Over the past month, the singer songwriter, Olivia Rodrigo’s latest album GUTS has been on repeat for people across the globe as she fully transcends into a fuller, and more experimental sound within the genre of rock and alternative pop. Rodrigo first came into the music industry with the release of her chart topping single “driver’s license” in January 2021. If you were a teenager, or young adult at that time, you know that this song was practically inescapable. This song was followed up by Rodrigo’s debut album SOUR which was officially released in May 2021. The instant success of her first album skyrocketed Rodrigo’s level of fame to where she was quickly compared to other household names within the music industry like Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, and Lana Del Rey.
SOUR has been considered by many, including Rodrigo herself, as a breakup album as it contains many soft, intimate ballads including “traitor,” “enough for you,” “happier,” “favorite crime,” and “hope ur ok”. In comparison, GUTS is a shift towards a more aggressive, upbeat older sister album to Rodrigo’s previous work.
With her sophomore album, Rodrigo has transformed her sound into something none of us could have predicted. The opening track “all-american b*tch” reels in her audience by starting off with a slow guitar strum within the first few verses, sounding very familiar to what people know from Rodrigo. This is then immediately followed by alarmingly loud drums and electric guitars which surprised many with its alternative style. Similar songs off this album include “bad idea, right?” “vampire” “ballad of a homeschooled girl” “get him back” “love is embarrassing” and “pretty isn’t pretty”. With only 12 tracks on the record, this makes the majority of songs have more production and instrumentation.
Taking a deeper look into Rodrigo as an artist, what sets her apart from those before her is her innate songwriting ability. She writes in a way that speaks directly to her fanbase as if she has gone inside our heads, plucked out our memories and personal experiences and turned them into chords and melodies with her guitar pick. Lyrics that have evoked this reaction include her song “vampire” where she writes “I tried to help you out, now I know that I can’t, ‘Cause how do you think’s the kind of thing I’ll never understand.” Within this bridge Rodrigo effortlessly pinpoints the potential inner thoughts of millions of people who have experienced or have come close to experiencing dealing with a partner in a toxic relationship.
The way Rodrigo presents herself within the music industry is something so refreshing as it reminds people that she is still growing alongside her target audience: teenage girls and young adults. Her level of self-awareness makes it clear to her listeners that she is still finding herself at the ages of 18 and 19 years old when she was writing the album. This further raises her popularity as fans see themselves and identify with Rodrigo through her music. Even in the title track of the album, she fully admits, “I know my age and I act like it.” She seamlessly pulls in her listeners and writes songs in a way that speaks volumes to the anxiety ridden, overthinking, and daydreaming members of Millennials, Generation Z and even Generation Alpha.
The three-time GRAMMY Award winner has once again created a masterpiece of an album that can be blasted in your car as you scream your heart out with utter raw emotion. With her second album GUTS, Rodrigo has reimagined the nostalgia of what it means to be a teenager in the world today. She continues to make history as an artist as she paves the way for young people to really feel their feelings and fully express themselves as they are. Though Rodrigo is still a newer artist in the music industry, she is well on her way to establishing herself as a household name in pop royalty.
