Paris Hilton waited 18 years to release a new album. On ‘Infinite Icon,’ she’s here to ‘save pop music’

NEW YORK — Nearly two decades ago, Paris Hilton released her self-titled debut album “Paris” in 2006, at the height of her career – an album of upbeat pop that provided a soundtrack to her joyous, decadent lifestyle in front of the public, anchored by the reggae-lite adrenaline rush of “Stars Are Blind.”

She hasn’t given up on music since. In addition to her many projects (most recently a memoir, a documentary, an upcoming reboot of “The Simple Life” for Peacock called “Paris and Nicole: The Encore,” and an activism focused on addressing Utah’s teen industry after speaking out about the abuse she suffered at Provo Canyon School), she’s a DJ, and her long-awaited sophomore album “Infinite Icon” reflects her longtime interest in dance music and club culture.

“Music has always been a big passion of mine,” she told The Associated Press via Zoom. “Somebody had to come and save pop music. So here I am.”

But those expecting a copy-and-paste reprise of “Paris” should look elsewhere.

“My first album was very much about my life at that time. It was my Party Girl era. The songs are very carefree and fun, and about going out and being sexy and having a good time,” she continued. “This album definitely has a much deeper meaning, and I just wanted the songs to really reflect my life and my journey and be introspective.”

There’s “ADHD,” a song that reframes the diagnosis as a kind of superpower; “Legacy,” which she describes as an ode to her husband, children, and fans all rolled into one — an energetic electro-pop-punk track that feels like it was cut from “Paris” and modernized for a 2024 audience.

And lead single “I’m Free,” featuring Rina Sawayama, is a disco-pop celebration of autonomy. For Hilton, that feeling has many different meanings.

“What I went through at Provo Canyon School was so traumatic and painful. And I remember the first song I heard when I walked out of there was ‘Free’ by Ultra Naté,” she says. The song became her anthem, and when it came time to write her first single, she wanted to pay homage to the song that resonated with her at the time.

To make “Infinite Icon,” Hilton teamed up with Sia, who executive produced the record. The duo met after performing “Stars Are Blind” with Miley Cyrus at Miley’s New Year’s Eve party on Dec. 1, 2022. Sia told Hilton she was “born to be a pop star,” and so they got to work, bringing in a team of all-star women to collaborate with: Sawayama, Megan Trainor, Megan Thee Stallion and Maria Becerra.

“It was really important to me to make this album with all the women,” she says.

“I just wanted this album to be really about female empowerment,” she adds. “Just songs for my girls, my gays, and songs to make people feel alive. I want everyone who listens to this album to feel like their own unapologetic icon.”