Olivia Rodrigo’s album GUTS just had its first birthday and I thought it would be a good time to review this album since I didn’t get to when it was released in September 2023. This is my favorite Olivia Rodrigo Project yet, which says a lot because her first album was incredible and a huge success. This album is about the journey of growing up and follows Olivia when she was 19-20 years old. It tackles themes centered on heartbreak, insecurity, and the messy process of self-discovery and who you want to be. The album strikes a balance between sarcasm and brutal honesty, capturing the frustration and confusion of growing up while navigating love and identity. Musically, it blends pop-punk energy with emotional ballads, drawing from both early 2000s rock influences and modern pop. Olivia’s voice shines with both anger and melancholy, giving the album an anthemic yet intimate tone that resonates deeply with her/our generation. I particularly love the energy on the album. Olivia doesn’t take herself too seriously, and I love the emotion that she brings to the songs, whether that is lyrically or just with her voice. I love the pop-punk vibes on this. I feel like we got a little bit of that on SOUR, like with the track “brutal,” but I love how she included more of that sound in this album. I’m personally not much of a ballad person, but these are an exception because the ballads on this album are really good. Olivia is raw with her lyrics, and her voice really shines through. Overall, this album is really good and I would give it an 8.5/10.
My Top 5 Tracks
I like to highlight some of my favorite songs from this album that I would totally recommend. My top 5 are listed below.
5: get him back!
The song “get him back” is a song about the complicated desire to both get back together and seek revenge on an ex. Olivia goes back and forth between reminiscing on the good times and venting her frustration over the hurt and betrayal. This song is full of witty, sharp lines that highlight the internal conflict, using humor and sarcasm to convey the mix of vulnerability and empowerment in navigating post-breakup feelings. I love the energy of this song, the witty lines, and how it feels like Olivia is telling you a story like a friend throughout the song. Musically, it’s a cool pop-rock song with good production.
4: pretty isn’t pretty
The song “pretty isn’t pretty” dives into the pressures of societal beauty standards and the endless cycle of feeling inadequate, no matter how much one tries to meet unrealistic expectations. Lyrically, Olivia Rodrigo reflects on the exhaustion of chasing perfection, with poignant lines about the never-ending pursuit of external validation through makeup, fashion, and self-alteration. It’s really a great message that I agree with and personally relate to. This song musically, sounds like a pop song with a dash of retro in the instrumentation. Overall, I like it and it’s catchy.
3: love is embarrassing
The song “love is embarrassing” explores the regret and self-reflection that often follows a failed relationship, particularly when you look back and realize how foolish you felt in love. Lyrically, Olivia Rodrigo expresses the frustration of having ignored red flags and invested emotionally in someone who didn’t deserve it. There’s a mix of anger and embarrassment as she recounts how love made her act irrationally, with lines that balance self-deprecating humor and raw honesty about how love can sometimes make us feel humiliated. Musically, the song leans into an upbeat, pop-punk style with energetic guitars and a fast tempo, giving it a fun, almost sarcastic vibe despite the emotional content. I love how this song is so upbeat and she doesn’t take herself too seriously.
2: ballad of a homeschooled girl
The song “ballad of a homeschooled girl” is about being socially awkward. This makes the song incredibly relatable as Olivia speaks of awkward situations she’s been through like calling someone the wrong name or saying the wrong thing. It has a pop-punk/grunge vibe that I love! That, paired with the relatable lyrics makes this song number 2 on this list.
1: all-american b*tch
“all-american bitch” is a sharp commentary on the pressure to embody the perfect, idealized version of femininity—specifically, the contradictory expectations placed on women to be polite, composed, and agreeable, while also being strong and independent. Lyrically, Olivia Rodrigo uses a blend of sarcasm and biting wit to explore these conflicting demands, with lines that highlight how women are expected to be effortlessly perfect. Musically, the song contrasts soft, melodic verses with bursts of angsty, punk-inspired choruses, mimicking the tension between control and rebellion that the lyrics address. The verses are more restrained, almost serene, while the choruses erupt with raw energy and aggression, symbolizing the breaking point of holding back emotions. I absolutely love the energy on this song and it sounds so good, making it number 1.