“GUTS”: Album of the year or anticlimatic?
On Sept. 8, singer-songwriter and actress Olivia Rodrigo published her latest pop-rock album “GUTS”. Rodrigo’s previous release and debut album, “SOUR”, was incredibly well received and secured her place in the pop world. Two years and three months later, fans have eagerly awaited her new music. In her new release, Rodrigo explores the theme of vulnerability and growth through her embittered, angsty melodies, which resonates with her teenage demographic.
Rodrigo expresses recent feelings of growth and self navigation, with tracks like “Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl” captivating the insecurity and confusion that come with being a teenager. Rodrigo sings of the universal feeling of social embarrassment and humiliation, singing “Every time I step outside, it’s social suicide.”
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Rodrigo shares how her experience with newfound adulthood inspired her songwriting process.
“This album encapsulates growing up and figuring yourself out in the world, and the awkwardness of that. I feel myself growing leaps and bounds,” Rodrigo said. “Lacy”, the fourth track, takes a different approach, shying away from her typical indie rock and opening with a much more gentle sound of acoustic guitar and soft vocals. This track, arguably the album’s best, touches on the feelings of near obsession and jealousy, and attempting to understand and control these irrational thoughts but simply being consumed by envy.
Since her last release two years ago, Rodrigo has made undeniable improvements in her vocals, production and writing, creating lyrics specific to herself and her experiences in a thoughtful and witty manner. However, “GUTS” presents itself as uninspired.
There are intense similarities from the cover art to the general style and sound, making it seem almost as an extension of “SOUR”, rather than entirely new and original material. Listeners are left with a feeling of vacancy, as this album has been highly anticipated. Yet, they are given a highly repetitive sequel to her previous album. As both fans and critics discuss worldwide, there is some debate whether Rodrigo is copying styles of other well-respected artists, and even bordering plagiarism. People claim Rodrigo has used melodies of artists such as Taylor Swift, Paramore and Elvis Costello, borrowing from songs like “Cruel Summer”, “Pump It Up”, and “Misery’s Business.” Rodrigo denied plagiarism claims, stating that they were attempts to “discredit any young woman’s work” (PAPER Magazine).
While many fans are satisfied with “GUTS”, others feel the album is unoriginal and forgettable, lacking experimental aspects. Regardless, Rodrigo made strides in improving the quality of her work and will undoubtedly have success with this new release. Given her young age, and relative newness to the music industry, Rodrigo is still discovering her music style and fans are awaiting to see how her music will develop in the years to come.
Larissa Hoffman / Billboard