After nearly eight years away from releasing a full-length project, Miguel returns with “Caos,” and he’s already ready for what’s next. 

In fact, the “Adorn” hitmaker says another album is finished and waiting in the wings. The only thing standing in the way? His label.

In a recent interview with Genius, the Grammy-winning singer made it clear that fans won’t have to endure another years-long gap between projects. 

“No,” he said firmly when asked if another long wait was ahead. He even revealed that he believes the unreleased project is “better” than “Caos.” 

If the decision were his alone, the music would already be on the way.

“If it was up to me, I’d put another album out before the tour starts,” the chart-topper shared.

Instead, the vocalist says contractual restrictions with RCA Records prevent him from releasing new music until late next year, a situation that has become about far more than just timing. 

While he acknowledges that there are people within the label who genuinely “understand and want to do the right thing,” the independent-minded artist has reached a breaking point with what he sees as an unfair deal structure.

“I would sooner release it independently than to allow them to pick up the deal without it being a fair deal,” the songwriter said. 

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“And it’s not a fair deal, and I’m happy to go on record about that.”

For the alt-R&B pioneer, the standoff reflects a larger industry issue, one where artists are often forced to fight for leverage inside systems that weren’t built to protect their long-term interests. 

Though the multi-platinum artist has secured ownership of his intellectual property, he believes the next chapter of his career must be rooted in autonomy.

“There’s absolutely things that need to happen that I would prefer to happen as an independent artist,” he said.

Looking ahead, the soul-baring songwriter says his focus for the next decade extends well beyond his own catalog. He sees his future as one grounded in stewardship, using what he’s learned to help protect and uplift other artists navigating the same terrain.

“My next 10 [years] is me really taking what I’ve learned and hopefully educating and stewarding other artists who deserve it all and deserve to have their stories heard, to be protected and to be successful,” the performer said.

The reclusive artist admits that releasing “Caos” reopened feelings he hadn’t anticipated after being away from album cycles for so long.

“It’s been such a long time since I put music out that I forgot how you can never explain or expect all of the emotion that comes with it,” he said.

The genre-bending star reflected on the album's response, particularly the feedback from his peers. Though he hoped the project would resonate, the outpouring of support from fellow artists and longtime mentors caught him off guard.

“I’ve gotten more notes about this album from my peers, musical mentors, and fellow artists who I’ve outwardly said I’d love to work with, who maybe didn’t reciprocate in the same way, than I’ve ever gotten for any of my projects,” he said. 

“It’s been really, really dope, and it’s a really endearing and reassuring thing.”