Halsey says label blocks her next album plans

Halsey has spent the past decade carving out a reputation as one of music’s most adventurous voices. Her albums mix sharp storytelling with fearless experimentation. Every release feels like a new chapter rather than a repeat of the last.

That approach has earned her a devoted global following and a string of sold-out tours. Fans now wonder what her next creative move will look like. The singer is reflecting on her journey, her art, and the road ahead.

This moment signals more than another album cycle. It raises questions about how artists evolve after years of headline-making success. The stage is set for her next era, whenever it arrives.

Keep reading to see what Halsey shared in a recent conversation that explains why her path forward is more complicated than it seems.

Halsey explains why she cannot record right now

In her Apple Music One interview with Zane Lowe on September 18, Halsey spoke candidly about the current pause in her recording plans. “I can’t make an album right now,” she said. “I’m not allowed to. It’s the reality.”

The singer pointed directly to her label’s reaction to The Great Impersonator. Released on October 25, 2024, the album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. That chart position would thrill most artists, but Halsey said it was not enough to meet internal expectations.

She added that the first-week numbers were actually strong. “If I’m being honest with you, the album sold 100,000 f—— copies first week,” Halsey told Lowe. “That’s a pretty big first week, especially for an artist who hasn’t had a hit in a long time.”

Still, the label views the project as an underperformance. They want figures that mirror the blockbuster success of her 2020 album Manic. That earlier release included the 6x platinum single “Without Me,” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Comparing the great impersonator to a manic

Halsey believes the comparison between the two albums is unfair. “It would be considered a success for most artists, 100,000 albums in the first week, in an era when we don’t sell physical music,” she said. “But it’s a failure in the context of the kind of success I’ve had previously.”

Manic arrived at a time when Halsey was firmly in pop’s top tier. The record spawned radio hits and earned multi-platinum certifications. That level of mainstream reach created a benchmark that now weighs on every future release.

The Great Impersonator, by contrast, was designed as an experimental concept album about death. It drew acclaim from loyal listeners but lacked a breakout single. Halsey noted that she no longer sees herself as a pop star in the same sense as before.

“That’s the hardest part of having been a pop star once,” she said. “Because I’m not one anymore, and I’m being compared to people that I don’t consider lateral to me.” The quote captures the tension between artistry and commercial expectations.

Touring success shows fan loyalty

While her label questions sales, Halsey’s live shows tell another story. She said her My Last Trick Tour became the highest-selling run of her entire career. The 32-date trek began in May 2025 in Concord, California, and wrapped in July in Highland, California.

Every stop sold out quickly, proving that her audience remains committed. Fans filled arenas for a set list that leaned heavily on The Great Impersonator alongside earlier hits. That enthusiasm helped Halsey push past the disappointment of label politics.

She is already planning a new road show. The upcoming Back to Badlands Tour will celebrate the 10th anniversary of her debut album Badlands. Dates begin in Los Angeles and are expected to draw long-time supporters from around the world.

Halsey said of her fans. “They support me.” Her words underscore how direct audience connection can outlast industry gatekeeping.

A changing label relationship

Halsey’s current label is Columbia Records. She joined after a 2023 split with Capitol Records, which had released her first four albums, including Badlands and Manic. The move was supposed to mark a fresh chapter.

Instead, she finds herself negotiating the same commercial pressures. Columbia reportedly wants numbers on par with Manic before approving a new project. That stance highlights the challenges artists face when switching labels without changing expectations.

Halsey remains pragmatic about the situation. She knows her catalog continues to generate strong ticket sales and steady streaming. Yet she also recognizes that studio time depends on executive confidence.

Until that changes, she plans to keep touring and writing privately. The creative drive that built her career has not faded. She simply needs the official go-ahead to share it with the public.

What does this mean for her next era?

The pause in recording does not mean silence from Halsey. She continues to collaborate with other artists and experiment with new sounds off the clock. Fans recently heard her alongside Amy Lee of Evanescence on the track “Hand That Feeds.”

She also explores striking visuals in music videos such as “Safeword,” which embraces a bold BDSM-inspired theme. These projects prove that she is far from creatively stalled. They also show how she can release music adjacent to album cycles.

Industry watchers note that changing market trends may eventually work in her favor. With streaming dominant and physical sales declining, labels often revisit their metrics when artists maintain strong touring demand. Halsey’s record-breaking live shows could become the leverage she needs.

For now, she asks fans to stay engaged. Continued streaming, merch purchases, and sold-out concerts all send a message. Those actions can help convince decision-makers that another Halsey album is worth the investment.

TL;DR

• Halsey told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe she “can’t make an album right now” because her label will not approve it.
• Her 2024 record, The Great Impersonator, sold 100,000 first-week copies and debuted at No. 2 but was labeled an underperformance.
• The singer’s My Last Trick Tour became the highest-selling of her career, showing strong fan loyalty.
• Columbia Records wants Manic-level numbers before allowing a new project.
• Halsey continues to tour and collaborate while waiting for the green light on her next full album.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.