GUTS / Olivia Rodrigo / September 8, 2023
- Joshua Yoo
- Nov 10, 2023
- 1 min read
The realm of teenage-focused pop and rock hasn’t been the same since Olivia Rodrigo’s debut two years ago. The question of the direction and staying power of her sophomore record couldn’t have been more anticipated, but the answer is a double-down on the sound that made her big in the first place, with even sharper writing and twice as much fun.
There’s not much of a change in terms of topical focus or genre inspiration, but Olivia Rodrigo and her trusted producer Dan Nigro improve on nearly every front. The big, high-energy singles are thrilling, full of teenage energy in an endearingly angsty way, where even the most stereotypical elements of young pop-punk like the spoken-word chorus on “bad idea right?” or banging distorted guitar passages on “all-american bitch” are pure fun.
The ballads are also a step-up in thematic depth, as Olivia cuts deeper about her self-image and growing pressures as a now full-blown star. The growing dissatisfaction and unhappiness with her current fame is perhaps most poignant on ‘making the bed’, a cathartic, saddening yet stunning midpoint to the album where the breadth of her vocal ability and writing really shine. This and other moments such as “the grudge”and “pretty isn’t pretty” are welcomed counterparts to the plethora of consistent pop-rock across the album.
Even if some can’t relate or find meaning in the teenage experience that ‘GUTS’ continues for Olivia, the quality of songwriting and performances should be recognized regardless.
Highlight(s): get him back!, all-american bitch, pretty isn’t pretty, making the bed, bad idea right?, ballad of a homeschool girl, vampire, the grudge
Lowlight(s): lacy, logical
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