Noah Kahan is opening up about writing “Draw You Out,” the lead single for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping soundtrack. The song is scheduled for release Oct. 2, while The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (The Album) is set to arrive Nov. 13 through MCA, one week before the film reaches theaters on Nov. 20.

Kahan described the opportunity as an “insane” one, noting that he has read Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games books and watched the films. He also acknowledged the artists who previously recorded major songs for the franchise, including Taylor Swift, Lorde, Coldplay and Olivia Rodrigo.

For “Draw You Out,” Kahan reunited with Aaron Dessner, who co-wrote and co-produced the song. The track was recorded at Long Pond Studio in New York as well as Gold Pacific Studios and East Iris Studios in Nashville. It was written specifically for and inspired by the new film.

Kahan said writing for the film required him to research the story and find a connection between his own experiences and the character at the center of the movie. Sunrise on the Reaping follows a 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy from District 12 as he enters the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

The singer also spoke about the responsibility of contributing to a franchise with an established audience. He said he wanted the song to reflect the world created by Collins while still containing elements of himself, rather than simply writing a song about Haymitch without a personal connection to the material.

Kahan described the emotional tone of “Draw You Out” as darker than a traditional feel-good soundtrack song. “You’re not really coming to me if you’re looking for heartwarming,” he said, adding that the song contains some hopeful elements while continuing to deal with heavier emotions.

The song is Kahan’s first new release since his Billboard 200 No. 1 album The Great Divide and its deluxe edition, The Last of the Bugs. The new track also reunites him with Dessner, who previously worked with Kahan on the album.

The full Sunrise on the Reaping soundtrack features 29 tracks and brings together artists from multiple genres. Kahan’s “Draw You Out” appears as the 27th track on the album, which is executive produced by Dave Cobb and includes music created specifically for the film.

Directed by Francis Lawrence, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is based on Collins’ 2025 novel of the same name. The film stars Joseph Zada as young Haymitch alongside Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Maya Hawke, Glenn Close and Ralph Fiennes, and is scheduled for theatrical release on Nov. 20, 2026.