After months of anticipation, Olivia Rodrigo has returned not only with a riveting punk-pop explosion but tender, evocative acoustics. With the unveiling of the lead single, “vampire,” followed by “bad idea right?,” the singer-songwriter released the album, “Guts,” on September 8, 2023. Rodrigo concocts an eclectic mix of genres, seamlessly merging pop with indie rock.
Though I initially expected a repeat of her previous album, “Sour,” Rodrigo smoothly sidestepped predictability and brought fresher allure. The opener, “all-american b—-,” captivated listeners through its lyrical brilliance along with its fusion of sugary sarcastic lyrics and punk-like grit. “And I am built like a mother and a total machine / I feel for your every little issue, I know just what you mean,” Rodrigo sings. In these lines, she explores the depths of modern feminism and sarcastic empathy alike. Rodrigo’s attention to detail adds more depth to her song, making it an instant favorite.
Upon first listen, “vampire” offered nothing new from the prior album. The song had undeniable fervor, but it lost its momentum at the climactic line “Bloodsucker / Fame f—.” However, I do appreciate its seamless transition from gentle melodies to fast rock beats, the main pattern of the album.
“Bad idea right?” stands out as a highlight of the album. “Yes, I know that he’s my ex, but can’t two people reconnect?/ I only see him as a friend, the biggest lie I ever said.” The song captured the classic tug-of-war between logic and longing, almost humorously, to deal with the reconciliation of an ex-partner.
Beyond the revenge-filled numbers about an implied ex-boyfriend, Rodrigo plays into the relatability of being an insecure teenager. “Lacy” and “pretty isn’t pretty” speak about her relationship with anger, jealousy, and conflicting emotions. “Lacy, Oh Lacy, skin like puff pastry / Aren’t you the sweetest thing on this side of Hell,” Rodrigo sweetly sings. “Lacy” acts as an excellent deification (Lacy is called an angel multiple times) of Rodrigo’s inferiority complex, bringing out an obsessive near homoerotic obsession with the other girl. The song “pretty isn’t pretty” reminded me of the songs from the 2010s, despite the unapologetically self-loathing lyrics. Rodrigo provides an exploration of the relentless pressures of societal beauty standards with the line, “I could change up my body and change up my face,” especially standing out because of its helpless desperation.
“Guts” firmly establishes Rodrigo as an important voice of Gen Z. Navigating through the tumultuous trials of love, self-image, and teenage angst, the album is a diary of raw emotion filled with relatability. Though the shadows of “Sour” may linger, Rodrigo has matured in voice and in narrative, proving she’s more than a teen pop sensation. Olivia Rodrigo is here to stay, and I’m excited for what comes next.