On June 26, 2023 Olivia Rodrigo announced her new album GUTS would release on Sept. 8, 2023. Rodrigo is a young Filipino-American singer-songwriter who was previously known for her hit song “Driver License” and her album SOUR, gaining millions of listeners and fans.
She generally sings pop music, but attempts to reinvent herself with her newest album through alternative and rock. Following Rodrigo’s previous album SOUR, she uses her newest album to illustrate the hardships she has faced growing up into a young adult.
Her album GUTS also consists of songs that depict breakups she has gone through. In the song “the grudge,” she incorporates the lyrics, “trust that you betrayed, confusion that still lingers. You took everything I loved and crushed it in between your finger.” This has an emotional effect on listeners in a positive way.
She also creates songs that relate to social embarrassments shown in the lyrics for the song “ballad of a homeschooled girl”; “I’m on the outside of the greatest inside joke and I hate all my clothes” Showing how being an outcast affects a person’s mental health.
Rodrigo’s songs produce impactful messages through her lyrics that teenagers find engaging as they resemble aspects of their lives. Rodrigo does this so her audience is able to create a unique relationship to her music.
Rodrigo yells her heart out in the song “vampire.” “Vampire” starts with using metaphors that explain how she feels about ignoring the signs of a toxic relationship. Then the beat picks up and Rodrigo begins to shout the lyrics, “I used to think I was smart but you’ve made me look so naive.”
The song “lacy” is a lovely lyrical song that demonstrates how teenage girls feel when they are insecure about other women. Rodrigo uses lyrics such as, “try to rationalize that people are people but it’s like you’re made of angel dust” to explain the emotions of feeling less beautiful than another person. Teenagers in this generation feel increased levels of insecurity about looks as illustrated in “lacy.”
Looking into the more gentle side of the album GUTS, the song “making the bed” is a softer melody with words that are more understandable, allowing the listeners to fully get the feeling of the song. The song portrays the struggle of always being the person who puts in effort for all types of relationships.
As shown in the lyrics “push away all the people who know me the best, but it’s me who’s been making the bed.”
We all enjoy a good headbanging chorus but, GUTS may be at its best when Rodrigo uses lyrics: “you mean all those words you said, I’m sure that girl is your friend.” Describing a thought she had while being betrayed by a person she loved in the song “logical” to talk to the listeners from her heart
Rodrigo includes a combination of songs from having a lyrical melody to upbeat rock. “Teenage dream” explains the fear of growing up, which she does by showcases the two prominent genres the album falls under, rock and alternative. The song starts with a lyrical piano introduction then the typo starts to speed up a distorted guitar melody.
This is not only an example of how Rodrigo’s song writing changes into a delicate tone, but it also shows how Rodrigo is able to bounce back and forth from beautiful lyrics that listeners feel positively impacted by, to songs that allow people to express their true feelings. Olivia Rodrigo’s new album brings a unique opportunity to connect with her audience while providing enjoyable songs to listen to.
