Empress Of Turns Personal Loss into Hopeful New Album 'Dream House'

Empress Of, the project of Lorely Rodriguez, has announced her new album 'Dream House,' a deeply personal follow-up to 2024's 'For Your Consideration.' The album arrives on September 18 via Giant Music and directly confronts the aftermath of the Altadena fires that destroyed Rodriguez's family home, according to Pitchfork.

PitchforkEmpress Of Announces New Album 'Dream House' Reflecting on Altadena Fires, Shares Lead Single "Wild Storm"

Alongside the album announcement, Rodriguez shared the lead single 'Wild Storm,' an uplifting track accompanied by a music video. According to Stereogum, the video was "shot on the rooftop of her new home," lending the song an unmistakable sense of resilience. Pitchfork also reported the video was directed by Mitch deQuilettes and filmed in the fire's aftermath.

StereogumEmpress Of Announces New Album Dream House, Shares "Wild Storm" Single

'Dream House' features collaborations with Cecile Believe, as noted by both outlets, as well as Blood Orange and Rodriguez's mother Reina, according to Stereogum. Rodriguez will celebrate the album's release with a show at New York's Music Hall of Williamsburg on September 30, Pitchfork confirmed.

"the new hopeful single"

Stereogum described the lead track as hopeful, a tone that permeates an album born from catastrophe. The contrast between the destruction referenced in the album's theme and the optimistic sound of 'Wild Storm' suggests a narrative of rebuilding, both physically and emotionally.

With 'Dream House,' Empress Of turns a devastating personal loss into a work of art that looks forward, capturing the process of finding stability after everything falls away. The project stands as a testament to moving through grief with creativity and purpose.