Rita Ora: Mood boards motivate me

Rita Ora uses mood boards to help her "mental stability".

The 24-year-old Brit has been busy with her upcoming album, which is due out later this year.

While in the studio, the star uses collages to keep the creative flow going. Currently it features open mouths, oil paintings and water.

"All of these mouths here are representative of the intensity that I want for my record," she explained to Nylon magazine.

"Some people think I'm weird with how I look at my photos, but even if I don't use [these ideas] on my record, it's good for my mental stability, to just keep moving."

The as yet untitled album is Rita's first since 2012 debut Ora. She's moved a little away from fluffy pop and believes her new songs have more substance.

"I wanted the album to be dark and sexy, but still approachable, because I'm not a dark person," she revealed.

It's been an amazing time for Rita, who performed at the Oscars last weekend. She's also on the panel of UK TV show The Voice, where she decides which singing hopefuls will get a shot at stardom.

While she's huge news now, the singer recently admitted she's had to deal with her fair share of rejection in the past.

"I've been told 'no' so many times in my career," she revealed to the British edition of InStyle magazine.

"It doesn't mean it's over... I can remember every single 'no' I've been told in my life. They do not leave my brain. But they build you up."