Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘GUTS’ does not disappoint
By: Kate Zinke
Olivia Rodrigo didn’t disappoint with her long awaited sophomore album, GUTS. Her singles, “Vampire” and “Bad Idea Right?” showed fans a hint of what to expect from the songs where she goes full force into the alternative pop-punk world. The album focuses on the hardships and unpredictability that all teenage girls experience while displaying her vocal and songwriting talents.
GUTS starts strong, with “All-American Bitch”, which focuses on the different pressures that women face. With its soft verses that build into a strong, loud, and drum-heavy chorus that displays the anger that Olivia Rodrigo feels, it’s something most teenage girls can relate to. It sets an expectation and gives the listener a sneak-peek into the early 2000’s inspired album that has songs written about more than just break-ups, such as “Pretty isn’t Pretty” with the theme of body image issues.
In “Bad Idea Right?”, it centers around the longing for an ex. She creates a build up to the chorus by seeming to talk to herself, before it goes into another loud, pop chorus. Other songs on the album discuss romantic relationships in a similar way like “Get Him Back!”. Yet, she explores the theme farther in “Love is Embarrassing”, but sticks with a similar throwback to the early 2000’s with heavy drums throughout expressing the angst that Olivia feels.
Not all the songs on the album are pop radio-made hits. This album is evened out with ballads in between these louder, grungy songs. “Lacy”, one of the first slower songs on the album, features soft guitar chords, backing vocals, and her gentler singing to create this ballad. Rodrigo shows her range here, how she can do both pop and softer, calmer, songs. Additionally, “Logical” follows the same concept, but with a piano instead and seems to discuss a relationship, whereas “Lacy” is about being jealous of someone else. “Making the Bed”, takes on the softer side of her album, once again creating a relatable song that doesn’t consist of a headbanging, pop chorus.
“The Grudge” takes on the same concept as “Vampire”, with the softer, more heart wrenching lyrics, but with the stronger chorus. They both have louder backing instrumentals which consist of mostly piano and choruses that showcase her strong vocals. They seem to attempt to merge the loud pop sounds on her album with the softer ballads, with “The Grudge” doing it better overall.
Rodrigo ends the album with “Teenage Dream”, another soft ballad with piano and string instruments. A song that is relatable to teenagers and even those who recently exited their teenage years. The bridge transitions the song into a louder ending by adding drums in addition to Rodrigo’s vocals building to showcase the frustration she has with being a teenager and the fears of the future. It’s a good ending to GUTS, keeping it relatable to the average teenager while still showcasing her abilities as an artist. Overall, there is a balance between radio, grunge pop songs and soft ballads that create a successful sophomore album for Olivia Rodrigo.