Gwen Stefani Celebrates 20 Years of ‘L.A.M.B.’: Reflects on Making Her Debut Solo Album

Twenty years after the release of her first solo album, ‘Love.Angel.Music.Baby’, Gwen Stefani is looking back on the process of making it. Stefani at that time had just left No Doubt and had no family responsibilities, so she was experimenting with independence at the time. During this “unhinged” time, she felt free to create a high-energy dance album to create something only for enjoyment.

With a clear aim, Stefani entered the solo scene in 2004 after becoming well-known with No Doubt. Before the days of easy internet access, she had painstakingly put together a style called “Bible,” collecting references from publications for everything she liked, from clothing to beauty to music style.

Image Courtesy: People 

Notable songs on her debut were ‘What You Waiting For,’ ‘Rich Girl,’ and the blockbuster single ‘Hollaback Girl,’ which she co-wrote with Pharrell Williams. She believes the song’s lighthearted “bananas” chant was a happy, joyous moment and remembers the strong, defiant spirit she came to the studio for ‘Hollaback Girl,’ wanting to prove herself after receiving criticism.

After ‘L.A.M.B’, Stefani released ‘The Sweet Escape’ in 2006 and ‘This Is What the Truth Feels Like’ ten years later, both of which reached the top of the Billboard charts. ‘Bouquet’, her fourth solo album, is now scheduled for release on 15th November. The song “Purple Irises,” a duet with her husband, country music star Blake Shelton, is featured on this most recent album, which was influenced by yacht rock. Stefani, who wed Shelton in 2021, talks about the changes in her life in the last few years. Her new path, where she finds happiness with Shelton and their family, is reflected in the album. “It’s writing a song,” Stefani reflects when asked what her purpose is.

–Farheen Ali