Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Olivia Rodrigo’s (“SOUR”) sophomore album “GUTS” was released Sept. 8. “GUTS” has 12 songs that expand on the issues of girlhood, heartbreak and societal pressures. Rodrigo released two singles off of the album: “vampire” on June 30, and “bad idea right?” on Aug. 11. 

“GUTS ‘’ has a grungy pop sound that mimics early 2000’s icons like Avril Lavigne (“Let Go”). Rodrigo’s debut album “SOUR” had more of a sad feel and most of the songs were ballads and had a lyrical style, while “GUTS” explores an edgier rock vibe. Songs like “all-american b*tch,” “ballad of a homeschool girl,” and “get him back!” each have intense drums and emphasis on the electric guitar sound. But “GUTS” still has its fair share of heartbreaking ballads like “vampire,” “logical,” “the grudge,” and “teenage dream.” 

Rodrigo explores the hardships of being a teenage girl in a unique and fun style. She is not afraid to have fun in her writing, which allows the serious moments of the album to feel more authentic. She avoids trying too hard to be deep. Rodrigo is breaking the mold that “girly” things cannot be taking seriously. “GUTS” has many silly yet relatable lyrics, such as, “And I’m sure I’ve seen much hotter men/But I really can’t remember when” (“bad idea right?”) and deep lyrics like “Got your whole life ahead of you, you’re only nineteen/But I fear that they already got all the best parts of me/And I’m sorry that I couldn’t always be your teenage dream” (“teenage dream”).

“GUTS” is performing well and being well-received on social media platforms like TikTok. The themes of feeling behind, misunderstood and out of place are relatable feelings among teenage girls especially with social media, and Rodrigo does a great job of capturing what that looks like. She is not afraid to show the ugly side of it. In “lacy,” Rodrigo shows what jealousy and comparison on social media looks like saying, “And I despise my jealous eyes and how hard they fell for you/Yeah, I despise my rotten mind and how much it worships you.” 

Rodrigo does a great job of expressing hard feelings without tearing other girls down, showing the ugliness of envy, but not blaming the girl she is jealous of. “GUTS” also tackles the issue of the expectation on the teenage girl, but more specifically on girls in the media. Rodrigo shows this in “all american b*tch” stating, “I’m grateful all the time/I’m sexy and I’m kind/I’m pretty when I cry”. This song pokes fun at the standard many girls feel they have to fit, and Rodrigo does a great job at showing the frustration that comes with these expectations. 

Heartbreak and boy problems are also big themes on this album. “bad idea right?” and “get him back!” have fun undertones on the relatable issues of messy relationships and situationships. Still, “GUTS” has strong ballads like “the grudge.” In these sad songs, Rodrigo encapsulates the frustration and heartbreak love can make one feel, stating in “the grudge,” “And I say I don’t care, I say that I’m fine/But you know I can’t let it go, I’ve tried/I’ve tried, I’ve tried for so long/It takes strength to forgive, but I don’t feel strong.”

“GUTS” is a teenage heartbreak album that many young people can relate and resonate with. Her use of imagery and metaphors are a powerful tool that allows listeners to understand what she is trying to say, while making it a fun and enjoyable listen. Overall, Rodrigo’s sophomore album appears to be another big hit and a great second album to explore style choices and further her position in the music industry.

Image from Olivia Rodrigo via Twitter.com