Olivia Rodrigo has unveiled “Vampire,” the eagerly awaited lead single from her second studio album, Guts. Co-written and produced by Dan Nigro, who was at the helm of the singer’s 2021 debut, Sour, the song splits the difference between the dreamy pathos of Rodrigo’s breakout hit, “Drivers License,” and the more angsty, rock-oriented tracks of her first album.
Rodrigo’s affinity for pop music’s past is evident throughout “Vampire.” There’s an almost Beatles-esque thread that runs from the song’s pensive piano-driven intro to its symphonic rock climax. Lyrically, it traces “six months of torture,” as Rodrigo skewers her former lover for gaslighting her. At times the track’s central metaphor feels a little on the nose—“You sunk your teeth into me/Oh, bloodsucker, fame fucker”—but when the latter epithet is replaced with “dream crusher” on the clean version, it actually has more bite.
The bloodsucker motif is deployed less overtly in the song’s striking video, directed by Petra Collins. The clip is dreamy and surreal, opening with Rodrigo sprawled out in an obviously synthetic patch of lush greenery. She’s conked by a swinging stage light and the scene is revealed to be an awards show performance gone awry. Bloodied and dazed, Rodrigo continues to sing for a confused audience before dashing out of the theater and onto the streets of L.A.
Watch “Vampire” below:
Guts is due for release on September 8 via Geffen Records.
Since 2001, we've brought you uncompromising, candid takes on the world of film, music, television, video games, theater, and more. Independently owned and operated publications like Slant have been hit hard in recent years, but we’re committed to keeping our content free and accessible—meaning no paywalls or fees.
If you like what we do, please consider subscribing to our Patreon or making a donation.
