American pop singer Madison Beer has released her third studio album, Locket, a record that masterfully blends sleek, accessible pop with profound personal exploration. The album, which arrived in January 2026, finds the artist confronting the lasting trauma of early fame and the raw pain of a recent relationship breakdown.
From Teenage Discovery to Personal Catharsis
Madison Beer's journey to this point has been far from conventional. Discovered by Justin Bieber in 2012, she was signed the following year at just 12 years old. Her adolescence was marred by a traumatic incident where private photographs were leaked online. In her 2023 memoir, The Half of It, she revealed diagnoses of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and struggles with depression and suicidal ideation. Locket is the confident sound of an artist processing this complex history while asserting control over her narrative.
Navigating Heartbreak and Healing
Written in the wake of an intense breakup, the album oscillates between vulnerability and empowered sensuality. The mid-tempo single "Bittersweet" captures this duality perfectly, with Beer's low, liquid voice mourning a love gone "down the drain" while simultaneously relishing her newfound freedom. Tracks like "Yes, Baby" and "Make You Mine" channel a bold, almost desperate sexuality, propelled by pounding rhythms and chunky chords where she confesses to building a "shrine" to a lover in her mind.
The atmosphere shifts to melancholic reflection on "For the Night," which features a bossa-tinged strum and lyrics depicting a depressive booty call. This mood bleeds into the French-style tristesse of the ballad "Nothing at All," where she admits, "I'm afraid of getting better." The song's elegant, Beatles-indebted melody twists are balanced by shimmery percussion and vocodered vocal distortions, showcasing Beer's adventurous approach to songwriting.
A Sonic Identity Forged from Influences
The album's sound is a compelling fusion, mixing the accessible, fluting pop of Ariana Grande with the brooding vintage aesthetic of Lana Del Rey. This blend creates a distinct edge, one potent enough for lingerie giant Victoria's Secret to select Beer for their 2025 fashion show. While the production is undeniably sleek and at times risks feeling frictionless, repeated listens reveal enduring layers of emotional authenticity beneath the shiny surface.
In a 2023 interview with Lana Del Rey, Beer expressed her love for unpredictable song structures and "weird chord progressions." This philosophy is evident throughout Locket, where unexpected melodic turns keep the listener engaged and elevate Beer's artistic game. The record ultimately succeeds as a sophisticated pop project that doesn't shy away from the real, sometimes painful, skin beneath the pouty poses and satiny sonic sheets.
