Art-pop musician Kelsey Lu has released their highly anticipated new album, 'So Help Me God', their first full-length project in seven years. The record, released on Dirty Hit on June 12, 2026, is described as a 'break-up album with a twist', focusing not on a romantic separation but on a profound disentanglement from their past and previous professional affiliations. This introspective journey is underpinned by an exploration of conflicted emotions and an embrace of newfound artistic autonomy, following a period of significant personal and professional shifts.
Since their 2019 album 'Blood', Lu has navigated a period of transition, including their departure from Columbia Records. During this time, they contributed to the soundtracks for the A24 drama 'Earth Mama' and the Netflix documentary 'Daughters', honing their compositional skills. These experiences appear to have informed the reflective and often wavering lyrical content of 'So Help Me God', which paradoxically emerges as a decisive and dynamic body of work, brimming with intentional and undaunted creative choices.
The album opens with the expansive, suite-like track 'Reaper', featuring jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington and a surprising writing credit from Kim Gordon. This track immediately establishes the album's rejuvenated ambition, with Lu confronting past relationships and the lingering pain of departure. Other notable collaborations include an avant-garde duet with Sampha on 'Better Than That', and co-production credits with Grammy-winning producer Jack Antonoff on tracks such as 'What Can I Do' and 'American Sonnet', the latter of which reimagines Wanda Coleman’s poem 'American Sonnet 18' into an atmospheric piano piece.
While 'So Help Me God' delves into experimental territories, it doesn't entirely abandon pop sensibilities. The track 'Running To Pain' is noted as a 'Blood' throwback, characterised by prominent synths and beats, demonstrating Lu's versatility. The album's sonic landscape is rich, blending elements of '60s jazz-soul with more disquieting, contemporary motifs that explore themes of emptiness and privation, yet still looking outwards for connection and understanding.
The album culminates with 'Cutting Off The Head Of A Ghost', a post-punk track that symbolises Lu's final disentanglement from toxic situations, whether romantic or professional. This closing piece reflects a journey towards self-knowledge and acceptance, showcasing an artist who has emerged from despondency with a clear purpose. 'So Help Me God' is framed as a testament to Lu's personal growth, documenting a metamorphosis and bringing their experimental ideas to fruition, making the seven-year wait worthwhile for fans and new listeners alike.