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Charli XCX: Reinventing Pop Music

November 18, 2024

Since her debut album, *True Romance*, in 2013, Charli XCX has been reshaping the world of pop, setting herself apart with her daring, synth-driven sound and unconventional style. Early on, her...

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Harry Styles’ Last Tour and His Well-Deserved Break: A Journey of

November 18, 2024

Harry Styles has become one of the most captivating performers of this generation, and his last tour, “Love on Tour,” was a testament to his evolution from boy band member to solo superstar...

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Metro Boomin: The Architect Behind Modern Hip-Hop

November 14, 2024

In the changing landscape of hip-hop, few producers have done more than Metro Boomin. His signature sound and sonic innovation have made him not only the most popular star in the industry but has...

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Adele’s Triumphant Return: The Impact of Her Music on Healing and Resilience

November 14, 2024

Few artists capture life’s rawest emotions like Adele. From her breakout album “19” to her latest release “30,” her music has consistently resonated with listeners, offering comfort and strength...

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Arctic Monkeys: Tracing the Growth and Lasting Influence of the UK’s Iconic Band

November 14, 2024

As their first UK tour since 2018 quickly approaches, it's the perfect time to reflect on the remarkable journey and lasting impact of one of the UK’s most cherished bands: Arctic Monkeys...

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The Mastermind behind the Game of Thrones soundtrack - Ramin Djawadi

November 14, 2024

Ramin Djawadi, a German composer of Iranian descent, has established himself as one of the most innovative and influential composers in Hollywood, particularly through his work on the HBO series...

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Sabrina Carpenter: Rising Beyond Challenges to Shine in the Music World

November 13, 2024

Sabrina Carpenter’s journey from a young Disney star to a full-fledged pop sensation is a story of resilience, evolution, and unwavering passion. More than just an actress-turned-singer, Carpenter...

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Mitski: Redefining Modern Womanhood Through Music

November 13, 2024

In today’s music scene, few artists capture the complexities of womanhood as honestly as Mitski Miyawaki. Known simply as Mitski, she’s become a powerful voice for the modern woman, exploring...

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The Artistry and Impact of Raye: A Dynamic Voice in Modern Pop Music

November 13, 2024

British singer-songwriter Raye, born Rachel Agatha Keen, has carved out a distinct space in the contemporary music scene with her soul-stirring lyrics and unique voice. Known for her candidness and...

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Unlocking the Art of Confessional Songwriting with Gracie Abrams

November 13, 2024

In an industry bursting with noise, Gracie Abrams has mastered the rare art of making listeners lean in. Her songs, built on confessional storytelling, cut through the clutter by speaking directly...

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Olivia Rodrigo: Giving Voice to Gen-Z's Fear, Anger, and Anxiety

November 13, 2024

Olivia Rodrigo’s music resonates deeply with Gen-Z. Her songs—raw, fierce, and honest—are filled with fear, anger, and anxiety, emotions that define the reality of today’s teens. As much as we’d...

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How Taylor Swift Masterminded Her Way to Global Success

November 11, 2024

Taylor Swift’s success is no accident; it's built on an unmatched knack for songwriting. According to Toby Koenigsberg, Associate Professor and Chair of Popular Music, Swift’s songs are both...

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The Shadow of Sour Writing “Vampire” by Olivia Rodrigo

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The mastermind behind the overwhelmingly successful album, Sour, the 20-year-old Olivia Rodrigo comes back into the spotlight with a new heartwrenching single, ‘Vampire’ and the announcement of her upcoming album ‘Guts’. 

As the expected sophomore album Guts slowly approaches, many people have been taking note of the difficulty that Olivia will face to top her previous work on Sour. Sour debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, with the biggest opening in 2021 for an album at the time. In addition, it secured Olivia three Grammy wins in 2022.

Olivia discusses the pressure and anxiety that she faced with the success of Sour and the expectations that she had to live up to during the early stages of writing Guts. She mentions that it’s an unhealthy mindset to constantly think about outperforming ‘Drivers License’ or Sour. Instead, she focuses on writing music she herself would love to hear on the radio and chooses to accept everything else is out of her control, including the success of her work. 

With all that said, Vampire is currently occupying the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, with over 100 million streams on Spotify, and continues Olivia’s streak as one of this generation's greatest songwriters. 

Writing Vampire really helped Olivia sort through a lot of “regret, anger and heartache”, things she was trying to express for a long time. Vampire isn’t just about something surface-level like someone hurting Olivia, but rather the regret she faced for going along while knowing that something wasn’t going to turn out great. 

Listen to Vampire on music streaming platforms, and check out the music video for Vampire on Youtube.