GUTS' greatest strength may not even be Rodrigo's voice or the music surrounding it. GUTS is essentially just an even better version of SOUR so while it's unlikely to snag very many new fans for Olivia, those who found her debut charming in any way will most assuredly fall in love with this album. ![]() There's also less (arguably zero) filler, and even the weakest tracks here are still enjoyable to play within the record's broader framework. From a songwriting perspective, Olivia took what made Sour so good and refined it to near-perfection everything sounds a little smoother, a little catchier, and slightly better written. Her versatility is on full display on the jagged and carefree 'bad idea right?' – a song that sounds so much better in context than it did as a single – and she's perhaps never sounded as heavenly as she does on the sweet melody of 'lacy', where her vocals are layered to beautiful effect before building to a satisfying electronic/synth flourish. GUTS' undeniable success starts with 'all american bitch', a heavily punk/rock-influenced track that alternates between acoustic picking and electric chords while Olivia explores the unattainable ideals for women in American culture, most notably in the outro when she sings, mockingly: "I'm grateful all the time / I'm sexy and I'm kind / I'm pretty when I cry, oh, all the (fucking) time." Speaking of which, Olivia's vocals – which have always been great – sound even more powerful and nimble throughout GUTS. Perhaps it shouldn't be considered a surprise, but GUTS is bolder, better, and even more bombastic than its predecessor. But instead of searching for an avenue of expansion on her sophomore LP GUTS, Rodrigo decided to double down on the pop-rock and punk of her debut – arguably a riskier venture than actually branching out considering that it felt like SOUR had laid all of its cards out on the table. It felt like she nailed the exact vibe/aesthetic she was aiming for, and that the best creative move for her in the future would likely include some kind of genre pivot to keep things interesting, even if minor. Tracks like 'driver's license', 'deja vu', and 'traitor' became airwave staples, cementing Rodrigo as pop's latest shining star. On the lyrical front, she became known for her angst/edginess and clever wordplay – an ideal complement to the style of music she employed. ![]() Olivia Rodrigo catapulted to the forefront of mainstream music in 2021 with SOUR, an album that combined melodic radio-friendly pop with just enough of a punk edge to differentiate her from her peers. Review Summary: SOUR part two, but the results this time are even sweeter.
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