Pop Perspective: Halsey’s “Not Afraid Anymore” Rated & Reviewed

At Idolator, the editors share a passion for high-quality pop. Occasionally, our tastes align. Other times, not so much. So, in the spirit of debate (and online drama), we’ve developed a recurring feature called Pop Perspective. In a nutshell, our editors dissect a particularly noteworthy pop-event, and give it a rating out of 10.

That way you’re getting a full spectrum of views and we can all vent. (It’s cheaper than therapy!) The latest track to be dragged under the Idolator microscope is Halsey’s contribution to the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack. Is “Not Afraid Anymore” the 22-year-old’s first solo smash or does it slightly missed the mark? Read our thoughts below.

Robbie Daw — 5/10

“Not Afraid Anymore” aims for peak eroticism, and is a much more mature step for Halsey than her 2016 mega-smash with The Chainsmokers, “Closer.” And it would be the stuff that cements superstar status for any young artist coming off a previous blockbuster hit… if it didn’t rely on the same formula as all these other tracks from the Fifty franchise: lumbering drum loop; menacing bass; intense synths.

Career-wise, landing a song in this flick is probably a good look for Halsey. Creatively, though, all the forced attempts at aural arousal are starting to feel routine and, quite frankly, get boring. Maybe it’s time to move on and start finding our kicks elsewhere.

Carl Williott — 5/10

Well, I like this better than Taylor and Zayn’s stilted attempt at a sexy ballad.

*checks to see what score I gave “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever”*

And I like it better than “Closer.”

*checks to see what score I gave “Closer”*

OK, so that means I have to give it a minimum of 5/10. Sounds about right. The song is pretty faceless — maybe to go along with the sex mask motif I dunno — that doesn’t amount to much more than a shade of grey.

Mike Wass — 6/10

Halsey’s had a really tough year, so I’m just going to wish her a speedy recovery and list the things I like about this song:

1. The original artwork is really dope. 2. It doesn’t equate to a sonic castration unlike that Zayn/Taylor abomination. 3. This is easily the best vocal I’ve heard from Halsey. 4. I love the lyric: “Crawling underneath my skin, sweet talk with a hint of sin.” 5. It definitely piques my interest for H2.

AVERAGE SCORE: 5.3/10

What would you rate the song out of 10? Let us know below, or by hitting us up on Facebook and Twitter!