Q: The previous album, "Discipline," sounded desperate to keep up with pop trends. This one sounds like it was made without that sort of agenda. How much do you pay attention to what's trending in pop?
A: There was really no concern about what is going on today. It wasn't about reintroducing her, because her fans are there. We wanted to make a record for those fans who have been there. What would they like that next album to sound like? We were aware of what's out there, and we always play records we love before we start recording. She loves Brazilian music, Gilberto Gil and artists like that we listened to a ton of that. We love Basement Jaxx, then Azealia Banks, Big Sean, and I went to Coachella because I wanted to see FKA Twigs. We want to soak everything up, and then shut it down and make our own album. If it sounded like it was forced, or we're chasing something, that's not what we're trying to do. We did isolate ourselves. Our partners in BMG did not know what the album would sound like till we finished. She's an indie artist with her own label, which is cool, because it allows her to make an album without pressure or expectations of sales. That was refreshing.
