OLIVIA RODRIGO - 2021 - 2023 (2 ALBUMS)

 "SOUR"

2021

 

BRUTAL - Olivia Rodrigo's debut album opens with a scorching 90s Brit Pop Punk track, reminding me of Elastica and Sleeper in its female angst ridden vocals. It also has me thinking of Wendy James and Transvision Vamp in its brash style.  The former Disney star shows she has left that way behind with great Indie Pop Rock album with a few expletives thrown in for good Punk measure!

TRAITOR - A slowed down tempo for this track, a beautiful, soft and melancholy Indie Rock track similar to Avril Lavigne in style with maybe a little nod to Kate Bush or Tori Amos in the atmospheric vocals? Love this track.  Reached number 5 in the UK chart.

DRIVER'S LICENSE - Perrfect Pop break-up ballad, Taylor Swift, Sophie B.Hawkins and Michelle Branch spring to mind on listening to this.  Beautiful heartfelt vocals over a sparse, orchestrated style moody backing.  Really nice and accomplished composition from 18 yr old Olivia and her debut single.  This first outing also gave her a first number 1 in the UK.

1 STEP FORWARD, 3 STEPS BACK -  Another gorgeous soft ballad which does remind me clearly of one of my favourite artists, Tori Amos, in its breathy, pure sounding vocal style.  I do hope Olivia keeps this cool, Indie style for future releases and doesn't get on the Pop princess bandwagon.  This girl is going places.

DEJA VU - This track is a cool mix of styles, its a little R n' B, Soul, Industrial Rock, Pop and probably more I have missed.  Reaching number 4 in the UK chart it is a very creative, clever and interesting composition.  Another extraordinary song from this lady.

GOOD 4 U - I caught this track on a new music channel on the Roku streaming stick! I had to check this girl out and found this album to review.  Absolutely love this track, its bouncy, rocky and has a great Punk attitude like the previously mentioned Avril Lavigne and Amy Studt. 

 

ENOUGH FOR YOU - Olivia's sweet and pure vocals take centre stage once again in another Tori Amos styled track.  This is a really lovely song.

HAPPIER - Similar in vein to the previous track, another emotional and passionate vocal at the forefront of a sparse, moody backing track.  

JEALOUSY, JEALOUSY - A change in style, this is a pretty funky Indie Pop track, this actually reminds me of Wendy and Lisa of The Revolution.  Its got just enough quirkiness and angst to push it to greater heights.  I really love this track.

FAVORITE CRIME - This is an atmospheric almost Soul/R n 'B track, similar to Christina Aguilera or Beyonce.  Probably the most poppy song on an album full of Indie delights.

HOPE UR OK - The final track is a little soft vocal Indie Rock akin to Tori Amos or PJ Harvey.  A nice end to a really mature sounding debut.

 

"GUTS"

2023

ALL-AMERICAN BITCH - Brilliant opener to this second album by Olivia.  A little 60s sweet hippie vocals keeps turning into an angry Avril Lavigne/Blink 182 Punk Pop track.  Love this.

BAD IDEA RIGHT? - The second single from this set reached number 3 in the UK chart.  A great mix of Grunge, Punk Pop and a little B-52s! Another instant favourite.

VAMPIRE - The lead single from this album reached number 1 in the UK chart.  Fine Pop Rock tune driven by a piano picking up pace midway through the song giving it a late70s/early 80s vibe.  Superb vocals from Olivia.

 

 

LACY - This song has a breathy, sultry voval reminiscent of Tori Amos.  A really nice, melancholic song.

BALLAD OF A HOMESCHOOLED GIRL - This is a fun, quirky track that is a little like Aril Lavigne once again but with a kick of Punk and 90s Grunge and BritPop.  Olivia has so many musical faces, a great attribute.

MAKING THE BED - Atmospheric Alternative Pop Rock ballad in the vein of Sarah McLachlan.  Lovely song.

 

LOGICAL - This track reminds me of Simon and Garfunkel with beautiful vocals in a 60s Folk kind of style.

 

GET HIM BACK! - This is a 90s style BritPop track akin to the great female fronted bands of that time, Elastica, Sleeper, Kenickie etc.  Another gem that reached number 7 in the UK chart as the album's 3rd single.

LOVE IS EMBARRASSING - Tuneful and melodic Pop Rock in a similar take to Snow Patrol and maybe Keane with the big crecendo chorus.

THE GRUDGE - A really lovely softly spoken and sung ballad that I would again link Tori Amos to as an influence.  Great song.

PRETTY ISN'T PRETTY - This Indie Pop track reminds me a little of The Cure with the music, maybe its a little Goth sounding too.

 

TEENAGE DREAM - A slow ending to the album with this lush piano ballad with a big anthemic finish.  On the whole an awesome second album following the massive debut "Sour"