
I love New York City, but I can't stay at the Carlyle anymore, sings Kelsea Ballerini on Two Things, a song from her fifth studio album, PATTERNS, out now. On Thursday, however, the country star returned to the legendary Gotham hotel-the venue that inspired the poignant track-to celebrate the album drop with Spotify.
We invited Kelsea's top Spotify listeners in the New York area to an exclusive listening party at the hotel, creating a sense of nostalgia and intimacy that permeated the evening. Fans experienced the magic of PATTERNS the night before its official release, with Kelsea playing five songs from the album: Patterns, Baggage, We Broke Up, How Much Do You Love Me, and I Would, Would You. Finally, she surprised the room with her first-ever performance of Two Things before sitting down for a Q&A with Entertainment Tonight's Cassie DiLaura.
Kelsea Ballerini and Cassie DiLaura (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spotify)
Kelsea Ballerini (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spotify)
Kelsea Ballerini and guests (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spotify)
Kelsea Ballerini and guest (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spotify)
(Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spotify)
NEXT
The evening provided a special opportunity for Kelsea and her fans to connect on a personal level. By sharing the inspiration and stories behind PATTERNS, she invited listeners into her journey and creative process, fostering a deeper understanding of her artistry. See highlights from the conversation below.
On her process This is the most pressure I've ever put on myself to make a record, because I felt so grateful that there were new ears on my music, but then I also wanted to honor the people who had been on board since Love Me Like You Mean It.'
On the new album There's a lot on it. If you want a friendship song, it's there. If you want a falling-in-love song, it's there. If you want a I'm going to ram my head through a wall 'cause I'm so frustrated at someone' song, obviously, it's there-there's a couple of those!
I would argue that this is the most love-filled record I've ever made. I think the presence of love in every song is at the forefront. But to me, it's about the nuance of love. I think there's this really beautiful mutual journey that can happen when the newness wears off, and you're kind of left as two adults who have a whole past of life to sort through and then make one together. That's what I'm so proud of.
On playing Madison Square Garden for the first time next week I'm so excited. [The fact that it sold out before the album came out] makes me want to put on the best show I ever have. I haven't really toured this year. I really wanted some space to make the record, because last year was so tour-heavy, which was amazing. I'm glad I had some space to do other things, but my favorite thing in the world is A, writing songs, and then B-and I say this as a fan going to shows, too-there's this thing that happens when you go to a show, whether it's a really small room or a stadium. It's the most connected you ever feel to people, in my opinion. To yourself, or to the people that you go with, or to the artist onstage. It's just this big ball of energy and connection. I know that I certainly crave that and need that on both sides. I've really missed it.
On her own patterns I cut and ghost. When a relationship or a friendship or an opportunity feels like it's going a little bit different than how my Virgo control brain thought it was going to, I would rather break my own heart before anything else can. And that no longer serves me in my life, which I learned the hard way a lot. That is the biggest pattern of this album.
Stream PATTERNS on Spotify.
More from Spotify
15/09/2025
Global K-Pop sensation aespa is redefining what it means to be rich with the r...
15/09/2025
Every day, millions of people around the world turn to Spotify to enjoy the audi...
12/09/2025
For fans, we know how important it is to stay plugged into music culture and dis...
11/09/2025
RADAR, Spotify's program for emerging talent, recently hit a major milestone...
10/09/2025
Lossless on Spotify Premium is here.
Lossless audio has been one of the most a...
09/09/2025
Since 2020, Spotify's RADAR program has been a launchpad for emerging talent...
09/09/2025
In 2020, Spotify launched RADAR with a clear mission: to identify, nurture, and ...
09/09/2025
If you're on BookTok, you know the drill. You scroll, you tap, and suddenly your To Be Read list is overflowing with trending must-reads. Not unlike Spoti...
05/09/2025
Your listening habits are as unique as you are-and this year, Spotify has introduced a wave of new features to help you personalize your experience. From playli...
03/09/2025
Last week, Spotify and Netflix transformed Guastavino's in New York City int...
03/09/2025
For so many of us, movement is about more than just exercise-it's a way to b...
28/08/2025
Corridos have been a cornerstone of M sica Mexicana for generations, telling stories rooted in everyday life. Now, a new chapter is taking shape: motivational c...
28/08/2025
Los corridos han sido un pilar de la M sica Mexicana durante generaciones, contando historias enraizadas en la vida cotidiana. Ahora, un nuevo cap tulo est tom...
28/08/2025
Earlier this month, we promised our Verano Forever party would bring the heat, a...
27/08/2025
As summer days stretch out, long and languorous, listeners across the Northern H...
27/08/2025
It's the waning days of summer, and for anyone trying to squeeze in one more road trip before the leaves begin to turn, Spotify is here with a collection of...
26/08/2025
Spotify's Fan Life is back-and this time, the spotlight shines even brighter...
26/08/2025
Recommendations have always been at the heart of the Spotify experience. Friends...
25/08/2025
As summer winds down and backpacks come out, Gen Z isn't just heading back to class, they're shaping the soundtrack for a whole new season.
For Back to...
25/08/2025
When we launched Jam, the idea was simple: Music is better when it's shared. Since then, listeners around the world have been queuing up tracks, enjoying th...
22/08/2025
The wait is over: Stray Kids return with their fourth full-length album, KARMA. ...
22/08/2025
With their new album, hickey, out now, Aussie indie darlings Royel Otis decided ...
21/08/2025
Spotify and amra, the world's first and only global digital licensing collection society, have entered into a direct multi-territorial, multi-year licensing...
21/08/2025
Spotify is making it easier than ever to connect with your friends on Instagram ...
21/08/2025
From enemies-to-lovers banter to star-crossed soulmates battling curses, romanta...
20/08/2025
There's still plenty of summer left to soak up-and time to catch its hottest flicks. This year, blockbuster season is alive with remakes, superhero sagas, a...
19/08/2025
Spotify users around the world have soundtracked their everyday moments by creating nearly 9 billion playlists. Now, Premium users can take their creativity to ...
19/08/2025
Los usuarios de Spotify en todo el mundo han creado casi 9 mil millones de playl...
15/08/2025
On an otherwise ordinary Wednesday afternoon at one of New York City's most iconic museums, Spotify treated visitors to an extraordinary surprise. As patron...
15/08/2025
At 12:12 AM on August 12, Times Square lit up with something new: a bright-orang...
14/08/2025
Colombia siempre ha sido potencia en innovaci n musical! Desde la revoluci n del reggaet n en Medell n, pasando por las escenas indie y rockeras en Bogot , y el...
14/08/2025
Colombia has long been a powerhouse of musical innovation. From Medell n's reggaet n revolution to Bogot 's indie and rock scenes and Cali's salsa l...
14/08/2025
As the mercury rises and the days stretch long, Spotify has been turning up the vibrant sounds of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean with our Ver...
13/08/2025
Spotify and Kobalt, the world's largest independent music publisher, have entered into a direct, multiyear licensing agreement designed to deliver greater f...
13/08/2025
A vibrant blend of pop, hip-hop, R&B, electronic, and rock, K-Pop is more than just a genre in Mexico-it's a way of life. With more than 14 million K-Pop fa...
13/08/2025
Con una mezcla vibrante de pop, hip-hop, R&B, electr nica y rock, el K-Pop en M xico no es solo un g nero: es una forma de vida. Con m s de 14 millones de fans ...
13/08/2025
In the wake of the devastating July floods in Texas Hill Country-which experienc...
12/08/2025
Whether you're curating a playlist for your dorm, promoting an artist at a live show, or simply sharing your favorite album with friends, Spotify Codes make...
05/08/2025
Since we announced our global partnership with FC Barcelona in 2022, we've been finding new ways to unite the worlds of music and football-amplifying artist...
04/08/2025
At Spotify, we're committed to delivering a world-class, personalized experience for every user. To continue to innovate on our product offerings and featur...
04/08/2025
En Spotify, estamos comprometidos a ofrecer una experiencia personalizada y de primer nivel para cada usuario. Para seguir innovando en nuestras funciones y pro...
04/08/2025
No Spotify, temos o compromisso de oferecer uma experi ncia personalizada e de alto n vel para cada usu rio. Para continuar inovando em nossos produtos e recurs...
01/08/2025
Over the past six weeks, Spotify's been in the vibrant city of Durban in the...
31/07/2025
Next month, Spotify teams up with Live Nation Urban for an exciting new live mus...
30/07/2025
At Spotify, we're always working to enhance your listening experience and connect you more deeply with the artists and music you love. That means helping yo...
29/07/2025
Today, we announced our second quarter 2025 earnings, fueled by standout subscriber and MAU growth. In the first half of 2025, subscriber net additions grew mor...
29/07/2025
Idag rapporterar vi resultatet f r andra kvartalet 2025, med stark tillv xt av antalet prenumeranter och m natliga aktiva anv ndare. Under f rsta halv ret kade...
28/07/2025
Summer is here, and whether you're road-tripping, relaxing poolside, or hosting friends for a backyard barbecue, the right soundtrack can make every moment ...
28/07/2025
In 2021, Spotify launched Amplifika in Brazil as a dedicated program to foster t...
28/07/2025
Summer is the perfect time to dive into a new story, whether you're on the move or just looking for an escape. With Spotify Premium, eligible listeners in s...