Halsey and Lauren Jauregui are estranged lovers on new single
We are only one week away from the release of Halsey’s sophomore record Hopeless Fountain Kingdom. The pop star recently already treated us to the official first single ‘Now Or Never‘ and pre-order track ‘Eyes Closed’, co-written by The Weeknd, and now we receive ‘Strangers’, a duet with Fifth Harmony’s Lauren Jauregui, to get through the last week of anticipation. If anything, this song will make us look forward to the album even more!

‘Strangers’ was co-written by Halsey and Greg Kurstin, who also produced the track. The song is drenched in 80s sounding synths and some absolutely undeniable hooks. Lauren’s more raspy voice works wonders with Halsey’s more soft and sweet sound and their performance as two estranged lovers is totally believable. “She doesn’t kiss me on the mouth anymore, cause it’s more intimate than she thinks we should get”, Halsey sings in the first verse. In the middle-eight the ladies conclude: “I miss the thought of a forever you and me, but all you’re missing is my body”. The distance, the longing, the insecurity, it is all there in their mostly understated vocal delivery. Halsey explained in an interview that this was the first time she explicitly wrote about another girl and performed as a duet between these ladies, this is a brave and important step! Also, ‘Strangers’ is for sure one of the best things Halsey has ever put her name to!

Update: More than a year after the initial release, Halsey and Lauren finally dropped the video for ‘Strangers’. Those who expected a romantic love story between the two ladies, might need to adjust their expectations a little. Instead of making love, they fight each other until they bleed in a boxing match. Watch the video to see who comes out as the winner!