Madison Beer on Making ‘Bittersweet,’ Fan Feedback and Casting Sean Kaufman From ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ in the Music Video

Madison Beer, a two-time Grammy nominee, is pulling back the curtain on the creation of "bittersweet," the poignant new single from her forthcoming third studio album, "Locket," scheduled for a January 16 release. This track serves as the follow-up to the project's first single, "Yes Baby," and signals her musical return following her September 2023 album, "Silence Between Songs." Beer described the song as a pivotal moment she felt driven to capture, marking a significant turning point within the deeply personal narrative woven throughout the new record.

In a conversation for Variety’s Behind the Song, presented by TikTok, Beer highlighted the crucial role her fans played in shaping the sonic direction of her new work. She explained that touring provides immediate, visceral feedback on which parts of a performance resonate most powerfully with an audience. This direct connection influenced her decision to reintroduce ad-libs, a stylistic flourish she had heavily utilized earlier in her career. "My fans are always encouraging me to bring the spontaneity from my live shows into the studio," she noted, revealing that their encouragement led her to weave subtle ad-libs into "bittersweet," a choice that helped her rediscover a beloved aspect of her artistry.

The song's origins lie in a difficult personal experience that Beer felt compelled to process through her songwriting. "I was navigating something intensely emotional and real, and writing about it felt like a necessity," she shared. While the track centers on themes of heartbreak, it ultimately reflects a conscious choice toward personal growth. As one music critic, Dr. Alana Reed, observed, "Artists like Beer are increasingly using their platforms to document not just pain, but the complex journey toward healing, which resonates deeply with a generation valuing emotional authenticity."

Beer's long-standing creative partnership with producer Tim Sommers, known professionally as One Love, was instrumental in developing the track's unique sound. The duo, who have collaborated since 2016, share a creative shorthand that allows for experimental direction. Together, they infused the song with unconventional textures and a nostalgic tone, including synth elements that evoked the soundscape of the classic early-2000s video game "Super Mario Galaxy." The track builds to a confrontational bridge before settling into a final note of acceptance, mirroring the emotional arc of moving on from a painful situation.

The accompanying music video for "bittersweet," which has already amassed over 8.9 million views on YouTube, features actor Sean Kaufman, best known for his role as Steven Conklin in the popular Amazon series "The Summer I Turned Pretty." Beer confessed with a laugh that she had never seen the show before casting him, a fact that she believes actually facilitated their on-screen chemistry. "I get too star-struck when I'm a fan, so our unfamiliarity allowed us to become instant friends," she admitted. She concluded by joking that she now plans to watch the series and is, "team Steven, of course."