GUTS is a collection of 12 tracks that delve into themes like love, heartbreak and self-discovery, making it a relatable and emotionally charged album for many listeners. Olivia sings about breakups, betrayals, and unfair expectations. Her songwriting abilities are evident throughout the record, with lyrics that are poignant and engage her target audience. On this album she seems to have more fun and her songs are more playful than on the previous SOUR.
Songs like ‘get him back!’ showcase Rodridgo’s rap talent as she talks about whether she hates or loves the guy she met last summer and whether she wants him back or to seek revenge. The lyrics are supported by rock heavy beats and guitar riffs. The song ‘bad idea right?’ is another rocky tune that contains speech-like lyrics. It is a chaotic advance track that can be interpreted as Elastica, bass, drums and guitars mirror the narrative of this song. They are building up the pressure until the chorus tips it over the edge and the song explodes into a short euphoria like frenzy. The 20 year old instills excitement in her listeners, as her tunes explode with energy and ideas, mixing typical rock elements with slower, emotionally charged piano sequences. GUTS shows Olivia’s wide range of talent and growth as an artist, with more complex lyrics and a variety of music genres.
Some good examples for this are track number 4: ‘lacy’ it has a whispery tune and it handles the topic of being mistreated by someone you love and how jealousy impacts those feelings. The song ‘making the bed’ is a self-reflecting ballad. Lyrics such as “Well, sometimes I feel like I don’t wanna be where I am,gettin’ drunk at a club with my fair-weather friends. Push away all the people who know me the best. But it’s me who’s been makin’ the bed” tie back to the saying ‘you’ve made your bed, now lie in it’, which means dealing with the consequences of your own behaviour. Olivia says she’s ‘tired of being the girl’ she is, and everything she once held dear has turned into things she no longer cares for— and she’s got no one to blame but herself.
The album opens with the song ‘all-american bitch’ which sets the tone for the rest of the album with its raw, angsty and witty lyrics. Other standout tracks include ‘vampire’, ‘making the bed’ and ‘get him back!’, all of which received significant attention and praise for their catchy melodies and emotional depth. The album varies from rock songs to sad ballads talking about strong emotions and previous heartbreaks.
Overall, this album is a mix of pop-rock songs that tell heartfelt stories in a witty and fun way. Songs about breakups, heartbreaks and self-reflection that create a bond between Olivia and her listeners. It might be missing the bubbly pop songs of SOUR but as a snapshot of what it’s like to be a teenager in today’s society, it fascinates from start to finish.
Written by: Elisa Anda
Edited by: Laura Finkler
