Olivia Rodrigo has given fans an unexpected new song, releasing Serena Joy as a limited-edition CD single at an independent record store in Tustin, California.
The store announced that only 500 physical copies were available beginning August 21, three days before the song’s planned wider release. The entire run sold out the same day. Serena Joy takes inspiration from The Handmaid’s Tale and was originally recorded during sessions for Rodrigo’s third studio album, You Look Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, but was ultimately left off the final tracklist.
The release arrives just ahead of Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields festival, scheduled for August 29 at Great Park in Irvine, California. The all-women event features performers including Chappell Roan, Doechii, Mitski, Garbage, Bikini Kill and KATSEYE, along with several special guests.
The limited CD release also continues Rodrigo’s connection with independent record stores while giving local fans an early chance to hear material that had not previously been commercially available.