Adam KennyOlivia Rodrigo, the most in love girl in the world
At this point in her stardom, it is safe to say that Olivia Rodrigo has become a true household name. Olivia has been ruling the radio, online music discussions and 13-year-olds bedroom walls since her debut album SOUR back in 2021. Her hits such as “good 4 u” and “driver license” blew up on the likes of TikTok and Instagram like we had never seen before.
However, Olivia’s is much more than just the internet trends they’re apart of. At 18, Olivia showcased a raw talent and ear for music and has separated herself from her counter parts like Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan by sticking to her own distinct sound that she has slowly developed and conjured.
Her sophomore album GUTS showed a maturity and honing of her talents. Again, conjuring some incredible hits like “bad idea right?”, “lacy” and “so american”. A favourite of mine was“vampire” which to me really began to show us the sound she was creating. Thoughtful song writing that brings us raw, honest and albeit naive songs. At the end of the day, for the musical genius she is, she’s only 23. She’s got a lot of life to live, which she tells us all about on her new record, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love.
Conceptually…an accident?
The first thing that’s really interesting about Olivia’s new record is that it accidentally became a concept album. The first half of the album are these lovey dovey, over the top, somewhat hopeless displays of love and admiration for her partner. Whereas the second half are these cynical, heart wrenching ballads with the occasional shift in moods abruptly between jealousy and invulnerability that one goes through in a break up. Songs about love and ending of it aren’t new concepts for an artist to tackle, but there’s just something about Olivia goes about that just sticks. I think it’s the sincerity of it all.
Songs like “u + me = <3” which are so heavily inspired by The Cure and Robert Smith (whom actually features on the album), have this sickeningly sweet texture that you can’t get out of your head. She’s just gushing about this boy she likes and I can’t get enough of it. It’s endearing, and honest which is what I love about this album. It’s not with a retrospect of “this is how I felt about him”, she wrote this song RIGHT in the midst of her obsession with the boy. You can hear her kicking her feet as she writes the lyrics.
It’s feminine intuition
“drop dead” and “stupid song” are the same. “drop dead” goes through the initial sweetness of the crush. Butterflies in her stomach when someone brings him up. Comparing him to the walls of Versailles, these intricate and grand designs that only a master sculptor could do. Are their star signs compatible. She’s absolutely smitten for this fella and is ticking all the boxes to show this.
“stupid song” keys in her obsession while she’s away from him. Ironically, she talks about how a dumb old love song can’t capture how much she loves this boy. There’s some meta context to it all where the dumb love song just happens to be insanely fun, catchy and can easily be put on repeat. “maggots for brains”, “honeybee”. Love songs on top of love songs on top of LOVE songs.
“my way” pauses the admiration to voice some annoyance. The track is all about Olivia dealing with a bothersome ex of her partners whom just won’t go away. She goes through how obvious it is that he’s with her and how this ex is just in her way now. There’s no chasing at this point, to Olivia she’s won. Hook, line and sinker. A funny track if anything as Olivia went from being so sweet and loving to saying “you’re being fucking weird” out of nowhere.
Where things don’t go steady
At the halfpoint of the album, this is where the accidental concept comes into play. Olivia “soft launches” what’s to come with the song “purple”. On the surface it again falls in line with what we’ve heard, but the naivety is gone. The rose tinted sun glasses have fall down a bit here. She’s melting away the boy, they’re so in love with each other that it’s all turning to black, where they can’t go back.
“purple” gives us a glimpse into where things for them. Olivia’s beginning to take stock of her relationship. She’s gone from being a tourist in this town she visits to being a regular. Having a florist she adores, a shop she frequents, family photos she can point to as her favourite. Time has passed, things have gotten serious and with that comes challenges that maybe they’re not fully able to get through together. It’s a solemn track, and is definitely on the more somber and moody side of things. At first I considered it to be the weakest track on the album, but I find it serves its purpose really as serving as the “buckle up” track to what’s to come.
It’s Friday, she’s in love
you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love continues with The Cure references…with a track called “the cure” which in of itself is a much more personal and hurtful track. Musically, we start off with some simple but quick guitar strumming with some singing coming in whispers from Olivia. “the cure” being how to stop herself from thinking obsessively about her doubts and intrusive thoughts. What was once manageable and palpable to get through by simply relying on her partner’s love, has now become clear to her that this his love is just not enough. This is where all begins to unravel for Olivia, and in a big way.
Pleading, begging and singing
“begged” is a ballad where Olivia feels starved. Sonically, it’s one of my favourite tracks on the album where Olivia backs herself up with some layered vocals with minimal instrumentals in the background aside from some strings. Lyrically, it’s a hard listen. Olivia’s ability to communicate her most difficult and harrowing thoughts through her lyrics is something most artists would, ironically, be envious of. They’re not overly complicated, or flowery. There’s no attempt at making it sound better than it was. She simply felt like she was begging for the love that she wanted, that she needed. A sharp, harsh and unbearable contrast to the love she was spewing in the first half of the album.
“what’s wrong with me” featuring the one and only Robert Smith, continues the deciphering and poking around Olivia’s mind and heart. Musically, with no surprise, The Cure’s influence continues here more than ever. Olivia, a self-confessed and obsessed The Cure fan put her all into this track. Vocally and lyrically there’s nothing to take away from it. She sounds desperate for an answer on this song. Robert Smith is here to help, where his performance was nothing short of perfect. Adding exactly as much as he needed to. Something that many might already know from their Glastonbury performances, but the best part of the song is when the two sing together in harmony on the chorus. Olivia bringing this youthful plea of wanting to know more in her vocals compared to Robert’s more reserved and experienced demeanor works so well.
Ballads that keep you up at night
Olivia just doesn’t stop on this album. “less” is this absolutely horrifying and gentle ballad where Olivia explores what, in the end, it meant to be in love with someone. How it was a waste of time. Both ended up irate, heartbroken and with this feeling of hopelessness. Feeling the dread that is in her stomach and heart at the edge of their bed as they pretend nothing is wrong. Pray that’s it’s better tomorrow.
Similar in vein to my way, “expectations” comes in with these massive synths and drums where Olivia talks about something no one saw coming on this album…other boys. “expectations” is a tongue in cheek, fun and albeit slightly depressing song about the dating scene. Having to figure out her expectations for her suitors, what does she like and dislike? Compositionally and production, it’s a really fun track. A really interesting switch up of things considering we just came from “less”. As fun as it is on the surface, there’s something depressing about Olivia going from being love sick for someone at the start of the album to being at a “bar in Silverlake”.
Cigarettes and mirrors to reflect on it all
Our final track of you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love is “cigarette smoke”. Final track, final ballad, final chance in this album for Olivia to get everything off her chest. One of the longer tracks on the album at over 5 minutes long. Olivia sums things up with a rough bow. Reflecting on past, present, and where they’ll be tomorrow. Why did she even try at all, what was it worth? What was the truth of it all?
Overall
When this album came out, I never expected it would end up with me writing a track by track review of it. Olivia Rodrigo’s you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love is one of the best albums I’ve heard in a while. I’ve been listening to it non stop, everyday since it came out. How she writes about love, the highs and lows, the yearning and desperation is something that I can’t get over. Songs like “u + me = <3” and “what’s wrong with me” will be main stays with me for years to come, amongst some of the other tracks on this album.
Olivia is developing, and in someways already has, developed into one of the most exciting and interesting artists to come out in years and I’m all for where she’s going. An incredible album that I think everyone should give a go at least once. You’d be surprised at what you find sweet, and what really hurts to listen to.
