“Guts” is the highly anticipated second album of ascendant superstar Olivia Rodrigo, whose refreshing production and gut-wrenching lyrics led to global recognition on her four-time platinum debut, “Sour”
“Guts” leans far into the aesthetics of the punchy guitar anthems of Rodrigo’s debut album. Everything about this album feels heavier. The subject matter of the lyrics combined with the grittier, forceful production makes for an exciting listen. The first track, “all-american bitch,” is a standout. “I’m as light as a feather” Rodrigo sings against light and airy acoustic plucking. Suddenly, the song takes a mid 2000’s-esque pop punk turn that kicks the listener in the teeth. Rodrigo screams in the background as she sings “I don’t get angry when I’m pissed, I’m the eternal optimist.” Almost instantaneously, the amp turns off, the song lulls down, and Rodrigo sings about how grateful she is “all the time.” “all-american bitch” tackles the expectations of being a woman in America and makes it so catchy. It seems to be what Rodrigo does best.
Rodgrio’s creative songwriting shines throughout the album. Her voice bellows against jarring piano keys about feeling used in a relationship in “vampire,” comparing it to being punctured and drained by a real vampire. Songs such as “bad idea right” and “love is embarrassing” give the listener secondhand embarrassment as Rodrigo belts about drunken rendezvous with old flames or the confusion of getting ghosted. In-between these songs sits the relentless “making the bed,” which crescendos into a titular breaking point with textured electric guitar chords juxta-positioning against Rodrigo’s voice. The lyrics and instrumental simultaneously tell a story of almost losing control.
“Guts” is a fantastic coming of age album which paints a picture of the gray area of leaving your teenage years into your 20s. There’s a constant theme of the push-and-pull of what society expects someone to be versus what someone is. The angsty pop-punk production combined with lush ballads captures the chaos of growing up. “Guts” is a perfect mix of teenage angst and foreboding dread of what comes after. I really enjoyed this album, and I’m excited to see what Olivia Rodrigo will do next.
