For the first time in nearly a decade, J Lo is releasing new music. In November 2022, the "Marry Me" singer announced the title of her ninth studio album: "This Is Me . . . Now." The album is a sequel to her 2002 release, "This Is me . . . Then," which featured hits like "Jenny From the Block" feat. Styles P and Jadakiss and "All I Have" feat. LL Cool J.
"This Is Me . . . Now" is a celebration of love and will touch on Lopez's rekindled relationship with Ben Affleck in the form of "confessional songs, reflections on the trials of her past, and upbeat celebrations of love," according to a press release. "People think they know things about what happened to me along the way, the men I was with —— but they really have no idea, and a lot of times they get it so wrong," Lopez said of the upcoming release in an interview with Vogue. "There's a part of me that was hiding a side of myself from everyone. And I feel like I'm at a place in my life, finally, where I have something to say about it."
"True love does exist and some things do last forever and that's real."
Lopez added that the album is "emotionally raw" and "the most honest work she has ever done." "We captured me at this moment in time when I was reunited with the love of my life and we decided we were going to be together forever," she said in an Apple Music interview with Zane Lowe. "I think what the message of the album is very much if you were wondering if you have, like me at times, lost hope, almost given up, don't. Because true love does exist and some things do last forever and that's real. I want to put that message out into the world and that does take a lot of vulnerability."
The song "Midnight Trip to Vegas," specifically, was inspired by her spur-of-the-moment decision to tie the knot with Ben Affleck at the famous Little White Chapel in Las Vegas, she revealed on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in January. She later teased the song's romantic lyrics in her "On the JLo" newsletter. In addition to her romantic relationships, the album will explore her "tough childhood, unsuccessful relationships and the incredible emotional journey" she's endured. The autobiographical stories included in Lopez's upcoming album will also be reflected in other "personal projects" the singer has in the works.
"This Is Me . . . Now" is expected to drop sometime in the summer of 2023 and will feature tracks like "To Be Yours," "Can't Get Enough," "Rebound," "Greatest Love Story Never Told," and "Dear Ben Pt. II."
