Blues Pills were in the midst of recording their fourth album when lead singer Elin Larsson discovered she was pregnant. Reflecting on the timing, Larsson shared with Classic Rock: “We had just returned from a tour with Airbourne when I found out. I thought it was quite amusing—coming back from that tour and discovering I was pregnant. Fortunately, my son looks like my husband and didn’t come out with an Australian accent!”
The news marked a significant shift for the Swedish rock band. Despite the challenges, Larsson was determined to complete the album, continuing to record vocals for Birthday until she was nine months pregnant. “It was harder to sing because your lungs get pushed away from your stomach,” she explained. “But it turned out great. I think the experience added a unique flavor to the album. I’m incredibly proud to have finished it.”
The band chose to reflect Larsson’s pregnancy on the album’s cover. The photo features Larsson at the center, heavily pregnant and wearing a striking 70s-style blue dress, while the rest of the band—guitarist Zach Anderson, drummer André Kvarnström, and bassist Kristoffer Schander—are dressed in black.
“For me, that cover image symbolizes strength,” Larsson said. “I kept working through my pregnancy, as many women do. It feels like an integral part of this record.”
