Ready to reclaim his position as a foremost purveyor of summer anthems that are laden with infectious, queer-inclusive innuendos, Troye Sivan is back! Having spent the last few years firmly establishing himself as a global icon in the worlds of pop music, fashion, and LGBTQ+ representation, Sivan, now with even more success than ever, has dropped what may be one of the catchiest songs of 2023 with “Rush.”
Already an expert at making slyly subtextual, sizzling pop songs, Sivan’s latest track has been meticulously produced to give the audience enough serotonin that they feel the urge to have it on repeat. Inspired by equal parts confidence and equal parts lust, the liberating track is all about expression, something that he conveys through the lyrics. “Big communication, tell me what you want,” he sings during the opening moments of the track, perfectly setting the tone of what “Rush” is all about. “Translate your vibration, let your body talk to me.”
Just hours after its release, all the internet can talk about are the accompanying visuals, and it’s safe to say that there’s certainly no shortage of shirtless men. Helmed by Gordon Von Steiner (Hermès Ski, Versace Man FW22, Dior Rouge, Louis Vuitton Cruise, Miu Miu), the fun, light-hearted video embodies everything the track is about as it follows Sivan through a party environment, evidently, without a care in the world. He’s seen doing keg stands, embracing shirtless strangers, and dancing with fellow revelers on a crowded dancefloor before trekking home at daylight, something we’ve all done at least once in our lives; as Sivan planned, it encapsulates “the feeling of endlessly being addicted to your friends and wanting to just have a really good time.”
The new release, which also comes with the announcement of Sivan’s third studio album, Something To Give Each Other, marks a celebration of sex, dance, sweat, community, queerness, love, and friendship. “‘Rush’ is the feeling of kissing a sweaty stranger on a dancefloor,” says Sivan in a press release. “A two-hour date that turned into a weekend… a winter, a summer,” he continues. “[It’s about] all of my experiences from a chapter where I feel confident, free and liberated. Independent, yet somehow the most connected to the music and community around me,” he adds. Having already had a busy year due to appearing in HBO’s The Idol (The Weeknd and Sam Levinson), alongside Lily-Rose Depp, BLACKPINK’s Jennie Kim, and Abel himself, as well as featuring in campaigns for Cartier, YSL, Calvin Klein, and Beyoncé’s Ivy Park, we can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store for Sivan.
