While it is only January, the year 2026 is shaping up to be exceptionally significant for singer Ellie Goulding. The artist has already received a prestigious Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) honour for her dedicated services to biodiversity and climate action. Furthermore, she is preparing to welcome her second child in May, which will be her first with partner Beau Minniear.
A Deeply Personal New Musical Chapter
Amidst these life events, Goulding is also on the cusp of releasing her sixth studio album. In a candid interview with the latest issue of NYLON magazine, she confirmed the record is heavily inspired by her short-lived marriage to art dealer Caspar Jopling, the father of her four-year-old son, Arthur.
'It had always been the goal to start this album,' Goulding revealed. 'I didn’t know it was going to be a divorce album, but that’s the way it started heading.'
From Marriage Breakdown to Creative Spark
The singer married Jopling, the Harvard-educated grandson of Conservative MP Michael Jopling, Baron Jopling, in a ceremony at York Minster in 2019. Their son was born in 2021, but the couple confirmed their separation three years later. This difficult period ultimately became the creative catalyst for her new music.
'When I married my ex-husband, I thought it was for life. That will never go away,' she reflected. 'There are some songs that are necessary for me to acknowledge that time in my life and to be respectful of it.'
She added that some tracks were 'extremely reactionary and sad' and felt necessary in the moment, though they may not serve her long-term.
An Honest Studio Admission
The collapse of her marriage influenced the creative process from the very beginning. Goulding recounted having to inform her producer, Jack, about the separation on the very day they met.
'I knew that my marriage wasn’t working out, it was dark times… the day I met Jack was the day I was like, "Jack, I should be candid with you. Today, my husband and I decided we’re going to separate."'
Despite the raw and personal nature of the lyrics, Goulding stated that Jopling remains supportive of the project, at least for now.
'My label, my friends - everyone’s behind it,' she said. 'And even my ex-husband loves the songs… well, he hasn’t heard all the songs.'
Balancing Motherhood and Career
With the album expected for release before she gives birth, Goulding insists she is fully capable of managing her career alongside the demands of a new baby.
'I didn’t want to become just a pregnant woman first,' she explained. 'Not every woman has this luxury. I have amazing people around me. I have an amazing boyfriend. I do have it a little easier in that I do have amazing support. I’m still working every day and still writing every day.'
She emphasised, 'It’s a beautiful thing to be able to grow a child, and I feel very lucky that I’m healthy - but it’s not all I am right now.'
Motherhood Theme in NYLON Photoshoot
Motherhood is a central theme in her new cover shoot for NYLON, a collaboration with New York-based photographer César Buitrago. The striking images include one where she covers her baby bump with a T-shirt bearing the word 'Mother' while wearing black underwear, and another where she poses in a black bralette and cropped leather jacket.
A Return to Artistic Authenticity
Goulding is adamant that this new music represents a significant departure from any past artistic persona, marking a return to authenticity.
'I am grateful that my label is very cooperative with me no longer wishing to play that character anymore,' she stated. 'People don’t want fake. They don’t want characters. They don’t want somebody inauthentic.'
She described the creative process as a return to basics, focusing on instruments like the guitar.
'[The new music] was taking it back to basics for me, going back to instruments - which is so rudimental, but AI music is on the rise…I took it back to the guitar, which is where I first started. It aroused something in me that was innocent and pure from when I was 15, writing my first song.'
The full interview is available in the latest issue of NYLON, which is out now.
