To say Chloe x Halle have dominated an unprecedented year in music somehow still feels like an understatement. The Atlanta-born sister duo has been on a tear in 2020, connecting with new audiences while reintroducing themselves to day-one fans with a slew of awe-inspiring performances like their recent outing with NPR’s Tiny Desk. And in a year spent without live music, there was no better way to commemorate the release of Ungodly Hour, their most critically acclaimed work to date.
The 13-track LP resonated with audiences and earned its place on year-end lists from Rolling Stone, Variety and Time Magazine, largely due to the pair’s willingness to eschew the “angelic” image that was cast upon them in favor of flaunting their own imperfections. On songs like “Lonely” and “Wonder What She Thinks of Me,” Chloe x Halle lean into this vulnerability, flexing their seasoned writing chops while tackling the somewhat taboo – albeit universal – aspects of 20-something life and love. Halle acknowledges the intentionality behind this shift while reflecting on the album’s title. “The reason why we called it Ungodly Hour is because in the ungodly hour, you feel everything so deeply. Sometimes in the middle of the night, 3:00 to 4:00 AM, you truly are self-reflecting and all of your true feelings come to surface. These were the feelings that we were picking from to write with.”
In a year rife with uncertainty, Chloe x Halle’s sense of one-upmanship has been a constant as the pair continues to push the envelope a bit further with each successive performance. This time, the Bailey sisters are back for an exclusive rendition of “Don’t Make It Harder on Me” to close out their triumphant 2020 run. In keeping with the album’s darker undertones, the track stresses the difficulty of moving on to find new love while remaining stuck on a fling of the past. A collaboration with Honda Stage, the glossy release boasts elegant choreography and latex in abundance as the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriters impress with their flawlessly blended harmonies. Check out the performance below and read more about Chloe x Halle’s growth from wunderkind YouTube virality to genre-defining superstardom at Billboard.com/hondastage.
