(label)
24 August 2026 (released)
11 h
One of the most prominent figures in music and pop culture Olivia Rodrigo has recently released her latest post-punk single ‘Serena Joy’.
The song is based on a character from The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood, the prominent, oppressive and later regretful Serena Joy Waterford. ‘Serena Joy’ is packed with lyrics centred around the dangers of complicity in patriarchy, authoritarianism, and social oppression.
The song marks Olivia’s first ever inherently political track, and it serves as a real warning in the current climate the world finds itself in right now. Variety reported that the song's proceeds partially benefited the fund for Rodrigo's Daisy Chain Fields music festival.
Rodrigo’s song kicks off with this intensely heightened guitar riff that almost sounds sinister, tying in with the track's theme. She wastes no time coming in hot with the lyrics “Yeah, it's all for the cause / For the good of us all / And if you close your eyes / Then it can't be your fault," acknowledging this blissful ignorance many people have turned to in these dark times and the way Serena is portrayed in Atwood’s novel.
Olivia’s vocals are particularly commanding and angry during the bridge as she belts out “Go ahead, go ahead / Don't think about it / What you get, what you get, what you get / Everything is just fine," reflecting her own personal views and mirroring the anger she feels about this subject.
One of the most interesting aspects of this song is her ability to convey a topic so serious, something many are furious about, including herself, but deliver it as a post-punk track where it's the lyrics that do the talking rather than it being loud, angry and shouting.
This track is definitely a feminist anthem, and Olivia keeps demonstrating her passion for women’s rights, including her Daisy Chain Fields Festival, with an all-female line-up, which she raised $20M US for charities that help women and girls. She has also been vocal about Gaza and gave a nod to Palestine wearing a dress during the festival's press conference.
