Olivia Rodrigo’s music grows in popularity as she releases debut album

Isabella Kneeshaw, Staff Writer

Olivia Rodrigo released her highly anticipated debut album, SOUR on Friday, May 21,  after the release of her three popular singles, “drivers license,” “deja vu” and “good 4 u. The album showcases 11 tracks, including the three singles, that take us through all the stages of heartbreak in a pop and occasionally 2000’s-inspired way. 

The first song on the album is called “brutal,” which, much like her other songs, includes lyrics that are all-too-relatable as she sings, “If someone tells me one more time, ‘enjoy your youth’ I’m gonna cry. And I don’t stick up for myself. I’m anxious and nothing can help.” Rodrigo then goes on to sing, “And I’m not cool and I’m not smart. And I can’t even parallel park.” The punk rock, angsty, fun-yet-brutally-honest song has resonated with many teens navigating the often unforgiving expectations of society, making it easy to agree with Rodrigo when she says, “God, it’s brutal out here.”

Moving on to the second and currently most-streamed track, behind “good 4 u,” and “deja vu,” we have Rodrigo’s song “traitor.” The lyrics take us through the intense feelings of betrayal when an ex moves on a little too quickly after a breakup. Without a doubt, Rodrigo has yet again successfully made thousands, probably millions, cry to this heartbreak ballad, singing, “It took you two weeks to go off and date her. Guess you didn’t cheat but you’re still a traitor.” 

Rodrigo also released the song “happier” to accompany her record’s ongoing theme of vulnerability and truthfulness. The song reveals the feeling of watching an ex find happiness with someone else, and wishing them well but acknowledging selfishness deep down. “So find someone great but don’t find no one better / I hope you’re happy, but don’t be happier,” is another lyric that you will find stuck in your head after just one listen. 

Rodrigo’s tracks from SOUR held every spot on Spotify’s top 10 songs USA chart the week of May 21-27, and her album is currently ranked number one globally on Spotify’s Charts. Not to mention “good 4 u” charted Billboard Hot 100 number one this week, making Rodrigo the first artist to have their first three singles debut in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

I’ve listened to this album on repeat for the past week, and I can attest that, whether you’ve never been in a relationship before or you are going through your third breakup this year, SOUR is definitely worth the listen. You’ll likely find yourself singing, crying, screaming or simply staring in awe of the fact that Ms. Rodrigo somehow knows exactly how you’re feeling and has taken all your insecurities, fears and emotions and turned them into hit songs.