Olivia Rodrigo Brings Back Teen Angst with New Album “Guts"

Photo by Sebastiaan Chia on Unsplash

At only twenty years old, Olivia Rodrigo has been under overwhelming pressure to follow up on her 2021 record-breaking debut album “SOUR.” With the release of her sophomore album “GUTS” on September 8th, she returns in style, with an honest and mature outlook on the ending of her teenage years.

The Disney Channel actor turned Grammy winner’s new album is already critically acclaimed, receiving incredible praise scores from publications such as Rolling Stone, NME, The Independent, and more. The continuation of commercial success is already shown as well for the young star, as she is the face of many featured playlists across Spotify and Apple Music. Rodrigo spent the past year writing the album with her collaborator and close friend Dan Nigro, who’s worked with Taylor Swift and Conan Gray as well.

Back in June 2023, Rodrigo released the lead single for her upcoming album, titled “Vampire.” It’s a record that shows various similarities to her first-ever solo track, the #1 hit song “Drivers License.” From the piano ballad to the emotional bridge to the powerful ending, the tracks go hand in hand with each other. However, that doesn’t mean this isn’t a stylistic change whatsoever. In fact, “Vampire” is a much bolder statement, as the grandiose, loud, powerful track filled with anger instead of sadness gives teen angst a new look in the modern music age.

On Rodrigo’s most recent single “Bad Idea Right?,” she took another shot at a pop-rock approach. Similar to her 2021 track “Brutal,” the guitars are sharp, loud, and exhilarating, as she uses the chorus to convey a raw punk sound. Her influences are clear, as she seems to pay homage to a good amount of the 2000s pop-rock scene, in particular Paramore, the alternative-rock band who received songwriting credits on Rodrigo’s debut album.

It’s safe to say that “GUTS” doesn’t reinvent the wheel. However, it reveals a new side of her artistry, building upon its predecessor in droves. The album is filled with harmonic ballads and rock tracks, with explosive moments that make “SOUR” sound much simpler than ever. Also, now that she’s matured musically, she touches on much deeper topics.

In particular, the track “Logical” is a tough pill to swallow, as it’s a ballad where she reflects on a dreadful relationship. The lyrics “Argument you held over my head/Brought up the girls you could have instead/Said I was too young, I was too soft/Can’t take a joke, can’t get you off” open up topics of manipulation, and particularly naivete which she previously mentioned on “Vampire.”

“Lacy” seems to be the direct sequel of her track “Jealousy, jealousy,” but instead of a pop rock jam, it’s an acoustic, harmonizing song that fills your heart through its emotional charm. Whether the focus is looks, relationships, or fame, the idea of comparing herself to the perfect woman seems to be an ongoing struggle for Rodrigo, which explains why the topics on “Logical” were so nail-biting.

The most noticeable theme of the album is growing up with the flaws of being a celebrity. In particular, “Making the Bed” stands out as one of her most honest songs to date. The lyrics “I tell someone I love them just as a distraction/They tell me that they love me like I'm some tourist attraction/They're changin' my machinery and I just let it happen/I got the things I wanted, it's just not what I imagined” reflect on the imperfections of fame she once dreamed of to be perfect.

Another sign of growth is shown in the closer, “Teenage Dream,” a piano ballad that ends in a defining breakdown, repeating the lyrics “they all say that it gets better/but what if I don't?” as a way to show the worrisome feeling of the common sophomore slump after reaching what she assumes was her peak on her debut.

“GUTS” has been highly anticipated throughout the year, and delivered. The satisfaction and feedback that fans worldwide have shown so far have been overwhelmingly positive. Sure, some feel that Rodrigo didn’t take enough risks, or spread her variety, but I feel that she took the elements of what she does best, and grew with it through time. From her vocal improvements to the vastly intelligent writing to the cinematic music videos anticipating the era,

Olivia Rodrigo is a true visionary. It’s common to see young stars come and go from the spotlight, but with this instant album of the year contender, it’s safe to say that Rodrigo is here to stay.