Olivia Rodrigo’s name tends to inspire an image of observant, youthful naiveté among the cultural subconscious. However, the musician’s newest album, GUTS, highlights that Rodrigo is breaking out of her teenage shell and embracing darker, more mature themes. If her debut album, SOUR, was outstanding, her sophomore album is simply phenomenal. From symbolic changes in her image to vast experimentation with lyrics and melodies, Rodrigo’s musical variability is one to be reckoned with.
Senior McKenna Jenkins said, “From start to finish, GUTS takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions and leaves you wanting more.” While Rodrigo’s first album featured a myriad of slow, somber songs, this album puts more of an early 2000s spin on her tunes. Her opening song, “all american b*tch”, begins with a girlish melody, breaking into a must- listen-to bridge with an unforgettable beat. Here, listeners get a glimpse into Rodrigo’s view on the societal expectations of young women in American society, a matter she further expands on with the song “pretty isn’t pretty”. This is quite a turn from the multitude of heart-wrenching breakup lyrics in the singer’s discography.
Comparable to the success of Lorde’s 2017 album, Melodrama, Rodrigo’s GUTS strikes home with many teenage girls. “Olivia’s music helps people to validate their emotions. Hearing someone express similar emotions as you definitely helps you to know that someone really understands how you feel,” said Jenkins.
Junior Rin Wolfe said, “Both of her albums are pretty similar, but this one sounds more mature.” With much more adult themes, Rodrigo has managed to reinvent what defines her music while still sticking with her beloved personality. “I think Olivia’s song-writing will mature as she gets older, but she will continue to make Grammy-worthy albums in the future,” said Jenkins. Finding a bad review for this album presents a challenge, as even the toughest critics have admitted GUTS is difficult to dislike.
According to Billboard, “If SOUR represented a rock-solid, no-skips debut, its follow- up is a bigger and better sequel, more confident and gripping in almost every way” (billboard.com). While the album as a
whole is showstopping, it’s impossible not to bring to light a few of the songs that help make it as catchy as it
is. For example, according to Spotify “vampire” and “bad idea right?” are quickly becoming the most streamed songs of Rodrigo’s discography (spotify.com).
While it’s true the album is filled with peppy songs from the perspective of an edgy teen, it wouldn’t be a Rodrigo album with at least a few emotional ballads. “My favorite song on the album is ‘making the bed’, because it’s such a relatable and pretty song,” said Jenkins. Wolfe’s favorite was the song “lacy.” Both songs feature a soft melody that feels synonymous to SOUR’s “déjà vu”, transporting the listener to Rodrigo’s beginning days.
With the success of her latest album, Rodrigo proved she isn’t a one hit wonder, and has no intent of slowing her music career anytime soon. From the light vibes of SOUR to the dark vibes of GUTS, Rodrigo keeps her fans fed with relatable tunes and scream-worthy lyrics.