This year, Olivia Rodrigo took the music industry by storm, receiving seven Grammy nominations, for her debut album ‘Sour’.
One of the albums biggest strengths is its versatility, including a mix of rock, pop and emotional power ballads. In fact, ‘Good 4 U’, the albums third single, is Rocks first hot 100 No.1 in years.
The 18-year-old singer, who found fame on Disney’s ‘High School Musical: The Musical’ has smashed records with the album. Records previously held by no other than one of Rodrigo’s biggest inspirations, Taylor Swift.
‘Sour’ launched eight songs into the charts top 10, whilst her emotional debut ballad ‘Driver’s license’ stayed at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for 8 weeks.
The album as a whole is refreshingly honest and raw, with a combination of Taylor Swift-Esque break up ballads and 90s pop-rock tunes.
With each single, Rodrigo tells a new chapter of her break-up, taking us through the relatable stages of grief, jealousy and anger.
This is likely one of the reasons why the starlet’s album has received so much praise, Rodrigo isn’t afraid to speak the truth about her failed romances.
Each song is like turning a page of the teen’s diary, making it feel almost wrong to know so much detail about her love life.
In fact, one of the albums main appeals is how relatable and real Rodrigo is, not to mention the celeb drama and speculation around the inspiration for the album.
Rodrigo has certainly stirred the pot in the music industry, as fans guessed the inspiration for the album to be ex-boyfriend Josh Bassett, who she co-starred with in ‘High School Musical: The musical’.
The debut single ‘Driver’s license’, which went viral on TikTok, makes references to how quickly Basset moved on with his new girlfriend Sabrina Carpenter.
In a surprisingly mature manner, Rodrigo makes no effort to be unkind towards Carpenter, actually complimenting her with the lyrics.
“You’re probably with that blonde girl, who always made me doubt, she’s so much older than me, she’s everything I’m insecure about.”
If you have experienced the pain and anxiety of an ex moving on suspiciously quickly after a breakup, you’ll agree that the lyrics of this song capture this perfectly.
The following single ‘deja vu’, is a psychedelic pop-tune, which takes listeners through the next stage of her break up. The song explores the jealousy of your partner doing the same things they once did with you with their new girlfriend.
More power ballads follow. ‘Traitor’ is a real tear-jerker. The truthfulness of the lyrics combined with Rodgrio’s captivating, emotional voice will have you listening to this album on repeat.
Lyrics like, “I know if you were true there’s no dam way that you could fall in love with somebody that quickly” and “I know that you’ll never feel sorry, for the way I hurt” are enough to make you hate the boy that hurt Olivia, probably more then she does.
Sour is an unapologetically confessional, emotional journey that perfectly captures the sadness of heartbreak.
If you’re going through a break-up, this album is for you.
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