Lauren Alaina Shares the Story Behind Stages, Her Most Private Album But

The final two years of Lauren Alaina’s life have been outlined by tragedy and pleasure, one proper after the opposite. And on her new album, Stages, the nation star shares her story.

Created throughout a reflective interval of “soul searching and really trying to realize what matters,” the brand new album follows the sudden demise of Alaina’s father and the delivery of her daughter, Beni. Both shook the 31-year-old singer-songwriter to her core, however in addition they kicked off a brand new life stage she has been calling “definitive.” The album arrives Aug. 28.

“I feel like I’ve just finally landed in my place,” Alaina tells Nashville Lifestyles. “I feel like most of my 20s I was looking for where I was meant to land, and I found it. I really did.” 

Known at present as the one solo nation feminine artist in historical past featured on a Diamond-certified tune, for “What Ifs” with Kane Brown, the previous American Idol contestant grew up within the public eye, constructing a profession whereas absorbing the bruises that include it. She endured high-profile breakups and battled an consuming dysfunction whereas additionally scoring No. 1 hits and turning into a Grand Ole Opry member.

On Stages, her honesty is probably the most hanging factor, together with one in all nation’s most assured vocals. Across 16 songs, she covers the messy fact of household life, “sewing my wild oats,” and the genesis of the undertaking. Alaina’s father, J.J., handed away in 2024 after a relapse with alcoholism, and one month later, she realized she would grow to be a mother. The songs got here quick and now unfold over three “stages,” which will probably be particularly clear on the album’s vinyl version. 

Her tune “Babies Raising Babies” incorporates a duet together with her brother, Tyler. “Walking on Broadway” is a post-breakup callback to “Walking in Memphis.” The country-trap anthem “All My Exes,” that includes Chase Matthew, is climbing the charts, and Alaina reunites with Kane Brown for “Never Been in Love,” all about discovering a life she had written off. Then, after “Little Things” makes peace together with her father’s passing, “Heaven Sent” welcomes new life. 

The theme is bold and pulled off with glowing nation charisma, and Alaina believes it may push her to the following stage. But none of it might be potential and not using a journey she could not management.

“Becoming a mom has changed everything about how I see myself,” she admits. Part of that’s the apparent change in position. Alaina went from being laser-focused on her profession to one thing else fully.

“You live your whole life being this person, and then your life becomes about someone else completely,” she says. “I live my life for my daughter now.” 

But it additionally got here with the reawakening of outdated challenges. Alaina desires her followers to know they do not should look or really feel like a mother influencer, and that maturity exhibits up within the songs.

“I just look different, but I’m proud of my body in a whole new way, and I’ve definitely had to deal with that,” she explains. “I’m trying to speak on that for women, too, because my body probably will never quite look the same again, and that’s okay.” 

She’ll showcase the entire expertise by headlining The Stages Tour this fall, which culminates together with her debut at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Nov. 12. Even that’s extra proof of her development.

Fifteen years after her first album, Wildflower, Alaina admits her Ryman second is lengthy overdue. But till now, she was too “scared” to go for it.

“It is time for me to do it. It’s probably been time before now, but it is my time to do it,” she says. “I am so excited. Nashville shows are the scariest shows, but I’m ready. I’m so ready.”