After releasing her debut album in 2021, pop-punk artist Olivia Rodrigo released her second album, “GUTS.” Although most fans are used to the melancholy sounds from her debut album, I’m excited to say that the new pop-punk sound fits a lot better.
Rodrigo released two singles titled “Vampire” and “Bad Idea Right?” prior to the release of the album, preparing listeners for “GUTS.” The track ¨Vampire¨ became quite popular, putting the song at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Rodrigo has accomplished a lot very early in her career. For example, her debut album “Sour” managed to have every song place on the Billboard Hot 100. Rodrigo also won Best New Artist during the 64th annual Grammy Awards. This year at the Grammy Awards, I have beyond a shadow of a doubt that Rodrigo will win album of the year for “GUTS.”
“GUTS” has a way of speaking on different topics and emotions that women, specifically teens, go through. Most songs on the album have her original sounds of sorrow while also using her new sound of female rage. The strategy of mixing her old genre into her new one is genius as it compels listeners to gravitate towards her new music while also getting a hint of the old ones.
Rodrigo’s vocals during every song are pure perfection as well. It is a theme throughout the album for her to build up her emotions and then go into her newer pop-punk vocals and style. The way she sings and the way she writes her music is truly art, and it is a privilege to be able to hear it.
The most popular song on “GUTS” is the track “Vampire.” When I first heard the song, I thought it for sure was going to be my favorite on the album. Although I was wrong about this prediction, “Vampire” still is an amazing track. The lyrics depict a significant other taking advantage of you. The track starts gloomy, but morphs into edginess and a slight rage.
As hard as it was to choose, my favorite song on “GUTS” is “Logical,” a song with stunning vocals and immaculate lyrics. It describes a scenario where you love someone, but they make you look stupid or illogical because they don’t love you back.
Rodrigo sings, “Now you got me thinking 2+2=5 and I’m the love of your life…”
This lyric is so simple yet so smart. It compares the idea of thinking that 2+2=5 to being the only love for the person who treated you badly or made you look stupid. Ergo, this “math” shows how dumb she thinks she looks.
Rodrigo says she is incredibly grateful for her fans and the ability to be able to make music in general.
“GUTS is an album about growing up and figuring out who you want to be in the world. I can’t thank you all enough for letting me grow up with you,” Rodrigo says in an interview with “GENIUS.”
I would describe “GUTS” as a layered album. What I mean by this is there are many different aspects of heartbreak, female rage, and teen troubles that are put into the album making it layered with many different topics and emotions. “GUTS” deserves all love and attention, and I strongly advise listeners to sink in with all the topics and emotions that it lays out.
