Halsey Reveals She’s Currently “Not Permitted” to Release a New Album
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Halsey admitted that her 2024 album The Great Impersonator felt like “a failure” compared to the level of success she had reached with past projects.
Halsey is opening up about why new music isn’t on the horizon just yet.
In a Sept. 18 interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, the 30-year-old artist admitted, “I can’t make an album right now. I’m not allowed to. That’s the reality.”
She explained that her most recent project, The Great Impersonator, is the reason behind the pause, as the record “didn’t perform the way they wanted it to.” Released on Oct. 25, 2024, the album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
“If I’m being completely honest, the album moved 100,000 copies in its first week,” Halsey said. “That’s actually a huge first week, especially for someone who hasn’t had a hit in a while. My My Last Trick Tour was the biggest-selling tour of my career. But they wanted Manic numbers from me.”
Her 2020 album Manic included the smash single Without Me, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and has since gone six times platinum. Comparing the two eras, Halsey reflected: “For most artists, 100,000 in the first week would be considered a major success — especially when physical album sales are nearly obsolete. But for me, in the context of what I’ve done before, it’s seen as a failure. That’s the hardest part about once being a pop star. I’m not one anymore, but I’m still measured against people I don’t consider my peers.”
The Colors singer is now signed to Columbia Records, having parted ways with Capitol Records in 2023 after releasing her first four albums with them, beginning with her 2015 debut Badlands.
Despite the industry pressures, Halsey’s career momentum remains strong. Her most recent tour, which ran from May through July 2025, sold out rapidly across 32 shows, starting in Concord, California, and closing in Highland, California. She’s also gearing up for the Back to Badlands Tour in Los Angeles, celebrating the 10th anniversary of her debut record.
Reflecting on her journey, Halsey credited her fans for keeping her going: “I’m so grateful for such a dedicated fanbase.”