SOUR vs. GUTS: Comparing Olivia Rodrigo's Two Studio Albums

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 25: Olivia Rodrigo attends the Los Angeles Premiere Of Netflix’s “Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour”at NYA EAST on October 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Olivia Rodrigo's rise to fame took her straight from Disney Channel stardom to mainstream success. With 14 GRAMMY nominations and three wins at just 22 years old, Rodrigo is among the most influential women in music today. Her two studio albums tell an intriguing story of her growth from a wide-eyed teen to a young adult navigating fame.

Olivia Rodrigo's Rise to Fame

Rodrigo catapulted to fame with the January 2021 release of her debut single, "drivers license." The teen power ballad was the 2021 Song of the Year at the Apple Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards. Rodrigo received a GRAMMY for Best Pop Solo Performance in 2022 for the song.

Rodrigo's debut album, SOUR, dropped in May 2021 and was an instant success. It topped the Billboard 200 chart and broke the global record on streaming platforms for the biggest opening week for an album by a female artist. With SOUR, Rodrigo won the 2021 Album of the Year at the People's Choice Awards and the 2022 GRAMMY for Best Pop Vocal Album.

Rodrigo's sophomore album, GUTS, was released in September 2023. The debut of GUTS outperformed that of SOUR, with 302,000 units sold in the first week compared to 295,000 for SOUR. GUTS debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, and all 12 tracks charted in the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.

Album Themes and Artistic Growth

SOUR focuses on teen drama, including heartache, jealousy, and anger. Rodrigo named the album for the "sour" emotions associated with adolescence. The album's success is attributable largely to its strong connection with Generation Z listeners.

Reflecting on the themes in GUTS, Rodrigo said, "I feel like I grew 10 years between the ages of 18 and 20. ... and hopefully the album reflects that." Rodrigo's second album touches on fame, growth, identity struggles, and newfound confidence.

Music Evolution: From SOUR to GUTS

Written when Rodrigo was 17 years old, SOUR has a distinctly teenage vibe. Heartbreak runs rampant through the album, and Rodrigo doesn't shy away from teen angst.

GUTS features guitar riffs reminiscent of 1980s new wave music and pop lyrics that would fit with teen movies from the 2000s. The "Vampire" music video feels straight out of Twilight. Rodrigo wrote most of GUTS when she was 19 and grappling with newfound fame.

SOUR and GUTS Track Analysis

SOUR reads like heartbroken journal entries for much of the album, with its teenage nature underscored by the text lingo used in the track titles:

"brutal": This up-tempo, angsty track explores the trials of being a teenager who "can't even parallel park."
"traitor": This lilting pop ballad deals with the bargaining stage of grief in a breakup.
"drivers license": The hit pop ballad that topped the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks takes a deep dive into the pain after a breakup.
"1 step forward, 3 steps back": Written from the content of a text message, this regret-filled song explores the nature of toxic relationships with a vocal-forward tune backed by a simple piano melody.
"deja vu": Powerful drum beats back Rodrigo's heartbroken lyrics, reflecting on the experience of watching an ex find happiness with another. The song peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"good 4 u": This infectious pop-punk track explores the pain of watching an ex thrive after a breakup. The song hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"enough for you": This acoustic bedroom-pop track deals with the experience of changing yourself for a crush.
"happier": In this piano-led look at the selfish feelings that follow a breakup, Rodrigo penned the song to dispel the idea that having deep emotions makes someone "moany."
"jealousy, jealousy": With fuzzy vocals and powerful guitar riffs, this song takes a bold look at the ugly side of social media.
"favorite crime": This folk-pop tune with layered harmonies explores red flags in a relationship only seen in hindsight.
"hope ur ok": This closing track is a powerful ballad that offers reassurance to outcasts.

GUTS leans into indie rock and pop punk as Rodrigo highlights her growth as an individual and an artist:

"all-american bitch": This versatile track jumps between soft indie verses and a punk-rock chorus as it explores the contradictory expectations of young women.
"bad idea right?": This pop-rock piece tells the timeless tale of a girl tempted to see her ex even though it's a bad idea.
"vampire": This haunting song topped the Billboard Hot 100 and explores anger and regret after a bad relationship.
"lacy": In this track that's often compared to "jealousy, jealousy," Rodrigo sings about envy and self-hatred.
"ballad of a homeschooled girl": Reading like a remake of "brutal," this track dives into the awkwardness of growing up.
"making the bed": This pop ballad explores Rodrigo's complicated feelings about being famous.
"logical": This intimate piece pairs Rodrigo's vocals with an elegant piano line as she laments love gone wrong.
"get him back!": This rock anthem dives into conflicted feelings over an ex you may or may not want back.
"love is embarrassing": The title says it all in this punchy pop song about the embarrassment of a love gone wrong.
"the grudge": This piano-driven tune explores the depth of commitment needed to find forgiveness after being betrayed.
"pretty isn't pretty": In this upbeat track, Rodrigo explores self-image, vulnerability, and beauty standards.
"teenage dream": This closing track is a heartfelt ballad about grappling with teenage stardom.

Olivia Rodrigo's Artistic Journey

In SOUR and GUTS, Rodrigo explores the trials and tribulations of adolescence and her growth from a teenager to a young adult. Only time will tell where her artistic journey will take her next.

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Mandi RainwaterWriter