Olivia Rodrigo’s New Album, GUTS
By Melanie Gallo, Staff Writer (2023)
Image courtesy of Olivia Rodrigo/Geffen Records/Interscope Records
The GUTS album cover
Olivia Rodrigo’s second album, "GUTS," came out on September 8, 2023. Fans had been eagerly anticipating the release of this album since 2021, when Rodrigo’s first album, “SOUR”, came out. “GUTS” is the 20-year-old’s second No. 1 album, which has the fourth-biggest opening of all albums this year, following Travis Scott’s “Utopia." Although “GUTS” did not share the same initial success as “SOUR," listeners have grown to adore it.
Image courtesy of Stereogum
Image courtesy of Wikipedia
Rodrigo announced the release of “GUTS” in June, resulting in a wave of excitement. She first released the single “Vampire," which was nothing short of perfection. Later came the release of the second single, “Bad Idea Right?” These albums went straight to the top 10 of the singles chart. All over social media, people were posting these songs claiming “she’s a creative genius” and “the queen is officially back."
Image courtesy of Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images
Olivia Rodrigo’s VMA performance
In addition to Doja Cat, Demi Lovato, Shakira, and other singers, the 20-year-old performed at the VMAs. Rodrigo began with a passionate vocal performance of the song “Vampire” before the set started malfunctioning. It appeared to confuse members of the audience, but it turns out it was an intentional trick. Rodrigo picked back up with the song “Get Him Back!” This show was talked about for days and days among listeners.
Image courtesy of The Guardian
This album has a more mature feeling to it than “SOUR." As Olivia Rodrigo said, “This album encapsulates growing up and figuring yourself out in the world, and the awkwardness of that." This is why people in their twenties related to this album more than teens did. The songs in “GUTS '' reflect powerful feelings like heartbreak, anger, and self-hate. The album held up a window showing things that people face everyday like manipulation, envy, having unrealistic beauty standards, and having to deal with reality.
The excitement that “GUTS” inspires over people does not end here, Rodrigo announced that she’ll be going out on a 60-stop tour around the world in 2024. Fans are counting down the days until they see Olivia Rodrigo performing live.