Olivia Rodrigo Announces Second Album, "GUTS"
Olivia Rodrigo Slams an Ex as a "Bloodsucker" in New Single "Vampire"
New music has arrived, Olivia Rodrigo devotees. On 2 June, the Grammy winner drew her fans' attention to a countdown clock on her website via email. The clock was counting down to 30 June, and on 13 June, Rodrigo revealed that she had a new single on the way. "My new song vampire is out june 30th! you can presave now. so excited for this ahhhhh!!!!!!! 🖤🩸💜🫀❤️," Rodrigo announced on Instagram.
She doubled down on that exciting news with confirmation that her second album will be released this autumn. She shared the album artwork on Instagram on 26 June, which features her laying down in a purple top and holding up her hand. On it, she wears letter rings that spell out "GUTS" — which is apparently the album title. "My sophomore album GUTS comes out September 8th," wrote Rodrigo. "I am so proud of this record and I can't wait to share it with you all! u can presave it now! xoxoxoxo."
Rodrigo previously hinted at the album when announcing "Vampire." According to a press release obtained by Variety, "'Vampire' is the sound of an artist firmly in control, imbued with a sense of maturity and a bold confidence . . . With 'Vampire,' she is poised to begin an exciting new chapter." Rodrigo wrote the song alongside her "Sour" collaborator Dan Nigro.
"Vampire" sees Rodrigo reflecting on a past relationship, singing, "I've made some real big mistakes / but you made the worst one look fine." She laments of her ex, "The way you sold me for parts / you suck your teeth into me / bloodsucker / fame f*cker / bleeding me dry like a goddamn vampire." In the accompanying video, Rodrigo performs on a flaming stage as an awards show audience looks on. Covered in blood after being hit by a spotlight, Rodrigo eventually flees from the police outside the cinema.
In January, exactly two years after the arrival of her breakthrough single "Drivers License," Rodrigo shared a video of her and Dan Nigro, the producer behind her debut album, "Sour," jamming out on a piano on her Instagram Stories. She captioned it, "working on so many new songs I'm excited to show u! thank u for everything." Rodrigo didn't offer any other details, but it wasn't the first time she teased new material.
In a previous interview with Billboard, the outlet's 2022 woman of the year honoree confirmed that her sophomore album was on the way, featuring production from Nigro. She also confirmed that she'd already picked out a title for the forthcoming project. No additional updates followed, however, Rodrigo told her fans in November 2022, via a special Spotify Wrapped video message, that new music was still on the horizon.
"Hey, it's Olivia! I just wanted to say thank you so much for listening to my music this year," she said, per Billboard. "I really, truly couldn't be more grateful and I'm so excited for next year, and all of the new things and new music that 2023 will bring. So I'm sending so much love your way and thank you again! Bye!"
With only a single album under her belt, Rodrigo has already blazed an incredible trail in music. Last year, the 20-year-old singer picked up trophies at the Grammys, Billboard Music Awards, and iHeartRadio Music Awards for her chart-topping "Sour" album. She also released an introspective documentary on Disney+ titled "Olivia Rodrigo: Driving Home 2 U (A Sour Film)," which won an honor at the 2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards.
It's clear Rodrigo has plenty more in store for her fans, and they're eagerly waiting to hear what else she's been cooking up in the studio. Keep reading to listen to "Vampire."
