Halsey Shares The Inspiration Behind Their New Album Cover

Friday was an extremely busy day for new music releases, Megan Thee Stallion hopped on "Butter" with BTS, Kendrick Lamar returned and Kanye West continued his rivalry with Drake. In the midst of all that went down, Halsey cut through and delivered their fourth studio album, If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power. Backed by striking guitars, heavy distortion and mesmerizing guitar riffs, the three-time iHeartRadio Music Award winner used the 12-track project to discuss adulthood, childbirth and so much more. Celebrating the release of the deeply personal project, Halsey spoke to Jazz Tangcay of Variety about the inspiration behind the If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power album artwork.

“This is a concept album about the joys and horrors of pregnancy and childbirth. It was very important to me that the cover art conveyed the sentiment of my journey over the past few months. The dichotomy of the Madonna and the W----," they explained.

Released in July, the If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power cover featured the pregnant star donning an orange couture dress as they stood elegantly in the New York Metropolitan Museum. With the world's most coveted artwork decorating the walls, Halsey moved through the museum slowly as photographer Lucas Garrido captured the renaissance look they were aiming for.

"The idea that me as a sexual being and my body as a vessel and gift to my child are two concepts that can co-exist peacefully and powerfully. My body has belonged to the world in many different ways the past few years, and this image is my means of reclaiming my autonomy and establishing my pride and strength as a life force for my human being," they added.

Garrido, designer Loree Rodkin and stylist Law Roach were equally invested and proud of the work they put together during the pandemic for this release.

“[The album cover] was about becoming susceptible to her energy, her thoughts, her feelings, her love and her explanation of who this woman was," Roach said.

“We have been locked away for so long, and to be back in that building and be around that inspiration was phenomenal.”

Fans of Halsey's latest work are in for a treat after Roach hinted to Variety that there is more to come.

“Stay tuned, because it’s incredible," Roach concluded.