Olivia Rodrigo’s new album, “GUTS,” is a masterstroke. Released Sept. 8, “GUTS” is Rodrigo’s sophomore effort, following her critically-acclaimed and well-loved debut, “SOUR.” On “SOUR,” Rodrigo’s sound was primarily pop, with alternative and punk influences. These influences were most apparent on tracks such as “brutal” and “good 4 u.” Rodrigo leans into rock throughout this album, and she seems to have found a perfect creative niche. “Guts” alternates between louder, more rock-based tracks and softer ballads guided by piano and guitar.
“GUTS” was produced primarily by Dan Nigro, Rodrigo’s collaborator for her debut album, “SOUR.” He is credited with writing and producing throughout the entire project. Rodrigo herself had a hand in writing each track; she also participated in the production of the track “lacy.” Aside from Nigro, only two tracks feature other co-writers: Julia Michaels for “logical,” and Amy Allen for “pretty isn’t pretty.” Rodrigo’s self-composition is obvious within the album; the lyrics feel personal and tangible.
“GUTS” has garnered even more acclaim than its predecessor, with the album being deemed an “instant classic” by Rolling Stone. Proving its success further, “GUTS” debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. “vampire”, the album’s lead single, debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Rodrigo is planning to tour the album. She will embark on the “Guts World Tour” on Feb. 23, 2024. The tour is comprised of 75 total dates across North America and Europe, including a tour date at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. on July 20, 2024.
“GUTS” was a solid album from start to finish, making it nearly impossible to pick favorites off the record. I decided to pick three tracks to do full, in-depth reviews of. While these were my three favorite tracks, the other songs on the album are incredible as well, and are all worth a listen. With a variation of genres and moods, “GUTS” truly has something to offer for everyone.
1. bad idea right?
“bad idea right?” was the second single released by Rodrigo prior to the release of “GUTS.” The track follows Rodrigo’s relationship with an ex-boyfriend. With a music video that takes clear inspiration from the 90s and a song that does as well, “bad idea right?” is a blast from the past in a very positive way. The track is incredibly clever; it oscillates between sing-talk verses and a loud, drum-driven chorus. For the second pre-chorus, Rodrigo uses her own scream as the backing instrument, one of many creative choices within the song’s composition and production. The end of “bad idea right?” features a riffing guitar atop of repeated phrases from the song’s chorus, bringing the song to a satisfactory close.
2. lacy
A part of me is embarrassed to admit that “lacy” is my favorite track off of this album. It’s nothing like what I’d normally listen to. Where tracks such as “all american b*tch” and “ballad of a homeschooled girl,” some of my other favorites on “GUTS”, are loud and brash, “lacy” is soft, delicate and floaty. Somehow, the song’s delicacy is what makes it completely addictive. This song features a somewhat different vocal color and delivery from Rodrigo; she leans into the breathiness of her voice, using it to accentuate the ballady nature of the song. Soft guitar strums back Rodrigo’s voice as she croons. The lyrics appear to focus on the longing for someone. Whether it’s a crush, a friend, an anthropomorphised version of Rodrigo’s emotions or something else entirely is up to interpretation. Regardless, the lyrics paired with Rodrigo’s unparalleled delivery leave the listener completely drawn into the song.
3. all-american b*tch
“all-american b*tch” is the first song on the tracklist of “GUTS.” The song opens with a soft guitar and vocals, similar to many of Rodrigo’s softer, more pop-oriented songs. The chorus, however, is arguably the most punk-oriented on the album; the track switches abruptly between the two stark moods and sections. Following the song’s second and final chorus, it alternates to a strong bridge that closes with Rodrigo’s screams — fitting perfectly with the song’s punk aspects. The outro is a return to a more crooning style. It’s the perfect track to open the album, as it incorporates Rodrigo’s two main styles.
