Olivia Rodrigo’s “GUTS” is an emotionally scattered, nail-biting, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed follow up to her fame-launching debut album “SOUR,” after a two-year music disappearance. Fans described the sophomore album as “SOUR’s” messier and darker older sister.”
“SOUR” launched Rodrigo into mainstream radio, but “GUTS” solidified her as a creative powerhouse and staple in the music industry. “GUTS (spilled),” however sent “GUTS” into perfection, completion and virality.
“GUTS (spilled)” added five more songs to the previous 13. The deluxe-tracks include “girl i’ve always been,” “scared of my guitar,” “stranger,” “so american,” and the highly anticipated “Obsessed.” Each of the songs were previously included on different vinyl variants.
“Obsessed” is a manic-at-heart warning that is true to the image that pops in your mind when you think of the name “Olivia Rodrigo.” She sings about knowing everything about her current boyfriend’s ex out of jealousy, and solidifies her deranged wide-eyed stare in lines like “I’m starin’ at her like I wanna get hurt, and I remember every detail you have ever told me so be careful, baby.” The song’s icing on the cake is the antagonizing pre-chorus and punk roots.
A complete 180 from her it’s-not-a-phase-esque sound “Obsessed,” “girl i’ve always been” is a glittery and butter-smooth campfire song, with a southern twang that steers the track into it’s dancing alone in the kitchen feeling. Despite it being an outlier sound-wise, “girl i’ve always been” was integral for the deluxe edition and it makes the album far better as a whole.
Who is Olivia Rodrigo without her staple gut-wrenching and tear-inducing tracks? “Scared of my guitar” is the emotional low-point from the deluxe additions and details her avoidance of over-thinking. The song is also one of Rodrigo’s many strong vocal performances and encases her song writing capabilities in marble stone.
“Stranger” is one of Rodrigo’s weakest points during the album. It’s built up on songwriting that’s been done a million times and a sound nearly everyone’s heard before, although innovation and originality are hard in today’s creative atmosphere. Regardless, the song is another campfire classic with roots of love and vulnerability.
Closing out the deluxe songs and the album as a whole, “so american” is a perfect reflection of everything alternative music’s it girls have to offer. With clear influences from Ethel Cain’s “American Teenager” and Lana Del Rey’s “This Is What Makes Us Girls,” Rodrigo’s “so american” adds her angsty teenage twist that we are so used to (and love). The ending track is unashamed to be a love song and just happy to be alive and in love.
Rodrigo undeniably knows how to write a great song and proves her capabilities with “GUTS (spilled).” I feel like although the tracks add a strong sense of Rodrigo’s teenage brutality, the track order should’ve been reconstructed to incorporate the songs more seamlessly. I’m obsessed with “so american” capping off the album, especially with the raw dialogue at the very end that gives a sense of closure for the growth the artist exhibits throughout the album.
