Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
“The focus of this album is on reflecting on myself in the mirror and examining my relationship habits and patterns,” the country star shared with PEOPLE.
Kelsea Ballerini is embarking on a new chapter.
The 31-year-old country star released her fifth studio album, Patterns, on Friday, October 25. This 15-track collection showcases some of her most candid songwriting as she navigates moving on from her divorce and embracing a new decade.
“I think there’s something that happens when you turn 30 where you start to evaluate your life,” Ballerini shared exclusively with PEOPLE. “I came up for air and thought, ‘Alright, let’s take a little inventory here. What do I love in my life right now? What feels uncomfortable? How have I contributed to both of these aspects? What are my patterns? And what do I want to work on and refine within myself? Also, in my closest relationships, what do I want to challenge, celebrate, and edit?’”
Ballerini added, “That’s really the central theme of the entire album. It’s a deep dive into self-assessment as I enter my thirties.”
Ballerini also gained clarity after experiencing her Saturn return.
“Mine really challenged me,” she admits, “and now that I’m coming out on the other side, I feel like, ‘Oh, it doesn’t mean everything is perfect and shiny, but I definitely have a better understanding of my life now.’”
Throughout the process of creating the album, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter experienced significant moments of self-discovery. She reflected, “I used to be a big-time ghoster.”
“Examining myself in the mirror and my relationship habits and patterns is central to this record,” Ballerini explains. “One thing I’ve come to realize is that in any relationship in my life—whether with my career, friends, or a partner—as soon as something feels intimidating or like it could go awry, my instinct and unhealthy pattern is to just bail. I think, ‘I’ll hurt myself before they have a chance to hurt me.’”
However, she feels she’s in a healthier place now that she has addressed that tendency.
“I’ve come to understand that this behavior doesn’t serve me well,” Ballerini explains. “Sometimes, the best thing for a friendship, relationship, or opportunity is to have those difficult conversations and navigate through challenging moments. When you emerge from that, there’s a lot of beauty in it, along with a deep mutual respect that comes from fighting for one another. I’m really proud to have finally tackled that in my personal life.”
In August 2022, Ballerini filed for divorce from fellow musician Morgan Evans, 39, after nearly five years of marriage. The aftermath of that separation inspired her acclaimed 2023 EP Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, and Patterns draws from her journey of moving forward since then; she started dating Outer Banks actor Chase Stokes, 32, in January of last year.
“I think it took me a moment after Welcome Mat to find my footing, come up for air, and truly understand what resonated so deeply about that project,” Ballerini reflects. “Then I had to figure out how to translate that into an album at a very different point in my life. Honestly, I had to allow myself the grace to live my life, to create experiences worth writing about, and to take my time. I’m naturally goal-oriented and tend to focus on consistently releasing new work and maintaining forward momentum. This time, I gave myself the space to make this album when it needed to happen.”