Conan Gray is serving heartbreak with a splash of queer longing in his brand-new single, “Vodka Cranberry.”
Released today via Republic Records and Universal Music Canada, the track marks the second single from his upcoming album Wishbone, out August 15. Teaming up once again with acclaimed producer Dan Nigro, Gray crafts a delicate and devastating portrait of love lost, with vocals that drip with sorrow and songwriting sharp enough to cut glass.
“Vodka Cranberry” isn’t just a song, it’s a slow burn of emotion that builds until it bursts, capturing the ache of a breakup that refuses to fully break.
A Love Story Told in Film Grain
The song’s emotional weight is amplified by a cinematic music video that continues the story introduced in “This Song.” Directed by Danica Kleinknecht (Mk.gee) and shot on Kodak 35mm film in Gray’s home state of Texas, the video co-stars Girl Meets World actor Corey Fogelmanis in a quietly powerful queer romance.
Gray plays one-half of a couple, Wilson and Brandon, embarking on a road trip across the American Southwest. From gas station snack runs to playful lake swims and intimate tent cuddles, the video paints a dreamy, Brokeback Mountain-esque picture of two boys in love beneath endless skies.
But as the trip unfolds, the tension simmers. In a dimly lit dive bar, Conan’s character reaches for his partner’s hand, only to be met with silence and retreat. The music swells as we watch a montage of their happiest moments together, including a tender kiss in the lake. Then, in a gut-punch of a twist, the video flashes forward. As Gray’s character sleeps, his lover quietly slips away, eyes full of regret and tears. The keys jingle, the door opens, and just like that, he’s gone.
Fans Are Feeling It…Hard
Conan’s fans wasted no time flooding social media with emotional reactions.
“album of the year already…” one user posted on X.
Another wrote, “this mv completely destroyed me. i love you conan gray.”
Many praised the video’s authenticity, emotional resonance, and commitment to telling queer stories with tenderness and truth. And yes, a few admitted they’ve already added “Vodka Cranberry” to their “cry in the shower” playlists.
Wishbone on the Horizon
With Wishbone on the way this August, Gray seems to be leaning even further into cinematic storytelling, emotional vulnerability, and lush queer imagery. If “Vodka Cranberry” is any indication, the full album is shaping up to be both a sonic and visual heartbreaker—in the best way possible.
