“It’s very nerve-racking,” Olivia Rodrigo tells Billboard throughout a name a number of days earlier than the discharge of her new single, “Vampire.” But in addition, she admits, “I haven’t put out music in, what, two years now?”
Two years, one month and 9 days, to be precise: with 2021 debut album Bitter, Rodrigo ascended to superstardom and capitalized on the Billboard Sizzling 100-topping enormity of its lead single, the sensible breakup ballad “Drivers License.” A pastiche of pop-punk flare-ups, bedroom-pop ruminations and crunchy various, Bitter led to a greatest new artist Grammy win, a sold-out 2022 headlining tour, a documentary and a prom-themed live performance movie… however zero new music from Rodrigo since its launch, save for a number of beforehand recorded tunes from her position on the DIsney+ collection Excessive College Musical: The Musical: The Sequence.
Fairly amazingly, all 11 songs on Bitter have peaked inside the high 30 of the Sizzling 100 — however they haven’t been adopted by any bonus tracks, visitor options or stopgap songs. No surprise “Vampire,” the lead single to Rodrigo’s forthcoming sophomore album GUTS (due out Sept. 8 on Geffen Data), is arguably probably the most anticipated new single of the yr.
Created along with her important Bitter collaborator, writer-producer Daniel Nigro, “Vampire” begins as a betrayal-strewn piano ballad within the vein of “Drivers License,” however then busts open right into a pop-rock epic filled with jittery percussion and wounded, dramatic vocal runs — one thing like My Chemical Romance’s The Black Parade, refracted via a technology raised on Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey. “Vampire” represents a go-for-the-gusto pop assertion that each pushes Rodrigo’s songwriting ahead whereas additionally offering a lot for Bitter followers. It sounds purposely large, and prefer it’s about to be inescapable.
“Placing out a brand new music is a bit bit daunting, however in the end actually thrilling,” Rodrigo says. “I simply really feel actually fortunate to have a lot help coming from all angles.” Beneath, Rodrigo explains how the music turned her new single, and the interval of development she skilled since Bitter that can inform GUTS. (Ed. word: this interview has been edited for readability.)
Billboard: How did “Vampire” come collectively?
Olivia Rodrigo: I wrote it on the piano, the unique model, in December of final yr, and I actually preferred it. I keep in mind writing it and feeling like one thing particular was there. And I took it to my producer Dan, and we completed it up collectively and rewrote some issues and produced it. It was fairly an extended manufacturing — it’s fairly lush, so it took us some time. However I’m actually pleased with the best way it got here out.
I really like how the music opens up after the primary refrain into this large, multi-part, theatrical assertion. At what level did it turn out to be apparent that this is able to be the lead single?
We at all times mentioned that it was sort of our model of a rock opera. [Laughs.] I believe because the album was coming collectively, we have been arising with a bunch of songs that we actually preferred, however this one at all times caught out to me as one thing that I felt like was honoring my singer-songwriter roots, however felt like an evolution — in a great way that wasn’t too stark. And so I actually preferred it for that, and it was at all times one among my favorites.
I’m curious in regards to the messaging of the music — your tackle somebody utilizing you, and leeching off of your fame. The place did these themes come from? Had they been rattling round in your thoughts for some time?
I believe it’s only a music about feeling used, and all the anger and remorse and heartbreak that comes with it. And I believe that’s a typical feeling, whether or not or not somebody’s well-known. That was one thing that was simply actually effervescent within me — it’s sort of an offended music, and I believe I’ve quite a lot of hassle expressing emotions like anger and remorse, these are notably powerful ones for me to specific. I’m going to songwriting to get these emotions out that aren’t tremendous snug to specific in on a regular basis life. So it was a really therapeutic expertise, scripting this music.
It’s arduous to think about how cathartic this one goes to really feel for you once you first carry out it stay.
Oh my gosh, I’m so excited. I’m actually excited for the stay present — I really feel just like the album is shaping as much as be a very enjoyable set.
You’ve spoken just lately in regards to the unimaginable development you’ve skilled over the previous two years — this whirlwind that included Bitter, touring, the Grammys, touring, now writing once more. Once you look again on the previous two years, what was probably the most stunning half, one thing that the Olivia of two years in the past by no means would have anticipated?
I imply, the Olivia of two years in the past positively wouldn’t have anticipated her profession to do all of the loopy, fantastic issues that it did so shortly, and I’m very grateful for that. I’ve modified a lot up to now few years. All that loopy stuff occurred in my profession — “Drivers License” got here out and it broke all these data, and I used to be fortunate sufficient to win some Grammys, which was an enormous dream of mine ever since I can keep in mind.
However I believe probably the most change I’ve felt was simply in Olivia as a lady — rising up and altering from being a young person to a 20-year-old. The entire maturing and figuring your self out, that’s simply on a traditional human-to-human degree — I believe that was probably the most stunning factor for me.
Is the strain you’re feeling forward of this single launch considerably completely different than what you have been feeling forward of “Drivers License” or Bitter?
Completely. It’s positively a unique feeling, and it felt completely different making this album too. I imply, it’s quite a lot of strain. I’d be mendacity if I mentioned that I didn’t really feel that. However I believe I acquired to a spot all through making the report the place I actually shifted my perspective from being like, “Oh, we’ve got to make one thing that’s gonna impress everybody, and beat the final one!” All of this was simply swimming in my head, and I wasn’t writing songs that I resonated with. It wasn’t productive, and conducive to good work.
And so I needed to shift my perspective into simply attempting to make music that I want to hear on the radio, and as soon as I did that, issues began flowing a bit simpler. So I simply attempt to preserve that that perspective.
How indicative is “Vampire” of the sound of the remainder of the album?
I really really feel just like the album is absolutely, extremely numerous. There are other forms of ballads — I suppose I take into account “Vampire” a ballad on the report — however yeah, I don’t know! It’s all fairly completely different.
With “Drivers License,” you translated this painful private second into one thing relatable for a large viewers. Now that you just’re on the high of that curler coaster once more with this lead single and able to rush down, how does it really feel to be sharing this new piece of your self?
I imply, not gonna lie, it’s fairly scary! I used to be positively a bit extra dauntless final time with “Drivers License,” as a result of I had no concept that anybody would take heed to it – nevertheless it’s scary to consider placing a music out into the world that’s weak and represents painful emotions for you.
I’m simply attempting to not give it some thought, to maintain my head down and do all of the work. Every part else is out of my management. It’s sort of good to offer it to folks, after which it’s not yours anymore. It’s a wonderful factor! So I’m simply attempting to do not forget that.
