Chappell Roan, having graced the music world with three new singles subsequent to her critically acclaimed debut album, has recently confided to Vogue that fans may have to wait a considerable stretch of "at least five" years before they can indulge in her second full-length album. This revelation transpired on the set of her latest music video shoot for "The Subway," where she candidly admitted that her "second project is still in the realm of imagination."
Roan's maiden album, titled 'The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,' made its debut in September 2023, garnering six Grammy nominations and ultimately crowning her as the Best New Artist at the 2025 ceremony. Despite her subsequent singles – "The Giver," "Good Luck, Babe," and "The Subway" – receiving widespread attention, Roan stressed that these tracks do not constitute a cohesive album or a compilation of songs.
"Crafting the first album took me five years, and it's quite plausible that the next one will demand at least as much time," she shared about her sophomore effort. "I'm not the kind of composer who churns out music at will."
Roan further emphasized that forced creativity yields subpar results, stating, "I don't believe in making music under duress." She humorously acknowledged the criticisms aimed at her lack of studio presence, saying, "People sometimes remark, 'She's everywhere but in that blessed studio.' However, even if I were to spend twelve hours a day in the studio, it wouldn't expedite the album's creation."
Delving deeper into the process behind "The Subway," Roan admitted that perfecting the track was a labor of love that took an excruciatingly long time. "I wasn't mentally prepared to release it; it was too raw, too filled with anger and fear. My personal struggles made it difficult to let go," she confessed.
Crediting her current positive state of mind partly to her social media detox, Roan stressed, "Social media wreaks havoc on me and my art. I refuse to let it impact me negatively anymore." She continued, "Creating an album without the distractions of Instagram or any social platforms has been a revelation. The album-making journey is sacred and solely mine. TikTok doesn't get a sneak peek."
Roan premiered "The Subway" at Governors Ball in New York City in June 2024 but didn't make it available on streaming platforms until July 31. Sharing her excitement on Instagram, she penned, "I am immensely proud of this song and the journey it's undertaken. I first performed it at Governors Ball, painted green as Lady Liberty, and have always played new songs live to gauge their reception."
Directed by Amber Grace Johnson, the music video released on August 1 showcased Roan navigating New York City while reminiscing about a heartbreak on the subway. The visual narrative captured her emotional journey with poignant clarity.
