NEW YORK – Suki Waterhouse has been busy in the music studio, working on her third album, “Loveland.” This follows her recently released sophomore album, “Memoir of A Sparklemuffin,” which came out in 2024. Waterhouse describes her creative journey as one of personal transformation. “I was looking for, like, a personal revolution,” she shared, highlighting how songwriting can lead to self-discovery. The album’s emotional centerpiece, “Loveland,” reflects this sentiment. “It’s always amazing to me how, you kind of write the album and you become it. You become somebody new from it,” she explained.
To infuse fresh energy into her music, Waterhouse collaborated with new talents, including songwriter Amy Allen and producer Aaron Dessner, known for his work with The National and pop stars like Taylor Swift. A surprising addition to the album is Mick Fleetwood from Fleetwood Mac, who contributed a drum track for the song “Morals.” Waterhouse connected with Fleetwood after starring in the limited series “Daisy Jones & the Six,” which many believe draws inspiration from Fleetwood Mac’s journey. “Maybe that’s what made me think to reach out,” she said, reflecting on the unique opportunity.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Waterhouse discussed the evolution she has experienced since becoming a mother to her daughter with partner Robert Pattinson. This life change has deeply influenced her songwriting. “There is inherently a friction there, that I think has been really deepened by becoming a parent,” she revealed. She expressed her initial fears about balancing motherhood with her artistic pursuits, saying, “I had a lot of insecurity and fear and doubt about how I was going to still have these two things exist at once.”
Waterhouse emphasizes that while her new album touches on her personal experiences, it’s not solely about her journey into motherhood. “I don’t think the record is like a record, really, about me, you wouldn’t listen to it and be like, ‘Oh, this is a ‘she’s just become a mum’ record,’” she clarified. However, themes of motherhood and identity are woven throughout, particularly in the song “Weirdo.”
When discussing how she navigates her personal experiences in her music while protecting her privacy, Waterhouse noted, “When I’m writing I don’t really think about that much at all because I also know that not everything that I write has to go on an album and be released into the public.” She explained that there’s a creative freedom in writing for herself, and later, a more commercial side that considers how the music will be received. “You’ve got the two different voices warring with each other,” she added, highlighting the internal struggle many artists face.
One of the standout tracks, “Notting Hill,” reflects on her past experiences living in London. “I sold my apartment and never really said goodbye to it because I had a baby in America,” she shared. The song serves as a tribute to a place filled with memories, both good and bad, and how quickly life can change with new responsibilities.
Waterhouse’s collaboration with Mick Fleetwood came as a delightful surprise. “When we got a response from Mick Fleetwood, I was kind of amazed,” she recalled. The collaboration led to incredible studio sessions, and she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with such a legendary musician.
As a devoted mother, Waterhouse finds joy in sharing her music with her daughter. “She knows now what I do,” Waterhouse said, sharing a sweet moment when her daughter recognized her as the woman with a guitar in a storybook. “I’m just like in heaven with her, just enjoying her so much and I feel so deeply grateful that I get to bring her with me,” she concluded.
