With new album 'Velvet,' Adam Lambert reveals 'most authentic version of myself'

Get ready to hear from the real Adam Lambert.

In "Velvet," his new album out Friday, the singer who rose to fame on "American Idol" shifts his focus. This time around, he's performing for himself — not cranking out songs aimed at catching the ears of music and radio executives.

"'Velvet' reflects all parts of my personality when it comes to love: loving yourself, looking for love, love lost," he told USA TODAY. "It's the most authentic version of myself I've ever been."

There have been changes behind the scenes, as well, Lambert said. He's switched managers and record labels.

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"I was listening to a lot of Top 40 — what was next and what was new — playing the pop game," he said. "I realized at a certain point I was missing a trick. I had to look at things differently.

"This is about me being more in the driver's seat, making more decisions and compromising less. This is me, my vibe I want to put out. I co-wrote all the songs."

As he set out to craft "Velvet," an album four years in the making, Lambert, 38, turned to his childhood for inspiration. The result is a sound that's decidedly throwback.

"I dug up albums I listened to as a kid growing in my parents' house — a lot from the '70s and '80s," he said. "It was a lot of trial and error."

A number of songs on the album are already out — including "Roses," "Comin' in Hot" and "New Eyes" — offering a pretty good idea of what to expect, but Lambert says there are four previously unreleased tunes he's "excited for the fans to hear."

The theme of love and its many forms comes through loud and clear, in different ways, in each song.

Some are proactive. Take "Comin' in Hot," for example: "Comin' in hot, comin' in hot // No chill for me // Comin' in hot, comin' in hot // Red wine and weed // I want your touch, come put your hands on me // I want my love to feed your vanity // Comin' in hot"

Others, such as "Roses," show how fleeting love can be: "We talk the talk // We're skin to skin // But you just walk away // And all that I got was // Roses // Don't mean a thing without emotions // Baby just do it right // Focus // 'Cause I just needed your love // Tonight, tonight, tonight"

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Asked to pick a favorite, he had this to say: "They're all my favorites. If they weren't, they wouldn't be on there. It's super queer and I feel very proud about that."

Lambert, who has been on the road with Queen multiple times since 2011, is planning a tour of his own to showcase his latest release. Those plans are a bit up in the air though, as the coronavirus pandemic halts live performances across the globe.

"I'm definitely keeping an eye on it," he said. "We're fully aware we might have to move some stuff around. The timing may have to shift. I think it's necessary to keep everyone safe. We're trying to slow (the virus) down."

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Stage design work for the tour is currently in progress, Lambert said, and more details should be out soon.

"I'm excited to invite fans to come into this world," he said. "It's an escape, which right now is really needed. It wraps them up like a hug."

Looking ahead, beyond the tour, Lambert hopes to branch out a bit.

"I'm going to continue to make music," he said. "It's my first passion. But I'd like to try something different creatively, designing something, producing something. I want to be a part of the behind-the-scenes world."

They're all opportunities Lambert never could have imagined a decade ago when he was a groundbreaking contestant on "American Idol," belting out "Rock With You," "Bohemian Rhapsody" and more.

"I didn't even think I was going to get that far," he said. "Getting to the finals was mind-blowing. It was such a dream come true."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'American Idol' alum Adam Lambert shows true colors on 'Velvet' album