Halsey’s voice may be one of the most recognizable in pop, but right now, she’s being told to stay quiet—at least when it comes to making new music. In a candid interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, the 30-year-old artist revealed that her record label has effectively put the brakes on her next album. The reason? Her last release, The Great Impersonator, didn’t hit the commercial targets they were hoping for.

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“I can’t make an album right now—I’m not allowed to,” Halsey said plainly. That’s not just artistic frustration talking. It’s a stark reminder of how the music industry often treats creativity like a stock ticker. Her October 2024 album sold 100,000 copies in its first week and powered the highest-grossing tour of her career. But because it didn’t match the blockbuster success of her 2020 album Manic, the label’s response was: not good enough.

Let that sink in. A hundred thousand copies. A sold-out tour. And still, the gatekeepers want more. It’s the kind of pressure that turns past success into a trap. “They want Manic numbers from me… I can’t do that every single time,” she said. And really, who could?

Halsey—born Ashley Nicolette Frangipane—knows what it’s like to be at the top. Her hits once shared Billboard real estate with Ariana Grande. But she’s not chasing pop stardom anymore. “That’s the hardest part of having been a pop star once,” she admitted. “Because I’m not one anymore, but I’m being compared to numbers and to other people that I don’t consider lateral to me.”

This isn’t just about music. It’s about control. About an artist trying to reclaim her voice in a system that measures worth by algorithms and chart positions. And for fans, it’s a wake-up call: the songs that soundtrack our lives don’t always come easy. Sometimes, they’re fought for.

The Great Impersonator wasn’t just an album—it was a lifeline. A concept record that pulled from Halsey’s own health battles, including lupus and a bone marrow disorder. On “Letter to God (1983),” she sings, “Please, God, I don’t wanna be sick… get it over with quick.” That’s not just lyricism. That’s lived experience.

Thankfully, she’s doing better. In June 2024, Halsey shared on Instagram that after two years of struggle, she’s finally managing her conditions with the help of doctors. “I’m feeling better and I’m more grateful than ever to have music to turn to,” she wrote.

But gratitude doesn’t erase the grind. For artists like Halsey, healing and creating go hand in hand. And when the industry says “wait,” it’s not just a delay—it’s a denial of purpose. No word yet from Columbia Records, but the silence speaks volumes.

For anyone who’s ever felt boxed in by expectations—whether at work, in relationships, or in your own head—Halsey’s story hits home. It’s about fighting for your voice, even when the world wants you to whisper.


Source: ENews