During a guest appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Cassadee Pope performed her latest song, “What The Stars See,” featuring Karen Fairchild and Lindsay Ell. But perform wasn’t the only thing Pope was there to do, as she also announced her upcoming album Thrive.
“I’m so honored to be revealing that on your show,” Pope told the host of revealing the project’s title. “I’m so proud of it. During the pandemic, I did a lot of reflecting, like everybody, I’m sure, and just kind of incorporating my punk-pop roots into my music now. I’ve been always singing country music as a kid, but pop-punk has always been a part of my journey as well, so I just kind of found this sweet spot of incorporating all of that and finding that blend. I hope that people get that from the album.
The appearance was a reunion of sorts for the two as Clarkson had enlisted Pope to help mentor her team on NBC’s The Voice, the show that gave Pope a national platform.
“I’ve been a fan of Kelly’s since her first audition on ‘American Idol.’ To have been invited to her show is such an honor and I’m so glad her show is where I officially make my album announcement,” Pope said in a press release. “I wanted to name the album ‘Thrive’ because that word explodes with empowerment and endurance. The title track talks about not just surviving something but thriving from it, and I’m at a point in my life where I can see how the hard times were necessary. I also feel so unapologetically me in this new project which makes me thrive in every sense of the word!”
To celebrate Thrive, Pope is sharing the second single “Say It First” today (7/9). The track was co-written by the songstress with Ross Copperman and Heather Morgan. In “Say It First,” lyrics follow a relationship needing to end and someone finally stepping up to be the “bad guy” and making the final decision to be the one to call things off.
“’Say It First’ is a song I wrote about how tough of a position it is to be the one to end a relationship when you both know it’s already over,” says Pope of the track. “Being the ‘bad guy’ just because you said what you both were thinking comes with the territory. But not saying anything just isn’t an option. I love the nostalgic approach with the production and how it feels angsty but still vulnerable.”
Thrive, Cassadee Pope’s ninth career album, will debut this fall. More details surrounding the record will be revealed in the coming weeks and months.