Let’s stop feeling “Sour” and let’s spill our “Guts” with Olivia Rodrigo’s new album, Guts, which was released September 8.
This is Rodrigo’s second album after her debut, Sour, an album that hit number one on the Billboard charts in 2021 for five weeks with beloved, teen angst, heart-aching pop hits like “Driver’s License” and “Good 4 U”.
In Guts, Rodrigo has 12 new songs, each just as catchy and thrilling as those on Sour. So let’s rank these songs and dive deep into their meaning while also giving some appreciation and applause to Rodrigo’s amazing songwriting.
12. Logical
Rodrigo expresses frustration and heartache at her ex in this melancholic song as she questions his actions and how she wasted her time trying to change him—and partially blaming herself for the fallout. Rodrigo smoothly and thoroughly sings with frustration and heartbreak laced in the melody, but she truly carries this song with her strong voice.
11. Making the Bed
“I’m so tired of being the girl that I am / every good thing has turned into something I dread,” Rodrigo sings regarding her growing pains through this gut-wrenching song of existential crisis as her life evolves before her eyes. She recounts regrets and tries to adjust to them, despite her dissatisfaction and discomfort in these new changes, as her life spirals out of control—something many can all relate to. But in the end the hardest only make us stronger, and Rodrigo writing this one will only make her stronger.
10. Lacy
In this tale of a song, jealousy spirals in Rodrigo as she feels intimidated by the titular little-miss-perfect character. Each lyric is about her character coated in a tone of soft and sweet yet venomous chorus of Rodrigo’s envy of her beauty, grace, and charm . . . and the desire to be just as perfect as her.
9. Teenage Dream
On the finishing track of the album, Rodrigo laments on turning 19 and expresses doubts about the future, questioning if she will spend the rest of her life wishing she could go back, and reflecting on the what ifs, which is honestly pretty relatable to many in her audience. Sometimes life is topsy turvy and leaves question marks, but in the end, it works out, and Rodrigo perfectly ends the album with a question for the future leaning into possibilities yet to come. And whatever it is, I’m sure she’ll be ready.
8. Bad Idea Right?
“Seeing you tonight, it's a bad idea, right?” Rodrigo repeatedly sings, reeling on being at a party with her ex and lingering feelings for him, but she blows it off as nothing in this catchy rock-hard song. The catchy chorus itself in a way also resembles the teenage mind’s repetitive way of thinking on certain matters and situations.
7. Love is Embarrassing
In this catchy, fun pop-rock song, Rodrigo sings about her short-lived romance (a month to be precise) with her ex and putting up with his antics just to please him. This song is just as good as “Good 4 U” with its lyrics of frustration, yet it also ties so well with the beat of the song, and the rock music jamming in the background makes it pop.
6. Pretty Isn’t Pretty
This song really speaks to the unfortunate truth about how today’s media can take a toll with its ridiculous expectations and ideals for woman and teen girls (as well as men and boys) and their self esteem. Rodrigo writes this like a true genius as we’re sure she’s gone through it, and so have we, but in the end, this song speaks positive truth: pretty isn’t pretty enough. But that’s okay because we’re all human and no one is perfect.
5. Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl
“Each time I step outside, it’s social suicide” a lyric everybody can relate to, whether if it’s going to school or any other crowded place, when you would rather be at home doing your own thing. This catchy rock-hard ballad perfectly executes such feelings with each repetitive lyric and riveting guitar riffs.
4. The Grudge
This track speaks truths about how some people can resent someone who hurt their feelings, and these lyrics are literal facts: “And I try to understand why you would do this all to me, you must be insecure, you must be so unhappy and I know, in my heart, hurt people hurt people.” It truly rings with truth and relatable emotions, and the lyrics fit perfectly into the song. So much pain and betrayal in the lyrics balances with an amazingly composed melody, and with Rodrigo soulfully singing this song it’s just so transcending.
3. Vampire
This is the first song from Guts that Rodrigo released as a single June 30, and it was an absolute hit with fans. The song alludes to Rodrigo’s love of the popular book and movie franchise, Twilight. There’s an amazing bridge and really good lyrics about yet another heartbreak of Rodrigo’s, yet that’s what also makes her music really good, and it seems to be a beautiful way for Rodrigo to express herself.
2. Get Him Back!
From the sweet sound of all the guitars and Rodrigo’s witty and brilliant lyrics, a song conveying a love-hate relationship with a boy and the upbeat music is all so incredibly tuneful and reflects how some people can care about someone but dislike them at same time. Sometimes nothing is funnier than sweet revenge (not that it’s a good thing, but sometimes it’s fun when someone deserves it).
1. All American B**
The album’s first track is an all out number one in some fans’ books already. It's fun, messy, expressive, loud, liberating, and relatable to teenagers who just want to be free to speak their minds, let out all their emotions, and unapologetically be themselves. This song is perfect for any girl (or anybody) who can jam and rock out—just scream and let it all out.
Guts is awesome, and Rodrigo outdoes herself as a singer, songwriter, and more than that a storyteller with these expressive, unapologetically angsty and liberating pop-punk melodies.
And for those who can’t get enough of Rodrigo’s new album, soon she’s going to release a deluxe album with four new songs: “Obsessed”, “Scared of My Guitar”, “Stranger”, and “Girl, I’ve Always Been.”
Fans can’t wait to hear these new songs and maybe even more. One thing’s for sure: Rodrigo is going to be the next big thing, maybe even bigger than Taylor Swift . . .