Hilary Duff’s new album, “Luck… or Something,” released Friday, is a candid exploration of marriage, motherhood, and the insecurities that accompany both, with the singer revealing a recurring dream about her husband, musician Matthew Koma, leaving her for another songwriter.
The album, Duff’s first in over a decade, was created in a recording studio attached to Koma’s home near the Van Nuys Airport, a space filled with musical equipment and a pink electric guitar gifted to Duff on her 16th birthday. The album marks a return to music after a period focused on acting and raising her four children: Luca, 13, from a previous marriage; Banks, 7; Mae, 4; and Townes, 20 months, with Koma.
Duff detailed her anxieties about Koma’s fidelity in a recent interview with Rolling Stone, admitting she often fears he will leave her for a fellow musician. “I always think Matt’s going to leave me for some coolio indie songwriter that he works with,” she said. Koma acknowledged the dream was “so insane but also incredibly real,” adding that such fears are “real things to get hung up on emotionally.”
The album delves into these personal anxieties, with songs addressing themes of estrangement from her sister, Haylie, and the challenges of maintaining a long-term relationship. The song “Roommates” describes a feeling of disconnection in marriage, with lyrics expressing a longing for the intensity of a relationship’s early stages. “Life is life-ing and pressure is pressuring me,” a line from the song, resonated with audiences during her recent live performances, according to Duff.
The creation of the album was a collaborative effort between Duff and Koma, who co-wrote and produced the record. Koma expressed a lack of concern for commercial success, stating, “I don’t give a f—,” and emphasizing the importance of Duff feeling satisfied with the work. He described the process as a way for Duff to “stretch” creatively after the demands of motherhood.
Duff’s return to music has been met with a positive response, including sold-out theater shows and an upcoming arena tour. However, the album’s release coincided with a viral essay by Ashley Tisdale that referenced a “toxic mom group” allegedly involving Duff and Mandy Moore, sparking online discussion and scrutiny. Duff acknowledged the attention, noting that public scrutiny is not new to her, and emphasizing the importance of focusing on her family and personal life.
Despite the pressures of fame and public perception, Duff expressed a sense of liberation and self-acceptance. “I’m finally at this place where I’m zero percent ashamed of my past and any of the things that used to embarrass me,” she said. She also reflected on her evolving understanding of sexuality, stating, “I finally feel like I know a lot about sex.”
Duff’s album arrives as part of a broader trend of female songwriters exploring personal and complex themes in their work, alongside artists like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Olivia Rodrigo. Duff acknowledged the impact of Swift, stating she “changed the game” for female artists. Duff signed with Atlantic Records to release the album, a decision she described as a positive experience, noting she was able to present a finished product without extensive label interference.
