Despite its name, Olivia Rodrigo’s “SOUR” will leave a good taste in your mouth. The new album follows the ebb and flow of post-break up teenage feelings from the melancholy and reflective “enough for you” to the angsty anthems of “brutal” and “good 4 u.” Throughout it all, Rodrigo maintains the perfect amount of bitter– just enough to be scarily sweet.

With the first track “brutal,” Rodrigo begins the album ablaze with punk savagery and messy teenage feelings. Heavy guitars play in the back as she lists the things that make being a teenager right now so brutal: being perceived, not having enough friends and, of course, parallel parking. She ends the song with a bit of mischief saying, “I don’t even know where to start” before opening the listener’s ears to the rest of the album.

“And I’m so sick of seventeen/ Where’s my fuckin’ teenage dream?
If someone tells me one more time/ “Enjoy your youth,” I’m gonna cry” – brutal

The airy and heavenly backing harmonies of “traitor” accompany the track’s honest and accusatory lyrics about feelings of betrayal after a former lover moves on too quickly. The chorus gives off a melody similar to Rodrigo’s new best friend, Conan Gray’s “Heather.”

“It took you two weeks to go off and date her/
Guess you didn’t cheat, but you’re still a traitor” – traitor

The album then moves into the oh-so-familiar “drivers license.” The piano-driven power in the chorus contrasts her quiet, introspective verses in a way that just makes you want to roll down your windows and scream the lyrics whether you’ve had a terrible breakup experience or not.

Listeners of “SOUR” can find Taylor Swift’s influences throughout the album but most specifically in the slower and more graceful “1 step forward, 3 steps back.” Rodrigo’s interpolation of Swift’s track “New Year’s Day” only further exemplifies her admiration for her idol, and she even gives a nod to Swift’s iconic 13 in the song’s title.

What makes Rodrigo’s songs so addicting is her blunt and honest lyrics combined with a specificity that is still relatable to listeners. Whether it’s Billy Joel songs in the mosquito-like “deja vu” or wearing makeup and reading self-help books in “enough for you,” she uses her experiences and feelings to tell a story that is comforting to those feeling the same pain.

Some might think that an album filled with songs about a break up may seem repetitive, but Rodrigo is simply embodying the true adolescent experience and allowing herself to feel all the emotions. “SOUR” is as cathartic and healing as it is taunting and furious. She is finally heard, and now she can move on.

However, Rodrigo’s honest teenage feelings are also mixed with mature self awareness. Later on the album, she sings, “And now I’m pickin’ her apart/
Like cuttin’ her down will make you miss my wretched heart,” while showcasing her voice in “happier.”

She diverts from the break up narrative in “jealousy, jealousy” when singing about comparison and social media. One of my favorite songs from the album, the track is catchy and loaded with guitar accompanied with a little chaotic piano in the background.

The last angle of her break up saga on the album, “favorite crime,” uses extended metaphor to return back to her crafty lyricism.

“Know that I loved you so bad/ I let you treat me like that/ I was your willing accomplice, honey/ And I watched as you fled the scene/ Doe-eyed as you buried me/ One heart broke, four hands bloody” – favorite crime

Rodrigo rounds off the album with “hope ur ok,” a slower but extremely meaningful song about friends she’s lost contact with. The bridge gives off reminiscent vibes of your favorite pop Taylor Swift song. Despite feeling it all through her break up, she shows her mature side and thinks of others who might be going through something worse while wishing them well.

What makes Rodrigo’s sound so addicting and enthralling is the fact that she was influenced by the same artists we all grew up obsessed with. “SOUR” is laced with hints of Taylor Swift and Paramore and underlying flavors set by producer Dan Nigro, known for his work with other influential pop stars such as Conan Gray and Carly Rae Jepsen.

“SOUR” is somehow familiar yet new and exciting, and miss Olivia Rodrigo only proves her fluidity across genres as she allows us to feel heartbreak, jealousy, sadness and anger all at once.

Check out SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo out now!

kasual kook xx

My music Instagram is making a comeback! Find me @kasualpicks for all music things, @kasual_kook for all personal/blog things and at kasualkook@gmail.com if you want to work together! 🙂