Adam Lambert Gives World Premiere of New Song “Outlaws of Love”

Challenging the “one single before a steep drop into chart oblivion” curse of many American Idol alums, Adam Lambert has been working on his sophomore album – and doing things his way. Considering the contrast of his powerful AI performances of Season 8 and the “meh” quality of his debut single “Whataya Want From Me?”, following his own vision might be the best for connecting with fans, not to mention record sales.

But, while not much has been said about Lambert’s upcoming second album, the singer gave a world premiere on Friday of a new song, a track titled “Outlaws of Love,” expected to appear on the new release. Much like Lambert’s cover of Tears for Fears song “Mad World,” “Outlaws of Love,” despite its hair band implications, is slow and stripped down and allows Lambert to show off his range. Unlike the Max Martin-produced “Whataya Want From Me?”, a track originally intended for Pink, Lambert’s clear vocals are not bogged down by generic pop production. About the song, the singer told the crowd at its debut at St. Agathe en Feux Festival in Quebec: “All of the things I’ve been talking about over the past year, all of it boils down to acceptance and this is a song that I wrote about how it feels, that no matter where you go or where you turn, sometimes it feels like you’re just running from the law.”

Watch Lambert’s live performance below:

Lambert has supposedly written 18 to 20 new tracks for his upcoming album, and he has had a greater role in the writing process this time. Right now, Sia, Ryan Tedder, and Nikki Costa are expected to make guest appearances on the release. He stated: “I’m writing most of the material with people myself this time. I’m really involved. It’s really exciting because I think I’m making my dream album. I know that sounds a bit clichéd, but I’m making exactly what I want to listen to.”

Recently, the AI alum opened up about his experience on the reality television program on VH1’s Behind the Music, particularly about branding him and finalist Kris Allen and his sexuality. Lambert, however, has become one of the highest-paid performers from the show’s history, earning $6 million pre-tax from May 2010 to May 2011. But, while the Season 8 runner up has not put out any new material in the past year, he performed 116 concert dates during that time.