‘For Cryin’ Out Loud!’ Album Review: Personal, but Predictable

FINNEAS’s sophomore album “For Cryin’ Out Loud!” plunges listeners into a world of emotional highs and lows. The album delivers on many fronts, led by intimate lyrics and carefully crafted production — but it sometimes falls short of the innovation that FINNEAS is known for.

“For Cryin’ Out Loud!” opens with “Starfucker,” a searing reflection on the superficiality of fame. Starting with a strong piano melody, the song sets the tone for an album that vacillates between stripped-back vulnerability and rich instrumentation. FINNEAS’s lyrics are raw and confessional, capturing the disillusionment of being used for status rather than love. It’s a powerful beginning, signaling FINNEAS’s readiness to tackle themes of emotional exhaustion and the toll that relationships — romantic, platonic, and familial — can take​.

The emotional weight carries into “Cleats,” a standout track that explores unspoken love from a teenager’s perspective, referencing bleachers and quiet crushes. The song is nostalgic and anchored by a more upbeat sound. What makes “For Cryin’ Out Loud!” so engaging is FINNEAS’s ability to universalize his deeply personal experiences, and in “Cleats,” his feelings of longing and missed opportunity are something many can relate to — yet his distinctive voice makes it feel fresh and intimate​.

Despite its emotional depth, the album isn’t without its faults. While known for innovative production when working with his sister Billie Eilish, in this album FINNEAS sometimes relies too heavily on familiar formulas. For example, the title track “For Cryin’ Out Loud!” starts off strong but ultimately feels like a rehash of ideas we’ve seen in his previous work, lacking the lyrical complexity or sonic experimentation he has shown in the past. While the song’s repeated chorus captures the frustration of being in a one-sided relationship, it doesn’t quite hit the emotional climax that earlier tracks achieve. The production, though polished, errs on the safe side​. “For Cryin' Out Loud!” leaves listeners wanting more in terms of innovation. Some tracks, particularly those toward the latter half of the album, feel predictable.

Nevertheless, there are moments where FINNEAS shines, particularly in his exploration of family dynamics. “Family Feud” offers a deeply personal reflection on his relationship with Eilish and her rise to fame. The song’s acoustic arrangement allows the lyrics to take center stage, offering lines that are both tender and aching with vulnerability. It’s one of the most compelling songs on the album, and its honesty is what makes it resonate​.

While safer than some of his previous works, the sound throughout “For Cryin’ Out Loud!” still has its strengths. The instrumentation feels intentionally minimal in some places, such as in “Little Window,” where the quiet tension builds over time. Meanwhile, other tracks like “2001” are more upbeat and showcase a wider sonic range.

Ultimately, “For Cryin’ Out Loud!” is a solid album that highlights FINNEAS’s strengths as a songwriter and producer. It’s an emotionally charged record that delves into the complexities of relationships, family, and fame, and it displays FINNEAS’s ability to craft intimate, relatable narratives. However, its tendency to play it safe, particularly in terms of production, might leave listeners hoping for the more boundary-pushing work that FINNEAS is capable of. Still, for those who appreciate emotionally honest, well-produced indie-pop, this album delivers a satisfying, if not groundbreaking, listen.

—Staff writer Rachel A. Beard can be reached at rachel.beard@thecrimson.com.