Gwen Stefani has reunited with her brother and former No Doubt bandmate Eric Stefani on her forthcoming album.
Days after dropping Let Me Reintroduce Myself – the lead track from her upcoming fifth solo album – Gwen tells Zane Lowe on Apple Music the collection is all about her collaborations with her co-writers.
“One thing I learned through my whole career is I have a huge ego, like we all do, and I always want to be the one to come with the idea or ‘I wrote that part’,” says the star. “It makes me feel so like I mean something.
“But this record so far has been a real collaboration, and all the stuff I’ve ever done that’s been good I think has been me being able to collaborate and inspire whoever I’m working with, whether it be designing a handbag or writing a song, everything it seems like.
“I have hooked up with all new writers this time around,” she adds, revealing Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, Busby, Greg Kurstin and Mozella have all contributed to the record.
Gwen also worked with newcomers Ross Golan and Luke Niccoli on the LP – who eventually led her to reconnecting creatively with Eric.
“I ended up calling my brother who I wrote Don’t Speak with, who was in No Doubt for nine years. Eric Stefani is his name,” recalls the hitmaker. “And he actually is playing on this record.
“So we all went to his house and get our masks on – There was just this incredible crazy moment to have him play on the record as well… It’s when it’s something’s meant to be and you just, like I said, open your heart and follow it. I feel like it was just meant to happen.”
Eric played keyboards, piano and guitar in No Doubt from 1986–1995 and appeared on the group’s first three albums: No Doubt, The Beacon Street Collection and Tragic Kingdom.
Gwen previously revealed she has “probably 20 songs” completed for the record, which follows her previous solo hits: Love. Angel. Music. Baby., The Sweet Escape, This Is What the Truth Feels Like and You Make It Feel Like Christmas.
