Em Beihold on Her Debut Album & Becoming Herself Again

On February 5, 2026, Universal Music Group’s 1824 hosted a virtual press conference where Not On Stage had the exciting opportunity to chat with Em Beihold, the quirky singer-songwriter behind the breakout 2022 hit, “Numb Little Bug”.

It was here Beihold gave us an intimate look into her upcoming debut album, “Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter”. The long-awaited project was explored in depth with vibrant storytelling that Beihold is known for. So far, the artist has released three singles ahead of the album’s release: “Brutus”, “Hot Goblin”, and “Scared of the Dark”.

“It’s not, like, an intentional choice, but I have this strange gut, knee-jerk reaction to write songs describing creatures,” Em told us regarding her songwriting for the album, after more than one attendee noted other-worldly/whimsical /magical beings are mentioned.

When asked if any songs were especially challenging to write /record for the album, the singer paused for a moment before responding, “A lot of the ways these songs came together was piece by piece”, citing the album’s single, “Scared of the Dark”, which Beihold revealed she wrote when she was 13 years old. The rest of the album, she told us, came years later. “With the song “Lottery” on the album, that one took a few tries to get right [for the album]. And things were changing [with the song] even two years later”.

The album title, “Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter”, reflects who Beihold really is, hence having to “shift” to find herself again. “I just took a step back from what people describe as “[music] industrial importance …I’ve gotten back to where it’s like, I’m not feeling the pressure to be on the radio again [after “Numb Little Bug” became a hit]. Really just making music that feels “me” even if it didn’t get anywhere near [the commercial success of] “Numb Little Bug”. I’m truly fine with that”.

After going through a low period in her life (“reaching a low that I didn’t realize was possible” she emphasized), it’s clear that Em is in a much better headspace, as she now has the opportunity to create music that she’s always wanted to make. Never one to shy away from difficult topics, Em stressed the importance of discussing mental health in her music, “I’ve always been someone who just says exactly what’s on my mind. And I don’t feel embarrassed at all by mental health and saying how I feel”, a small smile appeared on her face as the singer concluded with, “If I can make people feel less alone, I feel like that’s my purpose”.

Attendees were also given an exclusive first listen of two upcoming tracks off the album: “Unicorn” & “Van Gogh”. The former can be described as a bouncy tune about wanting your significant other not view /treat you like the rest. “I’m your unicorn,” Em chirps as a friendly reminder to this person in the chorus.

The latter has a mystical instrumental introduction. From there, Beihold makes clear that she’s no longer the girl she used to be (“I'm never gonna be the girl you thought / I'm never gonna find a way to stop”). The singer insists that she’ll, like the famous painter himself, “cut my ear right off (Ah) / Right (Ah) off, right off”. While I’m aware of what happened to Van Gogh’s ear, hearing Beihold tell listeners she’ll - metaphorically - cut her ear off was slightly jarring to hear juxtaposed against the ethereal music. Still refreshing, appearednonetheless.

“Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter” will hit stores /streaming platforms on Friday February 27th!