Grimes Teases "Easy Listening" Album After "Performance Art" Phase, Following Controversial "Artificial Angels" Release

Experimental artist Grimes, born Claire Boucher, has announced plans for an "easy listening" album, titled "easy listening," to be released following her current "performance art" phase. The announcement, made via her social media, signals a potential stylistic shift for the artist known for her avant-garde electronic music. This revelation comes amidst recent controversy surrounding her latest album, "Artificial Angels."

In a tweet, Grimes stated, "I do have an easy listening album called 'easy listening' ready to go once I'm done assaulting yall with performance art." This suggests a departure from her typically complex and often challenging musical output. Her recent album, "Artificial Angels," released in October 2025, has already sparked significant debate due to its provocative artwork, which includes references to political activist Charlie Kirk and a murdered Ukrainian refugee, leading to accusations of insensitivity and satire.

Grimes has a history of artistic evolution, with her work spanning from the ethereal electro-pop of "Visions" to the grittier sound of "Art Angels." She has previously discussed a two-album project, "Book 1" and "Book 2," with one described as "extreme darkness and chaos" and the other as "highly collaborative and most glorious light." The "Artificial Angels" release appears to align with the former, suggesting the "easy listening" project could embody the latter.

The concept of an "easy listening" album from Grimes presents a stark contrast to her established persona, which often blends music with visual art, AI, and conceptual themes. Her career has been marked by a willingness to provoke and challenge audience expectations, making this potential foray into a more accessible genre a notable development. Fans and critics alike will be watching to see how this new direction integrates with her established artistic identity and whether it will be embraced or further fuel discussion about her creative choices.