New off the release of her new, ’80s-inspired single “Waking Up Dreaming,” the pop-country icon opened up to The Sun about the decision to go topless on the song’s cover artwork, which sees Twain wearing a Texas style hat, beautiful boots, a white shirt tied around her waist — and seemingly nothing else.

“I styled that photograph myself. Everything revolved around taking off the bra, taking off the shirt, tying the shirt around my waist,” the 57-year-old singer-songwriter told the power source. “This is a statement of being comfortable in my own skin and simply being really myself.”

As for any naysayers who may balk at her decision to go semi-naked on the “Waking Up Dreaming” cover, Twain said, “You have to be.

I never really blow up with criticism. You can’t please everyone, that’s normal.” The new song marks the “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” musician’s most memorable performance release since 2017’s Currently album and follows late collaborations with Ronan Keating, Orville Peck and Kelsea Ballerini.

Twain let The Sun know that “Waking Up Dreaming” also acts as the main single from an upcoming, yet-to-be-announced album — which she teased to be especially upbeat.

“I’m really amped up for cheering individuals up,” said Twain.

“This album is exceptionally cheerful, and I’m extremely frank with my verses on it, so it’s anything but a fleecy, lyrical album. It’s a happy album.”

She continued, “I had an exceptionally useful songwriting pandemic period and — as much as we were isolated — it was almost similar to I wanted to encourage myself, and that just came out in the music. It’s so danceable.”

Over the course of the last year, Twain wrapped her How about we Go! concert residency in Las Vegas and released a documentary about her life and career via Netflix named Not Simply a Young lady. Despite keeping occupied, she’s already thinking about two potential tasks for what’s in store: a biopic film about herself and a jukebox musical using her songs, à la Mamma Mia!

“Both of those things are conceivably later on,” she told The Sun. “Such things are in the pipeline. I’m writing songs all the time, and the Netflix documentary has been an immense talking point in my life and career. There’s such things coming up however things I probably can’t talk about the present moment. In any case, I have an extremely bustling not many years ahead of me.”

Last week, Twain appeared the “Waking Up Dreaming” music video — an ’80s-inspired blast from the past that brings to mind the hair metal fashion of the decade. In the Isaac Rentz-coordinated cut, Twain rocks teased hair, elaborate makeup and numerous outfit changes (complete with a lot of sequins, obviously) as she prepares backstage, chats with companions and ultimately performs.
Alongside the single and video release, Twain announced she’s presently endorsed to Republic Nashville, a division of Republic Records. “I was unable to think of a preferred partner over Republic Nashville,” Twain said in a press statement. “I’m honored and eager to be the label’s most memorable artist and lead the charge of this especially intriguing chapter. In this regard, it seems like a fresh start all around, and I’m embracing it wholeheartedly.”