Jennifer Hudson Album Due in September

In between juggling motherhood and a thriving film career, Jennifer Hudson is still finding time to record her sophomore album.

“I am in the recording process, at least 10 songs in,” the 28-year-old singer-actress tells the AP. “It’s between film and music right now, working on the album, but it won’t be out until September.”

The follow-up to her 2008 self-titled debut will be a departure for the Oscar and Grammy winner. “I think it will definitely be a different direction and I’m so excited about that. I want this album to feel good. Just hearing the feedback from the music being heard. … The reaction to it, I love it. So I’m like, wow, I want this album to be good, but I definitely want it to be very much me, and I just hope the fans embrace it.”

Aside from music, the “American Idol” alum is also preparing to take on the role of South African activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in a biopic, which begins shooting next month in Africa.