Brooklyn singer-songwriter Claud details third album, Me and the Music

Me and the Music is set to arrive as Claud's first release in three years, following 2023's Supermodels, and marks an emotional pivot for the artist. "She Doesn't Love Me" arrives as the first preview of the new songs, and is described as an unrequited love song with America positioned as a toxic girlfriend. The video also features fellow members of Shelly, including Clairo and Josh Mehling as well as Samia, Annie DiRusso, Hank Heaven, Josie Strick, Sammy Steiner, Harrison Allen, and Camille Johnson.

“I love the community I have in America and find so much optimism in people being united in seeking progress," Claud says, "This is a love song for that community.”

The ten tracks find Claud grappling with one main question: does everything have to feel so heavy all the time? To which they answer: things can be heavy, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun.

"I was just sick of taking everything so seriously," says Claud. "Such terrible things have happened in this country the last few years, but I've only grown closer to the people around me because of that. The world has shown me that the worst can happen, but it might just bring you closer to your community. There's a difference between being sincere with life and taking life too seriously."

Co-produced by Claud and John Congleton (Alvvays, St. Vincent), Me and the Music also marks a milestone in Claud's evolution as a producer, with encouragement from mentor Jack Antonoff.

Me and the Music artwork

Me and the Music tracklist

"Gay Witchcraft"
"Just Kidding"
"The Legend"
"She Doesn't Love Me"
"The Reach"
"Spells and Fortune Tellers"
"I Owe You"
"I'm too Sensitive"
"Me and the Music"
"Let's End on a Good Note"