Written by Tom Bedding
Without forcing it down our throats of being 'the next big thing', Olivia Rodrigo gives us heartbreaking, youthful pop that will impress many more than her generation. With impressive melodies and vocal delivers, here we have a debut record that shines brightly.
The album begins with the 90’s alt influence that Olivia Rodrigo claimed would be her debut album and to be honest... these edgy touches to the LP, really have something to it. would. ‘brutal’ is a fantastic offering by the artist, giving a classic gen-z twist on the style with her vocal delivery and lyrical content (the reference of not being able to parallel park made me chuckle). The song's chorus packs a great punch and the band feel to it gives, ’Sour', an opener that truly surprises and excites.
’traitor’ is the first of the classic heartbreak, ballad that many expect from the artist on the record and is a fine addition to her collection of heartache songs. The vocal melody is good, which has some great mixing to it to make it fit, with the slight 2014 mid tempo pop feel to it.
Now for the big one…..who cares if its becoming overplayed….you can not get tired from talking about ‘drivers license’, the iconic single still feels as impactful as it did when it was released. The tracks origins has become well known and has a needed backstory explained: *cough cough* Rodrigo came to fame through the Disney+ show ‘High School Musical: The Musical’ and had to deal with breaking up with her co-star on the show, Joshua Bassest. So with the relationship being in the limelight and the this fella going onto another famous people after the break-up, the anticipation of Olivia Rodrigo releasing a song about this situation, was huge.
Amazingly the result was fantastic, this single offers you such relatable pain and follows a narrative that so many have experienced. Olivia sounds fantastic and the construction of the song is flawless, capturing such a burning pain within its impressive melody and building up so impressively, to make it such an emotional song for everyone.
Naturally there were going to be people wondering if this debut album would match up to what the first single offered, which it mostly does and in particular with ‘1 step forwards, 3 steps back’. The song samples Taylor Swifts ‘New Years Day’ and is a real secret jam that is sandwiched between two of the albums singles. It is short but pretty with its piano playing, with Olivia sounding so pure on her vocals, which ensures that this moment stands up against the bigger hitters on the LP.
Then we have the other big single in ‘deja vu’ and if you wanted Lorde to release a song that was very 2013 and not the curve-ball of ‘Royals’, this song is for you potentially. But more importantly, Rodrigo once agains shows off her talents again as she gives a very fitting performance on the vocal front, while the melody being catchy and highly impressive. The song flows so well and glides along the interesting instrumentation and the drum mixing solidly, you can feel how the artist has such great potential here.
credit: Press Image
‘good 4 u’ was another pre-released single, giving fans the extra spice that the artist promised after the first two emotional singles. I really enjoy the songs style and attempt for sure, its fantastic to hear Olivia go for this 00’s pop rock style, which brings a great extra texture to the record. However it does not match to the standard of the hits she has and actually the other band like cuts on this record. Many will enjoy this song which is great and it will also open many young listens to the song that is sampled on the song, the infamous ‘Misery Business’ by Paramore.
From her breakout single to wanting to be inspired by rock elements, there were always going to be cynics who see a new female artist break it and see them as a ‘label product’. Firstly this assumption is based on bull shit and sexism…and secondly it comes from pretentious ‘music listeners’ who want Greta Van Fleet to be seen as the second coming, give me strength please.
It’s a real shame those doubters will ignore Olivia Rodrigos talents and miss how lovely and impressive ‘enough for you’ is. This acoustic number gives the artists intentions a different scope and offers the listener a much needed sonic experience, at this stage of the album. Once again, the melody is solid and allows Rodrigo to paint the picture of heartbreak once more.
For anyone who allows Ed Sheeran to get away with cheap ballads like, ‘Perfect’, then listen to and educate yourself with ‘happier’. This lovely piano ballad has that waltz style but also contains some lovely quirky flavour to it. Olivia sings about wanting her ex to be happy after their breakup but prays that they will still think fondly of her, even to the point of hoping they know how better it all was with her. The delicacy and gen-z charm is combined well on this track, yet again giving us another impressive twist on the artists heartbreak song project.
The charm and quirk of this record is being fuelled by Olivia Rodrigo’s love of the amazing moments that the current bedroom-pop craze is offering to pop music, which Olivia Rodrigo is now definitely contributing to. Yes it would be harsh on the 18 year old to say this whole record is Eilish like but there are moments like ‘jealousy jealously’, that do feel similar to said artist. From the bass line feeling like it comes from the FINNEAS handbook to the vocal delivery feeling reminiscent of Billie’s style, this song is a great nod to the impactful institution of the Eilish's.
Hanina Pinnick for NME
As the LP comes to its final moments, you do wonder about what this artist will be able to offer as she grows into her music ability. There are some impressive and shinning moments throughout ’SOUR’ but you can say there is room for expansion and enhancement, which is exciting more than anything. With that in mimd, ‘favourite crime’ does feel rushed but after this stage of the album, there was always going to be a moment that felt either undercooked or simply not to the liking of anyones personal taste.
‘SOUR’ does finish on a great note though as a girl in red and bedroom-pop aesthetic comes into full force on ‘hope ur okay’. It is a really impressive way to finish the debut album and could possibly be an insight into what is next from Rodrigo. The pureness and gentleness of the production is rather wonderful, offering us a dream like state as a heartfelt goodbye.
Olivia Rodrigo has nailed this debut album that is filled with heartbreak and honesty, coated with impressive songwriting and potential that is leaving many pumped and content. Only time will tell if this artist will reach the heights of her new friend Taylor Swift but for now, let's enjoy this particular moment of 2021’s best new artist.
Bring Me The Music Recommended Tracks: brutal, drivers license, deja vu and hope ur okay
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