"Grapevine" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Weyes Blood, released on October 11, 2022, as the third single from her fifth studio album, And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow (2022). It was written and produced by the artist along with Jonathan Rado. A folk rock track, its arrangement surrounds her voice with acoustic guitars and synthesizers. A music video was released on October 28, 2022. "Grapevine" was included in the set list of her In Holy Flux Tour.
| "Grapevine" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Weyes Blood | ||||
| from the album And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow | ||||
| Released | October 11, 2022 | |||
| Genre | Folk rock | |||
| Length | 5:25 | |||
| Label | Sub Pop | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Natalie Mering | |||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| Weyes Blood singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Grapevine" on YouTube | ||||
The song received positive reviews from music critics and became her first charting single, on the U.S. Adult Alternative Airplay record chart published by Billboard.
Composition
edit"Grapevine" has been described as a lush, swirling folk rock song.[1] Produced and recorded at the EastWest Studios in Hollywood, and written by the singer, it is a song set along the titular stretch of Southern California's Interstate 5.[2] The song studies "the remains of a dead relationship",[3] and is about breaking up with a "narcissistic" musician she'd been in love with during the COVID-19 pandemic.[4] It contains a soft acoustic guitar and measured drums, while having a mix of strings and synthesizers, a tolling bell and somber bass lines.[5]
In a statement about the song, the singer said: "Technology is harvesting our attention away from each other. We all have a 'Grapevine' entwined around our past with unresolved wounds and pain. Being in love doesn't necessarily mean being together. Why else do so many love songs yearn for a connection?"[6][7]
Critical reception
editWhile giving the song 3.5 stars out of 5, Far Out reviewer Tom Taylor described the song as "sumptuous", and wrote: "It might not be as instantly ensnaring as the debut single from the new record, but it certainly shows off the skills of one of the finest singers around".[8] "Grapevine" was described by Rolling Stone as a "sprawling song" with an "epic and emotional adventure".[9] NME described it as "epic".[10] Weyes Blood's "warm, pure alto" voice on the track was compared to the vocals from Karen Carpenter.[4]
Music video
editA nautical-themed music video for the song, directed by Charlotte Ercoli, was released on October 28, 2022.[11] In the video, the backdrop is a "seasonally spooky, deserted road", where the artist's car has broken down and "wanders the increasingly surreal landscape".[3]
Charts
edit| Chart (2022–2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[12] | 32 |
References
edit- ^ Breihan, Tom (October 11, 2022). "Weyes Blood – "Grapevine"". Stereogum. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ Cohen, Jonathan (October 11, 2022). "Weyes Blood Mulls Love on Interstate 5 on New Song 'Grapevine'". Spin. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ a b Helfand, Raphael (October 28, 2022). "Weyes Blood shares ghostly "Grapevine" video". The Fader. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ a b Talbot, Margaret (October 31, 2022). "Weyes Blood Gives Soft Rock an Apocalyptic Edge". New Yorker. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ Sudol, Claire (October 25, 2022). "Weyes Blood is an emotional cowboy on new single 'Grapevine'". Michigan Daily. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ Ackroyd, Stephen (October 11, 2022). "Weyes Blood has shared her latest single, 'Grapevine'". Dork. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ Kenneally, Cerys (October 11, 2022). "Weyes Blood unveils new song "Grapevine"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ Taylor, Tom (October 11, 2022). "Weyes Blood releases sumptuous new single 'Grapevine'". Far Out. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ Blistein, Jon (October 11, 2022). "Weyes Blood Shares Poignant New California Odyssey 'Grapevine'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ Conway-Flood, Katie (October 12, 2022). "Listen to Weyes Blood's new epic road song, 'Grapevine'". NME. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
- ^ Bloom, Madison (October 28, 2022). "Weyes Blood Shares New Video for "Grapevine": Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ "Weyes Blood Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 3, 2024.