Brandi Carlile Releases Eighth Solo Album Returning to Myself

Brandi Carlile is releasing her eighth studio album, Returning to Myself, on October 24 via Interscope Records/Lost Highway. This marks her first solo project in four years and features production by Carlile alongside Andrew Watt, Aaron Dessner, and Justin Vernon, with contributions from a range of collaborators including her longtime bandmates and other notable musicians. The album explores themes of introspection and the complexity of being alone, with Carlile describing the experience as "not just a lonely, but a painfully boring thing to do," while emphasizing a nuanced view of co-dependency and togetherness. The lead single and title track, accompanied by a black-and-white music video directed by Floria Sigismondi, reflects Carlile's journey toward self-understanding and the paradox of seeking solitude amidst connection. Carlile articulates that true solitude for her is "being alone in a crowded room," highlighting the value of shared silence and presence with others. The album is a personal reflection on relationships, family, and the tension between independence and connection, themes underscored by Carlile's extensive life experiences and collaborations with icons like Elton John and Joni Mitchell.