Guts: AN Olivia Rodrigo ALBUM REVIEW

Posted 06.10.20233

8 September 2023 • Pop/Rock • 12 songs • 39 minutes • Geffen Records

★★★★★

FAV SINGLE: bad idea right?

TOP 3: love is embarrassing • making the bed • pretty isn't pretty 

Rodrigo's sophomore album is an immediate favourite. The album sees the 20 year-old venture into heavier, shoutier, more complex depths of the pop-rock genre. Similarly to Maisie Peters' 'The Good Witch', Olivia hasn't strayed too far from the bones of her debut album (Sour, 2021) but has still managed to present a brand new body of work that stands out on its own with clear distinction and implicit callbacks. She's pushed the boundary of what it means to be a mainstream pop musician, experimenting and finding her voice along the way. Which (by the way) is completely valid. Olivia is only 20, she's still figuring out who she is and she's taking risks like any other young adult. It just so happens that the whole world is watching. 'Guts' leans into more of a heavier, edgy, angsty sound than its predecessor whilst still maintaining pop influences.

Similarly to sour (2021), Olivia is the main songwriter on the record alongside Dan Nigro. Guts keeps Olivia's artistic direction and branches out by having very few songwriters and producers other than the genius duo for the odd song here and there. 

Immediately after the album was released, similarities to Paramore & Avril Lavigne poured in. Whilst not necessarily a bad thing (especially at first glance), it becomes annoying after a while. It's not even that similar but the music industry feels the need to clump them together purely because they're girls that sing over guitar. That's where the similarities start and end. This album clearly shows that Olivia takes inspiration from heavier songs like theirs, but that doesn't mean she's copying them - this is how music works. There are bound to be similar artists in mainstream music, it's inevitable. No-one says anything when male-fronted bands start gaining traction but when Olivia gains exponential popularity at such a young age, instead of applauding her, the industry tries to tear her down. 

As a record, it's one of the most cohesive, complete bodies of work I've listened to in a while. Every single song perfectly captures the essence of growing up and the inevitable & bruises that come with girlhood. It is, without a doubt, Sour's angstier, mature emo older sister with all the advice to give, if asked of course.