Halsey is expanding their critically acclaimed fifth studio album. The Great Impersonator deluxe edition arrives May 1, nearly 18 months after the original October 2024 release.
The original album marked a profound creative turning point for the Grammy-nominated artist. Written and recorded while navigating diagnoses of lupus and a rare T-cell disorder, Halsey described it as the album they thought would be their last. The 18-track project debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, becoming their fifth consecutive album to reach the top two positions.
The original release was structured as a time-bending concept piece, with Halsey imagining their career had launched in four different eras: 1974, 1983, 1998, and the present day. The three “Letter to God” tracks anchor the album, each written from a different decade’s perspective. Critics praised the raw honesty, with NME giving a five-star review and Rolling Stone awarding four stars.
The album features collaborations with producers including Greg Kurstin, Stuart Price, and Michael Uzowuru. Standout tracks include the vulnerable “The End,” the Britney Spears-interpolating “Lucky,” and the fan-favorite “Ego” . Halsey’s son, Ender Ridley, receives writing credits on “I Believe in Magic” and “Letter to God (1998)”.
While the full tracklist for the deluxe edition remains under wraps, previous physical exclusives and digital bonuses for the album included songs such as “Alice of the Upper Class,” “Nothing,” “Lessons,” and “Charades” . Fans have been circulating wishlists for which of these B-sides will finally appear on streaming platforms.
The May 1 release date places the deluxe edition just days before the 2026 VMAs eligibility window closes. Columbia Records is expected to announce pre-order details and the full expanded tracklist in the coming days.
