Olivia Rodrigo returns with her pop-punk inspired sophomore album, 'GUTS'

Olivia Rodrigo is back with her sophomore album GUTS, serving up more teenage angst, heartbreak ballads, and shitty exes. The album’s long awaited, following the worldwide success of Rodrigo’s debut album, SOUR in 2021. With Rodrigo leaning more into her pop punk influences, but still maintaining her radio pop hit niches, the record has a repetitive sound throughout. Whereas more of her singer/songwriter tracks like “lacy” and "the grudge” shine on the record and Dan Nigro’s production prowess comes to light on “get him back!” The album has been leaving listeners, here’s a deep dive into one of the most anticipated releases of the year. 

The opening track, “all-american bitch” offers an immediate soundtrack to the feminine teenage experience, offering diversity and early 2000’s nostalgia. Simple instrumentals frame the less-than-quiet chorus and illustrate feminine rage and how young women (including Rodrigo) tend to hide it within positive manifestations. This transitions seamlessly into “bad idea right?” the second single off the record and a perfect song for those of us who never quite have the strength to walk away. The song feels like a late teens early twenties experience and the consistent bassline underneath Rodrigo’s near perfect pop performance feels like reckoning. 

“vampire,” the first single off the record, feels miles away sonically, post-listen. In terms of wide appeal, no other track hit the nail on the head quite like this one. With its progressive build up, Rodrigo’s inspired vocals and a masterfully crafted bridge, it’s hard to say she made the wrong choice for radio play. 

Track four, “lacy,” stands out from all the others. It perfectly displays an unrequited feminine jealousy, a moment of endless admiration and burning pain. Rodrigo’s vocals float over the track, with angelic harmonized vocals backing. Lyrics like, “I despise my rotten mind and how much it worships you,” leave us all not only wondering who the song is about, but stunned by the new sound and its emotional weight. 

“ballad of a homeschooled girl” has some great writing, its humor is shining moment and seperates itself from her past lyricism. Out of all tracks, this one felt most repetitive, it felt like Nigro ™, not something on a brand new project for one of the world’s biggest artist’s currently. Unfortunately, you just don’t want to listen to something where the title is more interesting than the song. 

Like other great’s before her, Rodrigo addresses the pressures of fame and how shitty it feels when all your dreams don’t feel good in “making the bed.” It’s different from other tracks on the project, it’s not rock, pop, or a downtrodden piano tune, it exists in it’s own introspective space but as Rodrigo said, “it’s me who's been making the bed.” 

Out of some of the slower tracks on the project, “logical,” in terms of writing was done thoughtfully and poetically, though the production could be considered a little underwhelming. The bridge leaves listeners angry at whoever told her she “can’t take a joke, can’t get you off.”

“get him back!” offers a redemption for Nigro’s heavier production and if you are able to step back as a listener and let the humor of the track breathe, you’ll love the witty wordplay. Rodrigo’s ability to represent a toxic love/hate scenario, is not only relatable but also hits the tone of an angry twenties anthem. 

On the same wavelength aesthetically, “love is embarrassing,” is an upbeat tune about exactly what the title says. Rodrigo discusses breakups and the power someone can have over you when you’re in love which is yet again, a common theme for her, with the production and lyricism is similar to her past works.

“the grudge” stands out against other ballad styles tracks on the record, it lands exactly where it should on the relatability scale. Lyrics like, “we both drew blood, but man those cuts were never equal,” launch listeners to a time when they were betrayed and whether it be by a partner, a friend (this option hurts the most), family, etc. you’re going to find a lyric in this project that feels like a punch to the stomach. 

Where songs about insecurities are concerned, the penultimate track, “pretty isn’t pretty” fits it’s demographic. The drumline is catchy and Rodrigo vocally sounds great, however it’s not unique, even to other artists. Though it doesn’t make an impression like some other tracks, it definitely has the room to grow on listeners.

The final track, “teenage dream” is a beautiful track about being young, feeling old, and having no clue who you are. Introspective lines like, “It gets better, but what if I don't?” build in the outro, with some drums and backing vocals added to the previously simple piano melody. It’s hard to describe the feeling it replicates, but it lands well and for a project like GUTS and the teenage girls in their twenties listening to it, it’s the perfect closing sentiment.  Overall, GUTS is a great album with a few outstanding tracks, following Rodrigo’s typical lyrical themes.

GUTS is out now.