Oh, 2024. What an extraordinary year it has turned out to be. Just as we believed pop tunes were becoming a tad mundane and predictable, Chappell Roan emerged to remind us of the impact of a grand, courageous chorus coupled with genuinely eccentric costume transformations. No artist has ascended to superstar levels with such natural flair in a single summer since Lady Gaga—something you’re undoubtedly already aware of. Hence, the looming curiosity surrounding 2025: Will there be a successor to her initial album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess? And, if it does materialize, what will its aesthetic, sound, and atmosphere be like?
Clearly, our knowledge is somewhat limited at present. The 26-year-old’s debut was only released towards the conclusion of last year, and it required an additional half-year to truly gather steam. Nonetheless, those who are truly observant might have picked up on a few hints scattered around. Presented here is all the information known to us concerning Roan’s second, as-yet-unidentified album to date.
She’s collaborating with producer Daniel Nigro once more
You might not instantly recognize the name, but you’ve undoubtedly encountered the songs Nigro has contributed to. The New York-based producer and songwriter has been involved in creating everything from Carly Rae Jepsen’s Emotion (2015) to Caroline Polachek’s Desire I Want to Turn Into You (2023), along with both of Olivia Rodrigo’s albums, Sour (2019) and Guts (2023). He also co-authored and produced Roan’s debut, demonstrating his adeptness at shaping a pop masterpiece. Both Roan and Nigro have confirmed their continued collaboration on the second album—which is reassuring, because if it isn’t broken, there’s no need to fix it, etc.
Five new compositions have been crafted, including “The Subway”
Last September, Roan informed Rolling Stone that she had already completed five or six songs. “We have a country tune. We have a dance-inspired track. There’s one with a strong ’80s vibe, an acoustic number, and a piece that exudes a natural, live-band feel with a ’70s atmosphere,” she disclosed. “It’s incredibly unusual.” Earlier this month, in a discussion with The New York Times, Nigro provided a comparable update. He mentioned a “lively, fast-paced country song” that includes “a fiddle. That’s all I’ll reveal. It’s a fresh version of Chappell.” In addition, there are “a few ballads and a mid-tempo rock piece.”