Singer-songwriter Halsey has recently revealed that her record label has blocked her from releasing new music, leaving fans uncertain when they will hear fresh material.
The 30-year-old artist is preparing a tour starting next month to mark the tenth anniversary of her debut album “Badlands”, following her most recent project, “The Great Impersonator”, released in 2024.
In an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music, Halsey said she is currently unable to record or release an album.
“I can’t make an album right now,” she said. “I’m not allowed to.” She explained that “The Great Impersonator” faced challenges despite a strong opening.
“If I’m being honest with you, the album sold 100,000 copies in the first week,” she said. “That’s a pretty big first week, especially for an artist who hasn’t had a hit in a long time. It was harder and harder for me to get records out.”
The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, just behind Tyler, the Creator’s surprise release “Chromakopia”.
While her following tour became the highest-selling of her career, the record’s performance did not match the double-platinum success of her 2020 album Manic.
“The tour is the highest-selling tour of my career, but they want Manic numbers from me,” she said. “I can’t do that every single time.”
Halsey reflected on the pressure of comparisons. “That’s the hardest part of having been a pop star once,” she said. “I’m not one anymore, but I am being compared to numbers and to other people that I don’t consider lateral to me.”
Since launching her career in 2014, Halsey has also faced significant health challenges. After the birth of her son in 2021, she was diagnosed in 2022 with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Sjögren’s syndrome, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).
Despite these conditions, she created “The Great Impersonator”, announcing it on Instagram with the message, “Long story short, I’m lucky to be alive. Short story long, I wrote an album.”
In June 2024, Halsey revealed additional health concerns in another Instagram post. “Thank you guys for the unbelievable amount of love for ‘The End’ and the support you’ve shown me since its release,” she wrote.
“I realise everyone is catching up with news I’ve held in for a very long time, and I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to share. You’ve all been so kind, so I want to share a bit more. In 2022, I was first diagnosed with Lupus SLE and then a rare T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder.
“Both are currently being managed or in remission, and I will likely have them for the duration of my life. After a rocky start, I slowly got everything under control with the help of amazing doctors.
“After two years, I’m feeling better, and I’m more grateful than ever to have music to turn to. I can’t wait to get back where I belong: with you all, singing and screaming my heart out.”
