Seven Years of Evolution: Kelsey Lu Announces New Studio Album 'So Help Me God'

The acclaimed cellist and songwriter Kelsey Lu is preparing to unveil her highly anticipated second studio album, titled So Help Me God. Scheduled for a global release on June 12, 2026, the project will be launched under the prestigious Dirty Hit label, marking a significant milestone in the artist's evolving career.

This upcoming collection represents a return to the full-length studio format after a seven-year hiatus following her debut masterpiece, Blood, released in 2019. During this extensive period of reflection, Lu did not remain idle; instead, she ventured far beyond traditional musical boundaries, immersing herself in multidisciplinary art projects and the creation of evocative film soundtracks.

According to the artist herself, So Help Me God is far more than just a collection of songs; it is a sonic architecture built with patience and intention. Lu describes the work as a deliberate manifestation of seven years of personal and creative metamorphosis, capturing a profound journey of growth and self-discovery.

The thematic core of the album delves into complex emotional and spiritual states, exploring the following concepts:

• The depth of spiritual and personal devotion
• The intensity of human desire
• The experience of internal collapse
• The subsequent process of becoming and renewal

Rather than a simple sequence of tracks, the record serves as a chronological documentation of change. It is a process of transformation that has been meticulously captured and preserved through sound, offering listeners a window into the artist's internal world during her time away from the spotlight.

The production of the album features an impressive roster of world-class collaborators, including:

• The soulful British singer-songwriter Sampha
• Renowned jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington
• The legendary experimental musician Kim Gordon

Kelsey Lu took a hands-on approach to the technical creation of the record, serving as a producer alongside the prolific Jack Antonoff and the innovative Yves Rothman. This collaborative synergy ensures a rich, multi-layered auditory experience that pushes the boundaries of contemporary music production.

Musically, Lu continues to occupy a unique space where various genres converge and dissolve. Her sound remains a sophisticated tapestry woven from several distinct influences:

• The structural elegance of neoclassical music
• The experimental edges of avant-pop
• The atmospheric textures of ambient soundscapes
• The ornate complexity of baroque arrangements

In this new work, these disparate elements appear to have coalesced into a more unified and singular vision. Early insights suggest that the album functions as a cohesive environment—a singular space for the listener to inhabit—rather than a mere assortment of different musical forms.

To celebrate the upcoming release, Kelsey Lu has announced a series of intimate, chamber-style performances. These exclusive events are set to take place in April 2026, with scheduled dates at the iconic Blue Note Jazz Club and various venues across Los Angeles.

These performances are intended to be more than just a promotional tour for the new material. Instead, they are framed as an open invitation for the audience to experience the album's emotional weight in a live, immersive setting before the official studio version arrives in June.

If her debut album Blood was characterized by a search for identity, then So Help Me God appears to be the sound of an artist who has found trust in the creative process itself. It is music that refuses to be rushed, demanding to be lived in and fully experienced by the listener.

Ultimately, this album may offer more than just new compositions; it captures the very moment of transition. It is the sound of moving from one state of being to another, providing a profound contribution to the global musical landscape and marking Lu's definitive return to the forefront of experimental music.