Five years later, Ballerini has four No.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What was your goal with this new album?
That’s what I ended up writing about because that’s what I’ve been walking through and experiencing.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 14: Kelsea Ballerini visits Music Choice at Music Choice on February 14, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images).Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
So it’s kind of like the get-to-know-myself album.
Your first EP was self-titled.
Does releasing a record calledKelseafeel like a full-circle moment?
To me, that was what it represented.
It’s the record that puts us on a first-name basis.
It’s definitely a departure from the very beginning where that was my initial handshake to people.
Were there any new sounds you were going for while making the new album?
It’s always really walked that line of country but crossover.
Your last album had a big storytelling element throughout it.
Does that come easily?
Is figuring out the narrative of a song like Homecoming Queen?
one of the first parts of songwriting for you?
I was like, OK, so if that works like it did, I need to dig deeper.
And “Homecoming Queen?”
felt like the perfect introduction to all of that chapter of music.
TheKelseasingles youve released show both your fun and more vulnerable sides.
What are the next songs off the album that youre excited for people to hear?
All of it matters so much to me.
It’s hard to pick anything.
And thats for sure the case with this album.
Was your experience on NBCsSonglandinfluential at all in writing this album?
I think it was.
Country radio continues to have a problem with its lack of female musician airplay.
I think that the inequality is not just at country radio.
I think that’s definitely been where the conversation revolves.
I do think that streaming in general allows the playlists to be more than a top 40.
It allows people to have a lot more freedom with their music, which is really beautiful.
Does speaking out about the lack of women on country radio come more natural to you now?
This interview has been edited and condensed.
