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Watch Me, As I Run Through The Meadows of Our Love is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Lena, released on June 30, 2028, through Deep End Records via Republic Records. The album received critical acclaim and was considered Lena's best work to date.

The album was produced by Lena and Chipp and features eleven tracks, with a total runtime of 47 minutes and 23 seconds. The album's overall sound is a fusion of indie rock, synth-pop, and folk-pop, with hints of hyperpop. The album deals with themes of love, loss, and self-discovery.

The lead single, "Embers", was released on May 12, 2028, and was praised for its emotive lyrics and powerful vocals. The second single, "Tokyo", was released on June 29, 2028, and was also highly praised for its catchy melody and production.

Background
After the successful tour for "Silhouettes," Lena decided to take a hiatus to focus on her personal life and recharge creatively. During this time, she also began work on a project centered around her experiences traveling in Japan. The project was set to include songs that incorporated traditional Japanese instrumentation and themes, but Lena ultimately decided to scrap the project due to feeling that it didn't fully capture her artistic vision.

Following the decision to abandon the Japan project, Lena started working on what would eventually become "Watch Me, As I Run Through The Meadows of Our Love." The album was created with the help of frequent collaborator Chipp, with whom Lena co-wrote and co-produced every song on the album.

The album is described as a departure from Lena's earlier works, with a focus on indie rock with influences of synth pop, folk pop, and hints of hyperpop. The album deals with themes of love, loss, and self-discovery, and is often praised for its honesty and vulnerability.

Writing and production
The writing and production of Lena's third studio album, "Watch Me, As I Run Through The Meadows of Our Love," involved a close collaboration between Lena and producer Chipp. The album was recorded at various studios around the world, including in Los Angeles, London, and Tokyo.

The album's writing process began shortly after Lena's 2026 world tour, during which she took a hiatus from music to focus on personal projects and collaborations with other artists. Lena has cited this break as a key factor in her creative development and approach to songwriting for this album.

Lena and Chipp co-wrote and co-produced all 11 tracks on the album, which features a blend of indie rock, synth pop, folk pop, and hints of hyperpop. Lena has stated that she wanted to experiment with new sounds and genres while still maintaining a cohesive overall sound for the album.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Lena described the writing and production process for the album as "intense but incredibly rewarding." She cited her close collaboration with Chipp as a key factor in the album's success, noting that they were able to push each other creatively and try new things with each track.

Music and lyrics
"Nihilism" - The opening track of the album sets the tone with a melancholic synth-pop melody and introspective lyrics about the futility of existence. Lena's vocals are haunting and emotive, and the production is layered and atmospheric.

"Embers" - The lead single of the album, "Embers" is a driving indie rock track with an anthemic chorus and powerful guitar riffs. The lyrics deal with the aftermath of a failed relationship and the struggle to move on.

"Diligence" - This track takes a folk-pop turn, with acoustic guitars and a lilting melody. The lyrics are introspective and deal with the theme of self-improvement and the desire to be better.

"Meadows" - The title track of the album, "Meadows" is a beautiful ballad with lush instrumentation and delicate vocals. The lyrics are romantic and whimsical, painting a picture of a beautiful, idyllic meadow where two lovers can run free.

"Keep Quiet" - Formerly known as "No One Knows," this track was renamed to better reflect the theme of the lyrics. The song is a moody synth-pop track with introspective lyrics about keeping secrets and withholding information.

"Cherry Blossom" - This track caused a stir among fans when it was revealed to sample "Cherry," a song from Lena's sophomore album "Twin Flame." "Cherry Blossom" is a dreamy synth-pop track with introspective lyrics about the passage of time and the transience of life.

"Watch Me" - The title track of the album, "Watch Me" is a bold indie rock track with a driving rhythm section and powerful vocals. The lyrics are empowering and deal with the theme of taking control of one's life and following one's dreams.

"Silver" - This track takes a turn towards hyperpop, with glitchy electronic beats and distorted vocals. The lyrics deal with the theme of finding oneself and accepting one's flaws. Lena sings about embracing her imperfections, with lines like "I'm not a diamond, I'm just silver / I'll tarnish and I'll rust, but I'll still shimmer." The song's production and lyrics convey a message of self-love and acceptance, with Lena's vocals switching between distorted and clear, reflecting the idea that we are not always perfect but still beautiful in our own way.

"Tokyo" - The second single of the album, "Tokyo" is a catchy synth-pop track with a bouncy melody and upbeat production. The lyrics deal with the theme of escape and the desire to leave behind the troubles of everyday life.

"Wildfire" - This track is a moody ballad with atmospheric production and emotive vocals. The lyrics deal with the theme of loss and the struggle to move on after a relationship ends.

"Run With Me (Meadows Reprise)" - The closing track of the album, "Run With Me" is a reprise of "Meadows," with stripped-down production and a more intimate vocal performance. The lyrics are romantic and hopeful, painting a picture of two lovers running through the meadows together.

Overall, "Watch Me, As I Run Through The Meadows of Our Love" showcases Lena's versatility as an artist, blending genres and styles to create a cohesive and introspective album. The lyrics are deeply personal and emotive, and the production is layered and atmospheric, creating a sonic landscape that draws the listener in.

Art direction
The album cover features Lena running through a meadow of wildflowers in a flowing black dress. The image is captured in sepia tones, giving it a vintage feel that complements the album's indie rock and folk pop sound. Lena's hair flows freely in the wind, and the expression on her face is one of pure joy and freedom.

The art direction for the album was overseen by Lena herself, who worked closely with a team of designers and photographers to create a cohesive visual identity for the project. The album's overall aesthetic is one of simplicity and natural beauty, with a focus on earthy tones and natural textures.

The album booklet features a collection of photographs that continue the theme of the album cover. Lena is seen running through meadows, sitting among flowers, and walking through forests, all in a flowing white dress that mirrors the one she wears on the cover. The photographs were taken by acclaimed photographer Amanda Mills, who captured Lena's natural beauty in a series of stunning images.

In addition to the album artwork, the packaging for "Watch Me, As I Run Through The Meadows of Our Love" also received praise for its attention to detail. The album was released on both vinyl and CD, with each format featuring unique artwork and packaging. The vinyl version was pressed on white vinyl, and the CD version was housed in a simple but elegant digipak.

Release and promotion
Lena began promoting the album in early June with a series of cryptic social media posts, teasing the album's title and release date. She also announced an upcoming single, "Tokyo", which was released on June 29, 2028, the day before the album's release.

To further promote the album, Lena made several appearances on talk shows, radio stations, and music festivals. She also held several meet and greet events with fans across the country, where she signed copies of the album and performed acoustic versions of some of the tracks.

In addition to traditional promotional tactics, Lena also utilized social media to connect with her fans and promote the album. She posted behind-the-scenes photos and videos from the recording and production process, as well as snippets of unreleased tracks to generate excitement among her followers.

The Meadows Tour commenced in May 2029.

Critical response
Critics praised the album's production and songwriting, with many noting Lena's growth as an artist. The album's themes of love, loss, and self-discovery were also lauded, with critics noting the emotional depth and vulnerability of the lyrics.

"Watch Me, As I Run Through The Meadows of Our Love" received a score of 94 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "universal acclaim". Critics from various publications gave high praise to the album, with many calling it Lena's best work to date.

The Rolling Stone magazine gave the album a perfect score of 5 out of 5, stating that "Lena's fourth studio album marks a significant step forward in her career, showcasing her artistry and versatility as both a songwriter and performer. 'Watch Me, As I Run Through The Meadows of Our Love' is a masterpiece that deserves all the accolades it will undoubtedly receive."

Pitchfork also gave the album high praise, with a score of 9.5 out of 10, stating that "Lena has delivered an album that is both personal and universal, exploring themes of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery with grace and honesty. 'Watch Me, As I Run Through The Meadows of Our Love' is a triumph of songwriting and production that solidifies Lena's place as one of the most talented artists of her generation."

Other publications such as NME, The Guardian, and Billboard also gave the album high marks, with many praising Lena's growth and evolution as an artist. The album was also noted for its cohesive and immersive storytelling, with each track building upon the themes and motifs of the album as a whole.

Accolades
Lena's album "Watch Me, As I Run Through The Meadows of Our Love" received critical acclaim upon its release and was praised for its songwriting, production, and overall artistic direction. As a result, the album received numerous accolades and nominations from various music industry organizations.

At the 2029 Grammy Awards, the album received two nominations, including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album, ultimately winning the former. Lena was praised for her songwriting and artistic vision on the album, with many critics citing it as her best work to date.

In addition to the Grammy Awards, the album also received nominations at the Brit Awards, the Billboard Music Awards, and the American Music Awards. The album was also recognized by various publications and music websites, including Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and NME.

Rolling Stone named "Watch Me, As I Run Through The Meadows of Our Love" as one of the best albums of the year, praising Lena's growth as a songwriter and the album's cohesive production. Pitchfork gave the album a positive review, highlighting Lena's emotive vocal performances and the album's lush instrumentation.

The album's lead single "Embers" also received critical acclaim, with the song being nominated for Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards and winning Best Pop Solo Performance at the Billboard Music Awards.