Pop star Jessica Simpson has opened up about her decision to relocate from her $18 million Los Angeles mansion in favor of enjoying a much more low-key lifestyle in Nashville, TN —while speaking out about the surprising way the move impacted her music career.

"I got thrown a real twist of fate in the middle of making this record," Jessica Simpson tells PEOPLE. The singer announced her split from husband Eric Johnson in January.

Jessica Simpson says Eric Johnson "will always be" part of her life after she announced their separation last month. The singer, who is releasing her new music this week, reflected on her former relationship with Johnson in an exclusive interview with People in this week's issue, and opened up about how music has healed her.