Olivia Rodrigo’s sophomore studio album “GUTS” is here in its confident and shiny glory. With a mix of up-beat pop-rock infused tracks and vulnerable ballads, she dives into her coming-of-age thoughts and allows you into her inner monologue. Here are some of the must listen tracks on the record;

1. ballad of a homeschooled girl

With lyrics like “I’m on the outside of the greatest inside joke. And I hate all my clothes. Feels like my skin doesn’t fit right over my bones”, and “I talkеd to this hot guy, swore I was his type. Guess that he was making out with boys, like, the whole night. Everything I do is tragic. Every guy I like is gay”, “ballad of a homeschooled girl” was always destined to be a fan favourite on this record. Contrary to its title, this song is not a ballad. Instead it’s a punk infused pop-rock track that feels reminiscent of Wet Leg and Baby Queen. Describing her coming-of-age experience, it immediately takes you back to your first house parties as you remember the awkwardness of discovering who you are while everyone else is also feeling the exact same way.

2. bad idea right?

In a similar sonical and lyrical vein, “bad idea right?” Is the confident and brash centre-piece single on this record. This Wet Leg inspired track is filled with attitude and quick quips that will have you immediately obsessed. With lyrics like “Yes, I know that he’s my ex, but can’t two people reconnect? I only see him as a friend. The biggest lie I ever said”, and “And I told my friends I was asleep. But I never said where, in his sheets”,  and “I just tripped and fell into his bed”, she may have just written the most relatable song of all time. It’s for all the chaotic hopeless romantics, that like to make bad decisions, and I’m definitely one of them.

3. making the bed

Oliva’s life changed drastically the moment “Driver’s License” was released, and “making the bed” hears her reflecting on the weird balance of trying to grow up while being under a microscope for everything she says and does. The best lyric excerpt that explains that feeling is; “And every night, I wake up from this one recurrin’ dream where I’m drivin’ through the city and the brakes go out on me. I can’t stop at the red light, I can’t swerve off the road. I read somewhere it’s ’cause my life feels so out of control”. Penned to a melancholic production, this track will hit you right in the chest as you’ll feel all the genuine heaviness that lingers in this song. 

4. get him back!

Another upbeat pop-rock track that feels reminiscent of Baby Queen and Wet Leg, “get him back!” hears Olivia and Dan Nigro teaming up with Alexander 23 for production. Tapping into a similar vibe of “If We Were A Party” from his debut album, there is a cinematic singalong flair to the production which will come to life when she eventually plays it live on tour. It’s a playful song that hears Olivia getting gritty and getting a little sinister with the refrain; “I wanna get him back. I wanna make him really jealous, wanna make him feel bad”. 

5. logical

Now, here is THE ballad. “logical” is a co-write between Olivia, Dan and Julia Michaels, and it’s one of the rawest tracks on the album. Reflecting on the tumultuous reality of a toxic relationship, her songwriting shines as she paints this vivid image of being blindsided by his manipulating ways. “And now you got me thinkin’ two plus two equals five, and I’m the love of your life. Cause if rain don’t pour and sun don’t shine, then changing you is possible. No, love is never logical” she sings. This is truly a special moment on the record.