“Generation Blue” strikes perfectly the tone of the clichéd insult thrown at millennials for using irony to shield our/themselves from emotions. Niia’s “Generation Blue” is, at its core, a sad song about “a great big nothing” and “expensive sadness,” but the statement is detracted from with a buoyant, plucked violin and upbeat electronic yips and uh huh’s.
Niia sticks close to the strong yet sad women that have come before her, teaming up with Rhye’s Robin Hannibal and singing in the same sultry voice that makes Lana Del Rey so lovable. The song and video make me feel the same way — I would feel much more concerned for Niia’s emotions if “Generation Blue” didn’t include playful winks or the massive gloves that assuage any fears I have that fire will burn her.