Halle’s Debut “Angel” shatters Expectations

Halle Bailey, the latter half of the iconic sister duo ChloexHalle, releases the hauntingly beautiful ballad “Angel”, as her solo debut.

From starring in the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid to winning several Grammy Awards with her sister on their sophomore album Ungodly Hour (ChloexHalle), Halle Bailey has been taking the world by storm for quite some time. Looking at her accolades and achievements, it’s clear to see that she is no ordinary person. However, in spite of her success in both the music and film industry, her unique position has its drawbacks, as with many popular celebrities. From bearing the brunt of racially-charged comments on her casting in her latest film to watching her sister Chloe Bailey face various forms of misogynoir in her own solo career, to just being a human being, Halle has put up with a lot in the past couple of years. 

In her debut solo single, titled “Angel”, Halle gracefully shares her heart while affirming her innate divinity as a Black woman. Over a dainty yet eerie piano track, she talks of her everyday struggles— swimming in her thoughts, getting stuck in her head, and feeling weighed down by the troubles of the world. 

But as the song continues, she refuses to fully give into these struggles, reckoning that “angels make a way somehow”, and giving herself grace to fall sometimes. It is truly an empowering thing to call out the Divine in you, and the music reflects this feeling as she comes to terms with this. With luxurious strings, a full choir backing her voice, and a fervently growing drum beat, she sweeps us in the journey of it all in such a cinematic way. How fitting for a Disney princess!

“Angel” is full of compelling dichotomies if you listen to it enough. Halle's soft and light vocals juxtapose her deeper words. And lyrically, she both affirms her innate divinity and magic as a Black woman; while at the same time refusing to give into perfection and allowing herself to be a flawed being. Everything is delicate and yet haunting at the same time. A sweetness with somber undertones lurking everywhere around it. This is no easy feat to achieve, but as Halle says, “Angels make a way somehow”.