Adam Lambert

DAM LAMBERT BELONGS TO THAT SUPER EXCLUSIVE CLUB OF alum—alongside the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson and Carrie Underwood—who have surpassed the level of success the reality show initially afforded them. Now, after years of touring with on March 19. “This album I made 100% for me.” Infused with soul and funk influences from the ’70s and ’80s, is a departure for the artist, moving back to the music he loved as a kid. “I wasn’t concerned with what was trending at the moment. Every time I hear a really good groove, like a classic groove, it makes me smile, it makes me move. So that was my very simple and yet still complex goal for this album.” Lambert, who in 2012 became the first openly gay artist to have an album debut at the top of the 200, says he thinks has “something running through the album about self-worth and self-love,” and hopes that it offers all people, but particularly LGBTQ+ people, a source of pride.