Jessica Simpson has wholeheartedly embraced sobriety, fostering a profound connection with her authentic self and artistic essence. She is poised to unveil an emotionally bare and unfiltered EP titled "Nashville Canyon Part 1," prioritizing authentic vibes over chart-topping success. Its lyrics mirror her personal growth and the poignant scars of heartbreak.
Following her separation from Eric Johnson, Jessica Simpson has also shared her evolving perspectives on love and loss. In a heartfelt interview with The Cut, Simpson opened up about how abstaining from alcohol enabled her to shed her fears, welcoming a more genuine portrayal of herself and finding inner peace.
Reflecting on her creative endeavors during her alcohol-fueled years, the 44-year-old singer reminisced, "Around 2016 and 2017, I was composing in Los Angeles with some of the industry's biggest hitmakers. There are songs from that era that remain unreleased because they didn't resonate with my true self." She recalled feeling disconnected while writing, saying, "Each time I penned down lyrics, a hint of fear crept in. It was almost overwhelming, especially given my drinking habits at the time." Simpson admitted that she once believed alcohol made her "cool," facilitating the creation of unexpected rhymes, but confessed, "I overanalyzed when I was under its influence."
The transformation was remarkable once Simpson bid farewell to alcohol. "My fears gradually disappeared, making it infinitely easier for me to tap into my artistic core," she revealed.
With "Nashville Canyon Part 1" on the horizon, Simpson makes it unequivocally clear that chart success is not her priority. Acknowledging the striking divergence from her previous work, she elaborated, "The creation of this EP wasn't about chasing hits; it was purely about capturing a unique vibe." She emphasized that the sound deliberately diverged from Los Angeles's prevailing trends. "There's a distinct lack of such authenticity in Los Angeles right now. It's rather formulaic. I yearned to break free from that mold personally," she asserted.
In this new musical era, Simpson isn't preoccupied with commercial success. "I couldn't care less if any song becomes a hit. I'm not affiliated with a record label. I don't anticipate it being aired on the radio," she shared with the Daily Mail. "I appreciate your understanding of how deeply personal this project is for me, marking a departure from my past selves. It's unmistakably me singing."
Her latest track is imbued with poignant lyrics, such as: "Proceed / Use my heart as your weapon / Double down, treating me like your whiskey." Elsewhere, she croons, "Imbibe me until you're intoxicated / One and done / On the lam / A restless soul / Shaking the reverberations / A believer's holy ghost / I'm the key, and you're the guardian / Here I come / Here I come / Don't misuse / Don't confuse / My love."
Simpson's new musical venture promises to be an emotionally charged odyssey. A confidant close to the singer told the Daily Mail, "She's pouring her heart out, and there's an abundance of pain in her voice. She's diving deep. She refers to it as the 'soundtrack to my soul.'"
"It's reminiscent of Alanis Morissette's 'Jagged Little Pill' album—raw and brimming with intense emotion. Her fans are in for a shocking surprise," the insider added.
Last year, Simpson teased that the album would revolve around someone who had wronged her, describing it as a personal apology to herself. "This comeback is deeply personal, an apology to myself for enduring what I didn't deserve," she posted on social media.
Returning to her country music roots, Simpson recorded her highly anticipated album in Nashville, Tennessee, last year. In an interview with People Magazine this week, the 44-year-old star disclosed how creating new music in Nashville helped mend her shattered heart, revealing the songs that sparked her journey back to her true voice.
This revelation came just a month after announcing the end of her decade-long marriage to Eric Johnson, with whom she shares three children. "I've grown immensely. I can endure so much," she said. "Perhaps I'm destined to love many people in my life."
Sharing her thoughts on love and loss, Simpson added, "I don't know why my heart endures such tumult, but I consider myself fortunate. At least I have my children, and Eric is still a significant part of my life and always will be."
