‘It’s a Real Rollercoaster’: Madison Beer’s Upcoming Album ‘Locket’ Finds Joy in the Contradictions

Tell me a little more about the story behind the music video.

I knew I wanted to cast someone as my boyfriend, or ex-boyfriend, in the video, just because I’ve never really done that before, and it felt like a fun opportunity. So we cast Sean Kaufman, who I’m sure a lot of people know from The Summer I Turned Pretty. He’s such a sweetheart—he was so incredible to work with. He made me feel so comfortable, and I was very nervous to be working with a real actor. But, yeah, I was listening to the song a bunch and I wanted it to be this bittersweet thing where I’m heartbroken and someone just dumped me, but there’s a parade happening and people are showing their support for me. There are fireworks, there’s literally a parade float going through the streets, and people are just trying to uplift me. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off was a huge inspiration for that scene—and then, at the end, you get a nice explanation for the album title.

Where did the title of Locket come from? Do you wear a locket?

When I picked the name, I was thinking of things that were just real and genuine to me. And to be honest, I was going through my camera roll a lot, and just seeing the things I photograph most often or gravitate towards. And I really love vintage stuff, I love antiques. I feel like lockets are very delicate and beautiful, and feminine, and they hold important things, and memories, and people, and places, and it just felt like the right title. I actually picked it before I’d even written a lot of the album.

As with the last album, you’ve been very hands-on—co-writing and co-producing every song, of course, but also co-directing all the videos. What is the payoff for you in being that deeply involved?