Olivia Rodrigo’s sophomore album “GUTS” blends alternative pop, jazz, and ’90s-era punk rock into a critically acclaimed and commercially successful collection of music. Debuting this week atop the Billboard 200 chart of the most popular music in the United States of America, Rodrigo’s new album has taken the music world by storm, appealing to fans in all age groups. In “GUTS,” Rodrigo’s storytelling skills shine through her heartfelt lyrics, demonstrating her growth and maturity as an artist through her discovery of new sounds and catchy pop melodies.
The opening track “all-american b*tch” is a perfect example of how Rodrigo challenges the boundary between genres and brings out personal worldviews through her bold lyrics. Rodrigo opens with a mellow verse, which abruptly turns into a punk-rock thrasher. However, the chorus ends prematurely and it suddenly but smoothly transitions back into a delicate second verse. The song ends in the tone it began with elegance, as Rodrigo repeats the verses “All the time/I’m grateful all the time/I’m sexy and I’m kind/I’m pretty when I cry.” This carefully curated song refers to the societal pressure that women feel to be palatable to society. Rodrigo’s scream towards the end of the song, “I’m pretty when I cry,” represents her breaking point and her anger at society.
“all-american b*tch” showcases Rodrigo’s musical versatility and her willingness to challenge societal norms, but it is her third single “get him back!” that truly displays why she has been a popular new addition to the world of pop music through her unique voice. Rodrigo begins the song in the first verse by speak-singing, a technique that involves singing lyrics in a talking tone. In the chorus, Rodrigo sings a catchy yet simplistic melody. The bridge from “get him back!” goes into a quieter place with Rodrigo’s solo vocal calling and responding with her backup vocals. Her wide range of dynamics perfectly depicts the contrasting emotions she aims to convey: turmoil and anger, tranquility and acceptance. The incredible vocal production and lyricism in this song propel it to be one of the standout releases after her two singles “vampire” and “bad idea right?”
“all-american b*tch” and “get him back!” are just two of the groundbreaking songs on Rodrigo’s new album. “lacy,” “logical,” and “the grudge” also showcase Rodrigo’s artistic songwriting skills, while “ballad of a homeschooled girl” and “love is embarrassing” illustrate the rising “bubble-gum pop” genre Rodrigo has introduced to the landscape of pop music.
Before “GUTS” was released, Rodrigo faced high expectations following the groundbreaking success of her debut album “Sour.” However, with “GUTS” already topping the Billboard 200, Rodrigo is on the path to replicate or even surpass her success with “Sour.” Whether you became a fan of Olivia Rodrigo during her Disney days or you just listened to “vampire” on the radio for the first time today, it is not difficult to sense Rodrigo’s passion. Overall, “GUTS” receives a 4/5 stars rating for its connection to modern society, as well as its fresh and diverse tunes.
