Olivia Rodrigo’s anticipated sophomore album “GUTS” was released on Sept. 8. The album offers 12 tracks that capture Rodrigo’s struggles with love and life.
Songs such as “vampire” offer insight on a draining relationship, while “bad idea, right?” musically explains how hard it is to stay away from that person.
Rodrigo has been a voice for young girls everywhere ever since her debut album “SOUR.”
“SOUR” offered a look into the repercussions of young and naïve love. Songs such as her record-breaking hit “driver’s license” channel the emotions of hurt when someone you thought would always be there suddenly isn’t.
Rodrigo has always been able to translate her feelings into smash hits. But “GUTS” stands out because it’s a little too relatable.
Rodrigo is able to not only vividly describe the classic feelings of love and loss but the feelings of love and loss while in the prime of girlhood.
The term girlhood and its meanings took over the internet since the release of Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie.” The movie sparked an online appreciation for the subtle nuances of growing up as a girl.
Here are the four tracks on Rodrigo’s album that are the perfect encapsulation of girlhood:
“ballad of a homeschooled girl”
If you’ve ever had any form of anxiety in a social setting with your friends who are just naturally way cooler than you are, you need to listen to what Olivia Rodrigo is saying in her song “ballad of a homeschooled girl.”
“I broke a glass / I tripped and fell / I told secrets I shouldn’t tell / I stumbled over all my words / I made it weird, I made it worse / Each time I step outside / It’s social suicide.”
The fifth track on Rodrigo’s album encapsulates feelings of anxiety, overthinking and the overall stress of being in a social situation you know is going to haunt you for the rest of the week.
“love is embarrassing”
Do you ever do anything so stupid for someone you must give yourself a mental check? That’s exactly what Rodrigo is saying in her track “love is embarrassing.”
“And now it don’t mean a thing / God love’s fuckin’ embarrassing / Just watch as I crucify myself / For some weird second-string / Loser who’s not worth mentioning / My, God love’s embarrassing as hell.”
There are so many embarrassing things we do for people who do not deserve it. And apparently Rodrigo has been there too.
Especially in the early stages of infatuation, your head is full of fog and Rodrigo encapsulates all those feelings that come after the fog has cleared. The feelings that make you remember that love really is embarrassing sometimes.
“get him back!”
Probably one of my favorite songs on the album, this punk-rock ballad has a double entendre rooted in jealousy, revenge and heartbreak.
“I wanna get him back / I wanna make him really jealous, wanna make him feel bad / Oh, I wanna get him back / ‘Cause then again, I really miss him, and it makes me real sad / Oh, I want sweet revenge, and I want him again / I want to get him back, back, back.”
The best part about this song is its double meaning. We all have someone we want to get back, back into our lives either romantically or platonically. Then there are people you want to get back.
If Rodrigo has done anything with her past two albums, it’s proving that she knows how to write a good revenge song.
“lacy”
Rodrigo’s song “lacy” puts into words the agonizing feelings of comparison. This song specifically has resonated with girls all over the internet for it’s intrinsic and interpretative lyrics.
“Lacy, oh Lacy, it’s like you’re out to get me / You poison every little thing that I do/ Lacy, oh Lacy, I just loathe you lately / And I despise my jealous eyes and how hard they fell for you / Yeah, I despise my rotten mind and how much it worships you.”
Similar to Rodrigo’s song “jealousy, jealousy”, “lacy” embodies the emotional side of adolescent comparison. “lacy” applies to all kinds of relationships and shows every emotion you can feel when those creeping thoughts of comparison get the better of you.
Rodrigo’s long-anticipated album “GUTS” lived up to the hype. She beat the “Sophomore Slump” album allegations and delivered an amazing listening experience. There’s a song for every girl, for every situation and for every mood. Rodrigo’s artistry encapsulates the emotions of teenage girls and “GUTS” is definitely going to end up at the top of my Spotify wrapped.