Mastering Halsey's Signature Style
Released as a single from Hopeless Fountain Kingdom, "Bad at Love" showcases Halsey's unique blend of gritty pop vocals and rapid-fire lyricism. Unlike a standard ballad, this song demands high energy, rhythmic precision, and a lot of attitude.
The track is written in C Major and sits comfortably in the Mezzo-Soprano range (G3 to C5). However, the challenge lies in the stylistic shifts: moving from the conversational, rap-like verses to the soaring, belted chorus without losing your breath.
Phase 1: The Verses (Spoken Word Style)
The verses ("Got a boy back home in Michigan...") are delivered almost like a rap. The notes hover around G3-A3. Do not try to sing this too melodically. Keep it rhythmic and punchy.
Diction is key: The AI Coach will penalize mumbled words. Focus on crisp consonants, particularly on the ends of words, to ensure the storytelling comes through clearly.
Phase 2: The Pre-Chorus Build
As you move into "Look at me," the melody begins to lift. This is where you transition from chest voice speaking to a lighter mix. You want to build tension here, but don't give away all your power yet—save it for the drop.
Phase 3: The Chorus Drop
The chorus ("I'm bad at love!") hits the top of the range for this song (C5). This requires a confident chest-dominant mix. If you sing this in a light head voice, it will lose the necessary emotional grit.
To achieve Halsey's tone, you can incorporate a slight "vocal fry" at the onset of phrases, but be careful not to overdo it, as excessive fry can lead to vocal fatigue. Think of singing with a "smile" to brighten the resonance while keeping the chest connection strong.