When Olivia Rodrigo released her album “Sour” it became an immediate fan favorite. So, when she announced that her new album “Guts” was coming out this September, the world had high hopes. I’ve found that the album has lived up to its expectations, and Rodrigo has once again delivered with her catchy songs and important messages.
One of the most notable things about Rodrigo’s new songs are the genuine and authentic lyrics. She dives deep into her lyrics, thoughtfully and meticulously working through life’s struggles in her music. For example, Rodrigo expresses the problem with today’s expectations and norms in songs like “pretty isn’t pretty.” She discusses the need for people to look prettier and fit in with society’s expectations of beauty because they’re not as good or pretty as everyone else. This is especially prevalent in the chorus, where Rodrigo says, “When pretty isn't pretty enough, what do you do? And everybody's keepin' it up, so you think it's you.”
She is able to correctly depict the reality of comparison and the brutal truth that everyone views others as better or more put together than himself or herself. Ultimately, she finds that we can never be pretty enough if we want to fit in with the made-up standards of society.
Another topic which many can relate to is Rodrigo’s “ballad of a homeschooled girl.” Truth be told, I was not expecting much of this song to connect with me, despite being a lifelong homeschooler myself. To me, the life of an average homeschooler and of a celebrity homeschooler are very different. However, I was shocked at how well the song covered the struggles of being a homeschooler (or former homeschooler) and trying to make friends. The social struggles are especially prevalent in lyrics such as
“I broke a glass, I tripped and fell
I told secrets I shouldn't tell
I stumbled over all my words
I made it weird, I made it worse”
These lyrics truly encapsulate the feeling of not understanding the typical social cues in life and feeling like you’re messing everything up. While the lyrics are written from a homeschooled perspective, anyone who’s ever felt anxious, confused or overwhelmed in social situations can relate to these lyrics as well.
Olivia Rodrigo’s music continues to be notorious for its relatability and catchiness. It is very easy for people to use their words for evil or malicious purposes, but Rodrigo uses her words in a way to connect and resonate with others’ experiences, helping people in tough times and situations to feel heard and understood. With the direction that Rodrigo is taking, it seems very likely that she will continue to have success in the musical field.