Track by Track Review: GUTS by Olivia Rodrigo
The GLR creative services team shares their thoughts on Olivia Rodrigo’s acclaimed sophomore album GUTS, released on September 8th, 2023!
TRACK 1: all american bitch
Written by Sarah Zhang
"I am light as a feather, I'm as stiff as a board" perfectly encapsulates the juxtaposition and conflict within Olivia Rodrigo's first track on her critically acclaimed sophomore album GUTS. This rollercoaster of a song begins with flowy, melancholic verses that showcase Rodrigo's signature raw, emotive lyricism. But as the chorus approaches, the mood takes a dynamic shift. With a sudden burst of energy, Rodrigo transforms "All American Bitch" into a fiery anthem of empowerment and self-assertion. This transition truly illustrates Rodrigo's musical maturation from her debut album. The blend of vulnerability and strength mirrors the complexities of growing up and finding one's own identity as an American woman. Consistent guitar riffs and a pulsating rhythm with Olivia’s own screams in the background elevate the song's intensity. The mood shifts again, as the song transitions to a delicate bridge and Rodrigo repeats positive affirmations about herself over and over again. The organized chaos that is “all american bitch” is a symbol of the message Rodrigo is trying to send: the rage and dissatisfaction women have in a society that represses their feelings and holds expectations over their head.
TRACK 2: bad idea right?
Written by Daniel Rateau
The second single from her highly anticipated sophomore album GUTS, “bad idea, right?” puts Olivia Rodrigo in the perspective of an individual consistently contemplating returning to an old flame, which can be easily attributed to Generation Z. Styled in the format of a voicemail throughout the entirety of the song with distorted vocals, spoken verses, an echoey pre-chorus, and an impactful chorus that contributes to Rodrigo’s signature “girl rock” sound, Dan Nigro’s unique production efforts truly stick out. Referencing the generality of individuals being friends with their exes, which ultimately can turn into friends with benefits, Rodrigo emphasizes and personifies a feeling of comfortability when returning with someone familiar despite knowing it would in fact be a “bad idea.”
TRACK 3: vampire
Written by Joaquin Crosby-Lizarde
Vampire is a well-executed, creative approach to discussing a damaging relationship through an original metaphor. In my eyes, this is no heartbreak song. Olivia Rodrigo expresses anger and disgust more than anything, regretting not listening to people’s warnings and letting herself be so naive. The line that stuck out most in the song was, “Cause girls your age know better.”. In all honesty, this creeped me out a bit. Not only does this make her ex sound predatory, but it labels him as immature. This was the sinking blow for her subject. Fans speculate this song is either about Zack Bia or Adam Faze. Both fit the description, but Rodrigo has never openly stated who she addressed in this song. Overall, Vampire is an amazing song that angrily and effectively calls out a toxic ex who was ultimately taking advantage of her naivety. This “bloodsucking famefucking” vampire of an ex will know not to mess with Rodrigo after this song.
TRACK 4: lacy
Written by Noam Dor
The fourth track on Olivia Rodrigo's GUTS album is truly "the sweetest thing on this side of Hell." Following three hard-hitting rock tracks, "Lacy" provides a soothing harmonic break for the listener with its euphonious melodic progressions and gentle vocals. The ballad uses personification and vivid imagery to convey the feeling of comparing oneself to others, sounding more like a song one would find on a Phoebe Bridgers album. The song begins by describing Lacy as an angel with "eyes as white as daisies." However, the deep anger and resentment towards Lacy appears to grow as it progresses, ending with "I just loathe you lately…I despise my rotten mind and how hard it worships you." Fans have speculated that the song is a reference to Taylor Swift, whose music has been known to be imitated by Rodrigo. She used to have a strong obsession and high respect for Swift, but with recent legal battles for copyright infringement, it seems Rodrigo's love for Swift—or Lacy, perhaps—has been forever tainted.
TRACK 5: ballad of a homeschool girl
Written by Kelsey Carson
Olivia Rodrigo’s “ballad of a homeschooled girl” is truly an overthinker's memoir. Alluding to Rodrigo’s time as a homeschooler, the fifth track on GUTS perfectly encapsulates the teenage coming of age experience. In a grungy, pop-rock track, Olivia Rodrigo gets it all out in a truly cathartic, yet self-loathing manner: “I stumbled over all my words / I made it weird, I made it worse / Each time I step outside, it's social suicide / It's social suicide, wanna curl up and die”. Although the melody is simple, the repetition of lyrics like “It’s social suicide” is incredibly infectious, relatable, and captures exactly what it feels like to be socially awkward.
TRACK 6: making the bed
Written by Rachel Minden
Olivia Rodrigo’s “making the bed” sticks out from her new album GUTS as a confessional peek into her life after growing a large following over the past 3 years. Compared to some of Rodrigo’s more angsty tracks on “GUTS”, “making the bed” is powerful in its vulnerable and introspective lyrics. The title “making the bed” refers to the act of a person making their bed alone, after spending time around plenty of people. This song’s lyrics suggest that Rodrigo seems somewhat unsatisfied with her life, which may be a surprise to fans who idolize her. The song is somewhat comforting in the fact that even someone as celebrated as Rodrigo can have moments where they long for a different life. It also gives space to conversations about whether celebrities should be held in a superior view, or whether efforts should be made to humanize those who are consistently in the public eye, such as Rodrigo.
TRACK 7: logical
Written by Lana Clifford
The heartbreak ballad “logical” has left thousands of Olivia Rodrigo’s fans emotional and wondering who in her life has left her so broken. As it turns out, she used her close friend and Disney co-star Madison Hu’s “tea” as her muse for the overarching theme love isn’t logical. I was really drawn to the simplicity of the music behind Rodrigo’s singing. From the track, you can only pinpoint the assistance of a piano along with a few accompanying instruments. I am really impressed that she is able to take a personal experience from someone else’s life pouring her heart out as if it were her own hurt and delusion of love. Rodrigo has a special gift of pulling her listeners in with her first few lyrics. One of my favorites which has such a strong illustrative presence is “I fell for you like water falls from the February sky” she then takes you through the story continuing to build different themes. “But now the currents stronger… No, I couldn't get out of it if I tried” It is so easy for her to influence her listeners, but she makes a point not to try to impact listeners' experiences and their initial responses to how the tracks make them feel, which I find refreshing.
TRACK 8: get him back!
Written by Archana Kalahasti
The eighth track off of Olivia Rodrigo’s sophomore album GUTS, though it focuses on the rash choices one makes in the aftermath of a tumultuous relationship, shows off a more playful side of the singer and the album. “get him back!” utilizes a play on meanings - “get him back” in terms of returning to a previous relationship, and “get him back” as in revenge. The lyrics are more casual, similar to the second track, bad idea, right?, using more playful language and comparisons to drive home the point of trying to “get him back”. The track is a good break from the slower ballads that precede it in the album, drawing listeners back in. The more upbeat tempo and fun lyrics make this the perfect song to blast in the car and lose yourself in for a few minutes.
TRACK 9: love is embarrassing
Written by Olivia May
Olivia Rodrigo’s “love is embarrassing” is an angst-fueled testament to the regret and frustration that often goes hand in hand with misguided teenage relationships. Against the backdrop of steadily pounding drums, Rodrigo’s lyrics are dripping with mortification: “Just watch as I crucify myself / For some weird second string / Loser who’s not worth mentioning / My God, love’s embarrassing as hell.” Personally, Rodrigo’s songwriting doesn’t stand out as a phenomenal work, especially when it comes to deviating from the trendy, formulaic pop song styles. Although the creativity of the track’s production falls flat at times, there’s no doubt that “love is embarrassing” is bound to be a reliable anthem for heartbroken, angry teens for years to come.
TRACK 10: the grudge
Written by Jack Aghion and Aiden Blume
“the grudge” by Olivia Rodrigo lends us a look into the tattered psyche of a brokenhearted youth stabbed in the back by a bitter-hearted lover. And though her message of repressed anger remains steadfast, as we come to the 10th track on this album, her message grows weary on the listener. The swells in instrumentation and lugubrious delivery of her voice haven’t changed significantly since her debut album SOUR. While she remains a first choice for the auxiliary when picking up my 13-year-old sister from gymnastics or background music for a kickback with a few friends, “the grudge” by Olivia Rodrigo is not a track I find myself revisiting any time soon.
TRACK 11: pretty isn’t pretty
Written by Letian Dong
Olivia Rodrigo's "pretty isn’t pretty" gives us a view of a teenage girl's self-anxiety with a moderato beat. The song's melody carries a relaxing feel from 90's Britpop and fits right into your on-the-road music playlist. The song goes in line with the theme of the album, and her style of music hasn't changed much. We can hear Olivia Rodrigo trying to tell a story about young people’s anxiety stemming from their looks, and people being bothered and pressured by these standards for beauty. The most important thing is that beauty is not under any standard— we should be accepted by our personalities rather than catering to the expectations of society.
TRACK 12: teenage dream
Written by Lucas Clavijo
Olivia Rodrigo is scared of growing old on “teenage dream.” Unlike the grungy production that paints most of the album, “teenage dream” is a stripped-down reflection of her late teenage years. The track’s simplicity works in its favor, and the piano intro provides a canvas for her to convey raw emotions. Rodrigo wants listeners to know that she’s changed since SOUR—she’s no longer writing about teenage heartbreaks, but rather what it’s like to be 20 and living up to expectations. She wants to be taken seriously as an adult but worries this new chapter will not be relatable to listeners. The track ends on a question mark. Listeners are left wondering what the next album will sound like and how she will express her newfound adulthood.
EDITED BY PRAAGNA KASHYAP