Pink keeps it real with ‘Trauma’

NEW YORK - On Friday, Pink released her first album in five years, “Beautiful Trauma.” But don’t call it a “comeback.”

“It’s always a reset in pop music,” she said. “If you’re taking a nap, you’re having a ‘comeback’ the next time you put a song out. It’s like starting over every time.”

As a matter of fact, the Grammy-winning pop rebel (born Alecia Moore) has gotten very little rest since 2012’s “The Truth About Love,” her first No. 1 album in the United States after more than a decade of releasing music under the moniker Pink.

In the years that followed, she’s supported “Truth” on a 140-date world tour; recorded an album as folk duo You + Me with friend Dallas Green; contributed hit “Just Like Fire” to Disney’s “Alice Through the Looking Glass” soundtrack; and given birth to son Jameson, 9 months (her second child with husband Carey Hart, after daughter Willow, 6).

“The difference between this record and a lot of other records was I was living a normal life while writing,” said Pink, 38. “Normally, since I was 19, I’ve gone: ‘Make a record, promo, go on tour. Make a record, promo, go on tour.’ It’s been this cycle. This is the first time I’ve been like, ‘Take my daughter to preschool. Go on a date with my husband.’ It’s real life that’s been on my mind.”

As is a common theme among some of her biggest hits, including “So What” and “Please Don’t Leave Me,” her impassioned relationship with Hart is the foundation for some of the album’s most heartfelt tracks, such as the confessional “Whatever You Want” and powerhouse closer “You Get My Love.”

By now, “he’s used to” being the subject of songs, Pink said. “I don’t even think he’s listening half the time. He’s just like, ‘Good stuff, Babe,’ and I’m like, ‘Thanks, honey.’ ”

In support of “Beautiful Trauma,” Pink will embark on a three-month North American tour in March, including shows at Chicago’s United Center March 9-10. Although Pink’s been told “women over 35 don’t get played” on the radio, “What About Us” soared to No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart last week, her 28th entry on the singles chart.

She believes her key to career longevity has been that “I’m a person with a lot to say. I can be very polarizing, but when I’m honest, I’m willing to be vulnerable. It resonates with people.”