Lauren Alaina has a lot of changes going on, in both her professional and her personal life. The American Idol alum signed with Big Loud Records last year, after spending her entire career on Mercury Records She is also engaged to marry Cameron Arnold, announcing the surprising — and exciting — news from the Grand Ole Opry stage in November. While she has yet to reveal a wedding date, or many details of her forthcoming ceremony, she does hint that her new music will be much different than anything she has released in the past.
“I signed with Big Loud. I’ve made quite a few big changes in my life in the last year. It’s been so much fun to rebrand myself,” Alaina tells People. “I haven’t shared it yet with the world, but I’m very excited. It’s going to be a little bit of a different sound for me than in the past. I think it’s by far going to be the best music I’ve ever done.”
Alaina says she is in “full planning mode” for her wedding, which will celebrate the union of two people who she admits couldn’t be any more different, which is precisely why their relationship works so well.
“He’s a good teammate,” boasts the singer. “He’s my best friend in the whole wide world. He wears a suit for work every day, and I’m not sure that he had any idea who I was when he met me. And I’m still not sure he fully does know who I am! I’m just kidding. But he’s very normal. He’s from Georgia like me. He’s just awesome.”
As for her new album, the 28-year-old previously said it would be “very country,” and very authentic to her.
“I would say that it really represents my personality well,” Alaina previously told Everything Nash. “I’ve just been writing for it and preparing and listening, but it represents Lauren Alaina from Rossville, Georgia, very well, I would say.”
Alaina has no regrets about her time on Mercury Records, which produced hits like “Road Less Traveled,” “Doin’ Fine” and more. But now, the Grand Ole Opry member is ready for a new season, one that more accurately represents who she is now.
“Sometimes I think it’s best to to do something different, and pivot a little bit,” Alaina acknowledged. “11 years into my career, it just felt like time to try something new. And I’m such a fan of [Big Loud Recods founders] Joey Moi and Seth England, and everything that they’re doing over at Big Loud. They take such a fresh approach to everything. They have a really young crew, and they don’t really do things by the book.
“They have very fresh perspectives on how to do things, and they believe in putting out a ton of music,” she adds. “So I think the thing I’m most excited about being over there is just their work ethic and how they view the industry. And obviously, it’s working.”
A release date for her new album has yet to be announced. Keep track of music and tour updates at LaurenAlainaOfficial.com.