After 25 years in the spotlight, the Lebanese superstar opens a new chapter with ELISSAR, her 14th and most personal album yet. In an intimate conversation, she reflects on identity, love, independence, the lessons of experience and the freedom of finally being comfortable with who you are.
For more than two decades, Elissa has been the voice behind countless love stories, heartbreaks and unforgettable memories. Now, with ELISSAR, she takes a more personal approach, naming her 14th album after the woman behind the superstar.
Independently produced under her own label, E-Records, and released through a new global partnership with Believe Artist Services, the 14-track album marks a return to her musical roots and a renewed sense of creative freedom.
But beyond the music, ELISSAR tells the story of a woman who has evolved, experienced and learned to trust herself more than ever. We sit down with Elissa to talk about the person behind the name and the journey that brought her here.
After more than 25 years as Elissa, you have chosen to call your new album ELISSAR, your birth name. Is this your way of introducing the world to the woman behind the artist?
I think it is more about bringing the two sides of myself closer together. Elissa is the artist people have known and loved for years, while Elissar is the woman behind that journey, with all her experiences, memories and emotions. I have changed and evolved, and I wanted this album to reflect who I am today. It is probably one of the most honest things I have done.
You have often been described as a strong woman. Does being strong ever become exhausting?
Of course. Nobody can be strong all the time. Sometimes you are tired, disappointed or simply need to disconnect from everything. I have learned that strength isn’t about pretending nothing hurts. It is about knowing when to step back, protect your peace and choose yourself. I think that is one of the most important lessons life has taught me.
Love has always been at the heart of your music. Has your understanding of love changed over the years?
Absolutely. Experience changes the way you see love. When you are younger, you may focus more on passion and emotions. As you grow, you understand that love also requires respect, trust and emotional security. I still believe in love, but I also believe that you should never lose yourself trying to keep someone in your life.
Was there a moment during the two years of creating ELISSAR when you questioned your decisions or felt like giving up?
There were challenging moments, both personally and professionally. Creating something so personal requires patience, and there were times when I needed to pause and rethink certain things. But I never lost sight of what I wanted. I wanted to protect my artistic vision, and eventually I reached a point where I felt genuinely liberated. I could finally create without compromising what I believed in.
You have taken greater control of your music through E-Records. Has independence changed the way you see yourself as an artist?
Definitely. Independence comes with responsibility, but it also gives you freedom. I want to be involved in the decisions that shape my music and know that the final result represents my vision. It isn’t always easy, but I would rather take responsibility for my choices than compromise something I genuinely believe in. My new partnership with Believe Artist Services also gives us the opportunity to bring this music to a wider international audience.
You have chosen to release all 14 songs simultaneously, without prioritizing a lead single or releasing a music video at launch. Why?
I wanted people to discover the album naturally. Every song has its own story and deserves the opportunity to connect with listeners. I didn’t want to tell people which song they should love or direct their attention towards one particular track. I want them to listen, explore and find their own favourites. Music should be experienced emotionally, not only through numbers and trends.
You reunite with Marwan Khoury on three songs and collaborate with some of the Arab world’s leading composers. What makes a song special enough for you to choose it?
The emotion. I need to feel something when I hear a song. Sometimes it is the melody, sometimes the lyrics, but I have to believe in the story I am singing. Marwan and I share a long musical history, and working together again was very special. I also loved bringing different musical identities together on this album, from Egyptian and Lebanese songs to my first original Gulf Arabic song, Cheta El Riyadh.
What is something people might be surprised to discover about Elissar outside the spotlight?
That I appreciate very simple things. I love quiet moments, spending time at home and having space for myself. People sometimes imagine that an artist’s life is always glamorous and exciting, but I also value ordinary days. Sometimes the greatest luxury is simply having peace of mind.
If you could sit with the young Elissa who released Baddi Doub in 1998, what would you tell her?
I would tell her to trust herself, enjoy the journey and not be too hard on herself. I would tell her that there will be beautiful moments and difficult ones, but every experience will teach her something. Most importantly, I would tell her never to lose the passion that made her want to sing in the first place.
After everything you have achieved, do you still feel you have something to prove? And what do you hope people take away from ELISSAR?
Honestly, I think I have reached a point in my life where I no longer feel the need to prove myself. I still have dreams and ambitions, but today I want to create because I believe in what I am doing and because it makes me happy.
With ELISSAR, I hope people discover something of themselves in the songs. There is love, disappointment, happiness, strength and vulnerability. I hope every listener finds a track that reminds them of someone or takes them back to a particular moment in their life. For me, this album is personal, but once the music reaches people, it becomes part of their stories too.
ELISSAR — BACK TO BASICS
Fourteen songs. One personal story. A return to herself.
Independently produced under E-Records and released in partnership with Believe Artist Services.
