Guts (studio album) by Olivia Rodrigo

From cestuneblague 02/11/2024 00:38

Yeah I think if expectations are tempered enough since the predictable overhype of the now pay-attention-to-us-please music press that seems desperate to crown the Pop-Rocks-and-Mr-Pibb successor to Taylor Swift, this is a solid listen (although the reaction has been surprisingly muted since the album actually dropped, though I still don't think that makes this her Melodrama or eMotion as some have suggested).

It does feel like a full album this time, since her previous felt like a bloated ep that- after a propulsive tablesetter- just kind of reminded you of better songs the further it went along. Here, Guts is at it's best when it embraces it's self-awareness and goes straight for spiky, fast-paced pop, despite the constant can-you-read-the irony-off-my-stuck-out-tongue getting a little predictable her cool-yet-feisty confidence as a performer works well with the elaborate washing machine treatment of 00s era meta-pop styles. However, when the album slows down her limits as a singer have nowhere to hide, and not helped by the increasingly trite piano-skimming compositions that play the bare backing music. Also the one time it really breaks out of it's shell and does something unexpected, it kind of faceplants (two bites at trying to figure ou what that song is). Again, maybe it's just the lack of a material, if it is indeed a secret kiss-off breakup album the target here seems pretty boring- it's best when it's a more rounded and wide-screen view about having to deal with getting older but still being too young to fully figure things out. In the end, make of that as you will that she convincingly wears mordancy better than sincerity at this point in her career.

Again I think that's probably why I feel I don't get a whole lot out of this music since it's a time of your life that's been long gone personally, but just as a I remarked last time of being old enough to be her father, the fact that this mixes so many of the styles that were popular during my own dumdum teenage days (sugary mall punk, new wave revival and flighty pop-piano heartbreak ballads), that used to be the go-to punching bags of the tastemakers of the day... are now being held up as genius. Huh. Strange times. Solid album.

I didn't realize how many Olivia Rodrigo songs I liked until I listened through this. I've always loved pop rock vocals, so I'm not sure why it's such a surprise!

Album Rating: 61.67
(740/12)

08.09.2023

Olivia Rodrigo (USA): Guts

1.All-American Bitch. 51
2.Bad Idea Right? 42
3.Vampire. 68
4.Lacy. 48
5.Ballad Of A Homeschooled Girl. 39
6.Making The Bed. 71
7.Logical. 70
8.Get Him Back! 68
9.Love Is Embarrassing. 70
10.The Grudge. 84
11.Pretty Isn't Pretty. 65
12.Teenage Dream. 64

“GUTS” sees a slight maturing from Rodrigo. The theme has switched from teenage heartbreak to the classic on and off toxic relationship of one’s 20’s. Rodrigo can vividly describe all the conflicting emotions from attraction to regret to embarrassment. “bad idea right?”' catchy tongue in cheek description of making decisions seem like accidents is hilarious. Vocally, Rodrigo feels more confident, singing fuller and with a more varied tone. Unfortunately, as with “SOUR”, the downtempo sad songs really drag the album down. They are well written and sung but their composition is so dull that it sucks the power out of these boons. Even with these limitations, “SOUR” maintains and builds tight concepts and can make a great track when needed. I can’t wait to see how she sings about commitment issues when she gets older.

From indieshins 10/01/2023 00:01

I think it's an improvement on Sour, though it does follow the same formula, basically. Just a bit more consistent, stronger songwriting and production. A more mature perspective, despite only one or two years having gone by since Sour was released. Looking forward to seeing where Olivia goes next!

I've put off listening to 'Guts' for a while, purely just because of how much an album like this inevitably gets overhyped by the media, and by friends raving on about how I should listen to it. Once the dust has settled, I like to try and form my own opinion... and it's pretty much as I expected - an above average pop album held together by Rodrigo's beautiful voice, for the most part strong songwriting and Dan Nigro's immaculate production. Admittedly I'm probably not the target market, but I can still appreciate a project like this :-)