Carly Rae Jepsen has officially released “Don’t Leave Me on the Dance Floor,” the first track she has shared from the night half of her upcoming double album, Day and Night. Set for a September 18 release via Interscope Records, the 24-track project features a music video directorial debut by Jeremy O.
The Bottom Line
- The Release: “Don’t Leave Me on the Dance Floor” arrives as the first track shared from the night half of Jepsen’s 24-track double album, Day and Night, dropping September 18 via Interscope Records.
- The Creative Force: Written alongside producers CJ Baran and Arthur Besnainou, the track was inspired by Jepsen’s trip to London to see ABBA Voyage.
- The Visuals: Playwright, actor and screenwriter Jeremy O. Harris steps behind the camera for his music video directorial debut, starring Alden Ehrenreich and Olivia Washington alongside choreography by Marc Crousillat.
From London’s ABBA Voyage to a Swedish Studio Mission
Speaking on the genesis of her latest release, the singer revealed that the track took shape following recording in Sweden and a subsequent trip to London to witness ABBA Voyage.
Jepsen came home with a mission of making her own ABBA-esque pop song—a song with a hook that made you feel like you had to participate and sing along. Collaborating with producers CJ Baran and Arthur Besnainou, she channeled that Swedish pop DNA into a track that pairs lyrics about fear of abandonment with a club-focused arrangement.
As Jepsen sings lines like, “I need you on the dance floor / The music is calling, I’m all in,” the composition reflects the overarching structural split of Day and Night. While earlier tracks like “On Wires” and “After All” introduced the era, “Don’t Leave Me on the Dance Floor” reflects the more maximalist dance direction of night, contrasting with the sunlit, left-field pop of the day side.
Jeremy O. Harris Directs Visuals
Playwright, actor, and screenwriter Jeremy O. Harris—whose work Slave Play received 12 Tony nominations—makes his music video directorial debut with the project.
The narrative unfolds inside a dance hall. Following a difficult phone call, actor Alden Ehrenreich’s character enters the space, moving through a choreographed performance designed by Marc Crousillat. Crousillat’s recent credits include Clairo’s “Terrapin” video and Harris’ Spirit of the People. Jepsen sings beneath glittering chandeliers and a revolving disco ball, while the video also features Olivia Washington as Ehrenreich’s lover.
Harris noted that the track made him think about relationships “on the brink” and the effort involved in staying together.
Decoding the Era: From E•MO•TION to the Double Album Strategy
To understand the ambition of Day and Night, one must look at the trajectory that brought Jepsen here. Since 2012 with “Call Me Maybe”—which topped charts in more than 47 countries and earned two Grammy nominations—she has evolved her sound. Her 2015 album, E•MO•TION, surpassed one billion streams worldwide, followed by albums like Dedicated (2019) and The Loneliest Time (2022) and their respective B-sides collections.
| Release Era | Primary Format | Defining Commercial/Critical Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 (Call Me Maybe) | Single | Topped charts in 47+ countries; 2 Grammy nominations. |
| 2015 (E•MO•TION) | Studio Album | Surpassed one billion streams worldwide. |
| 2019–2022 (Dedicated & Loneliest Time) | Studio Albums & B-Sides | Included Dedicated, The Loneliest Time, and B-sides collections. |
| 2026 (Day and Night) | Double Album (24 Tracks) | Splits output between sunlit left-field pop and maximalist club sounds; arrives via Interscope. |
By splitting her artistic output into a 24-track double album, Jepsen is utilizing a specific release strategy ahead of her September 27 headlining appearance at New York City’s All Things Go Festival, which is identified as her first live performance of 2026.
Whether the night side of the album can conquer the clubs just as effectively as her past work remains to be seen. But if “Don’t Leave Me on the Dance Floor” is any indication, Jepsen has no intention of yielding the spotlight.
Join the Conversation
Are you ready for the full 24-track journey of Day and Night, or are you firmly Team Day when it comes to Carly Rae Jepsen’s expansive catalog? Drop your thoughts on the new single, Jeremy O. Harris’ video direction, and your fall concert predictions in the comments below.
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