Halsey returned to her Badlands universe by way of a music video for "Drive," the second installment of her expansive "Badlands: Double Feature." Not only a celebration of the tenth anniversary of her game-changing debut album "BADLANDS," but also a relevant retrospective of Halsey's growth as an artist and as a storyteller. "Drive" builds upon the existing story, which fans first saw 10 years ago in the iconic "New Americana" video, where a part of the story was introduced. This marked the beginning of the double feature with "Gasoline" last month.
The visual is a stunning realisation of Halsey's striking vision in itself. Directed by Halsey, the video combines rich visual storytelling with up close and personal performance, starring American actor Tyler Posey and rekindling the artistic relationship with which they both came together in her "Colors" music video in 2016. With Posey back in a key role, the video pushes the boundaries of a music short and leaves no question. Halsey isn't just revisiting the past, she's rethinking it.
"Drive" is both familiar and newly invigorated. Co-written with longtime producer Tim Anderson and produced by Dylan William, the track first appeared as the fourth track from HALSEY's debut album "BADLANDS." But hearing it in this visual modern frame, it takes on a new life. The production teeters on brooding synths and pounding percussion, mirroring the emotional heft that made Halsey's debut such a touchstone for fans.
"Drive" not only succeeds as a throwback, but as a sign of the artist Halsey is becoming. The idea of the double feature, from "Gasoline" to "Drive," speaks to her ability to go back to her roots without getting stuck there. Fans are given the sort of layered tale that only rewards both memories and reinterpretation, ultimately demonstrating that the themes Halsey grappled with in "BADLANDS" identity, rebellion, and self-discovery are just as urgent now as they ever were.