“I have my album title y’all,” Normani wrote on X (formerly Twitter) in June 2018. Since then, fans on social media have constantly followed up with the R&B-pop sensation about the album’s status.
Well, they no longer need to circle back. Normani has announced her first proper album, Dopamine, will arrive this year on RCA Records.
“Wheresthedamnalbum.com,” the singer posted on X on Wednesday (Feb. 21). The link goes to a landing page that confirms the album’s title and prompts visitors to pre-add on Apple Music or pre-save on Spotify.
https://t.co/iNzK1zmxGU https://t.co/tW8nbnTSZN
— Normani (@Normani) February 21, 2024
Normani went to Instagram to unveil the official cover art, which shows her in a two-piece ensemble on a black rocket ship. “Cryingg typing this rn. DOPAMINE THE ALBUM,” she wrote in the caption.
A release date for Dopamine has not been confirmed at this time.
Normani’s announcement comes six months after signing with a new management team, Brandon Creed and Lydia Asrat. “With new music on the horizon, and Asrat and Creed now at the helm of her musical career, she and the rest of her team are extremely excited to embark on this new chapter and partnership. She wishes Silverstein all the best,” Normani’s rep told Rolling Stone.
Dopamine will mark Normani’s first solo album since breaking from Fifth Harmony. In April 2018, she announced her deal with Keep Cool/RCA Records.
“I’m so incredibly grateful to be able to be in a place where I can explore myself as an artist and what I’m capable of,” Normani said in a statement. “Never in a million years did I think I would be in this position in 2018. Everyone has been so supportive and patient; thank you so much to my fans for giving me the opportunity.”
In February 2018, Normani joined Khalid for their smash single “Love Lies,” which now has over 916 million streams on Spotify.
After releasing her three-track Normani x Calvin Harris EP and her 6LACK-assisted “Waves” in the same year, Normani returned in August 2019 with her now-platinum debut single “Motivation.”
Two years later, she resurfaced with “Wild Side” featuring Cardi B. The Aaliyah-inspired song peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 1 at urban radio.
In March 2022, Normani released her vulnerable track, “Fair,” produced by HARV. “It captured me in the moment as I was experiencing in real-time,” Normani told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe.
“I was going through it emotionally that day. I wasn’t sure if I could even really pick myself up to go to the studio. But ended up, and this was a result. And it’s therapy for me. As much as it is for everyone else, it’s for me. It’s really crazy that putting this record out. I didn’t know that it was going to be for me too.”
Last year, the Atlanta-born singer teased a new song “Candy Paint” in a Bose ad. “As I evolve in this next chapter of my career, so has the sound I’ve curated. Every small element has an impact on how fans will hear my music — from the instrumentation, the tones, and the lyrics,” Normani said.
Regarding “Candy Paint,” Normani explained to Billboard: “I really wanted to create a record that allowed me to show my personality. I feel like there’s a misconception; it probably has everything to do with my social media.”
She continued, “I think that people think I’m so serious, which is the complete opposite [of me]. Anybody that knows me knows that I’m really funny. I’m a goofball! I love to twerk. I’m regular. I really wanted to create a record that encompassed that and allowed my personality to shine.”
An official tracklist for Dopamine has not been unveiled at this time.
Pre-save Normani’s debut album Dopamine here.