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God, it’s brutal out here.
- Jhanya&Ria's Corner
- May 22, 2021
- 16 min read
"Now I don't want your sympathy; I just want myself back before"
SOUR
Olivia Rodrigo
21 May 2021
11 Songs
Available on all leading music platforms
Heartache walks up to your door. Next comes Jealousy, and Anger. And finally, Nostalgia. They knock, you open the door, and they all say “Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”
SOUR is the debut studio album of Olivia Rodrigo which was released yesterday, the 21st of May 2021. She explores her perils and discoveries as a seventeen-year-old and refers to the uncomfortable and sour emotions teenagers often experience but are shamed for – jealousy, anger, nostalgia, and heartache. SOUR is primarily an alt-pop record that inserts alternative rock and pop-punk songs aside from pop ballads.
Ria: Olivia Rodrigo, what a queen. I mean, just the fact that she’s my age. MY AGE. This album shows her musical versatility and talent in songwriting which has certain similarities to Taylor Swift’s lyricism.
Track Reviews
01 brutal
"God, it’s brutal out here"
Ria: It's that punk rock track of the album that I usually dislike but brutal has kinda grown on me. The track starts with a slow, gentle synth, and then the line "I want it to be, like, messy" catapult the song into heavy drums, heavy guitar to produce the alt-rock vibe Olivia is going for. The first line also encapsulates how messy and chaotic the whole album would be and how the emotions conveyed would be the ones that are deemed "messy and bad" in society.
brutal is a great first song to an album that aims to deviate from the usual barbie-pop-ballad types. The lyrics of the song convey the misleading promise of how one's youth may be the best years of one's life. Olivia sings about the betrayal, disappointments, and challenges of the supposed "golden years" and brutal the real world really is.
"They say these are the golden years
But I wish I could disappear"
Jhanya: What a way to open a mainly ballad album. brutal gives off very strong “take me back to the 90s alt-rock vibes” (no, this is not a punk rock song). The teen angst is also real in this track. From the lines "And I'm so sick of seventeen; Where's my fuckin' teenage dream?" to "All I did was try my best; This the kind of thanks I get?", you can just feel the emo and insecurities felt by most teenagers.
Olivia also in a way tries to express how she's tired of the stereotype that society has made for teenagers in the 21st century by putting most of those stereotypes into the song's lyrics. These stereotypes are often made into expectations by pre-teens (like thinking how being a teen is the “golden age” of life) and of course, are shattered once they become actual teens LOL. As a growing adolescent and a new member of the brutal music industry, Olivia is simply stating facts when she sings the line “God, it's brutal out here”.
02 traitor
"I kept quiet so I could keep you"
Ria: Is there anyone who had an ex who started going out with someone else a few days after your break-up? traitor reflects on how her past relationship had gone awry and her lover immediately dating that woman who was "just a friend" during their own relationship. But, from the start, Olivia already knew that there really was something going on between them but stayed quiet to continue being with the person she loved. Okay, lesson time. Kids, don't compromise yourself in this kind of relationship because you'll be the one who gets damaged in the end. Put yourself first. #selflove
For me, traitor is the first in the trilogy of songs about the broken relationship singing about betrayal in this album. The emotional depth of betrayal that Olivia sang really stung. You can hear the authenticity of the wound that she has from that relationship.
"Guess you didn't cheat, but you're still a traitor"
Jhanya: traitor’s placement right after brutal and before drivers license makes it more emotional and impactful that makes the listener go through a rollercoaster of emotions right at the start of the album. It shares a similar meaning/idea of Olivia’s heartbreak from a past relationship, with drivers license and enough for you. But what makes this song a bit different is its instrumentation which is mainly piano-driven and mellow. This production along with Olivia's voice made it all the more powerful and pulled at heartstrings.
03 driver' license
"Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street
Red lights, stop signs
I still see your face in the white cars, front yards
Can't drive past the places we used to go to
'Cause I still f**kin' love you, babe
Sidewalks we crossed
I still hear your voice in the traffic, we're laughing
Over all the noise
God, I'm so blue, know we're through
But I still f**kin' love you, babe"
Ria: I will never stop loving drivers license. No matter how mainstream it becomes, how overplayed it will be, this song just sings to me so well. drivers license is the debut single of Olivia Rodrigo and it catapulted her into the music industry immediately. The song tells the story of how Olivia still longs for her ex when she's finally got her driver's license – something they had planned and been excited about for so long. She sings how she can't believe how the guy has moved on so quickly when she can't even fathom forgetting about him.
Olivia's lyrics are so raw and so heartfelt, that even if you haven't experienced heartache, it would feel like you have. I've cried listening to this song. The song balances unfiltered outpouring and graceful specificity. The vivid image that Olivia has created with the lyrics really pierces you. This is the second song to the trilogy of songs about the broken relationship. It tells about the heartache and nostalgia she's experiencing.
My favorite is the bridge (as seen in the lyrics I've placed above). From its lyrics to its melody to its instrumentation and its meaning, they all harmonize with each other and fit like a puzzle piece. And, honestly, the Taylor Swift vibes are real!!
"'Cause you said forever, now I drive alone past your street"
Jhanya: This song is oddly perfect... In all aspects. From the quality, the timing, the marketing, the meaning, it all just went perfectly for Olivia Rodrigo and drivers license as a whole. It’s as if all the stars aligned when this song was released and decided to shoot Olivia Rodrigo to stardom outside the Disney bubble. And I’m not exaggerating, it actually did!
The song was released during a time where everyone is at home, bored, tired, and desperate for something new, something different. And drivers license is different compared to the recent songs released by teenagers as of late (very pop). Sure, Olivia also already had her fans from HSMTMTS and TikTok to back her up when the song was released. But the song itself reaches out to not just her usual audience, heartbreak has been experienced by the majority of the world population, so hearing the very emotional yet memorable lyrics and melody of drivers license caught the people’s attention. And of course, don’t even get me started with the drama behind this song, I’m tired of it. As tea-crazed fans and Twitter users found out about this, they just drank it all in one gulp and shared the tea with everyone. With all these factors, it’s no wonder drivers license got its key to success.
I just wanna add that the song is also engaging, sympathetic, and approachable for the listeners, making it easier for the majority of people to listen to. I’m not usually a person who listens to ballad so yeah, this is a pretty solid song in my book xD
TL;DR
drivers license is a record-breaking, heart-shattering, hit song by a Disney artist that reached outside of her usual audience and was released at just the right moment.
04 1 step forward, 3 steps back
"It's one step forward and three steps back
I'm the love of your life until I make you mad
It's always one step forward and three steps back
Do you love me, want me, hate me?"
Ria: IT IS MY TWO QUEENS TAYLOR AND OLIVIA IN ONE SONG!! I JUST. DIED.
1 step forward, 3 steps back is a huge nudge to Taylor Swift's "New Year's Day". From the start, you hear the piano intro from New Year's Day in this song.
This soft ballad tells how Olivia is navigating through an inconsistent relationship as every time she steps forward towards her lover, she's pushed back three steps from what she wants. I feel the song's gentleness and poetry indicate how she's already given up on her relationship and is not filled with regret.
"It's back and forth, maybe, this is all your fault"
Jhanya: When I saw Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff before the release I lost my mind LMAO
The song is Olivia’s version of TSwift’s New Year’s Day, as it samples the song itself. Its tune and chord progression isn’t new, but it gives off a nostalgic and familiar feel that makes it very satisfying to listen to. From the expression “1 step forward, 2 steps back”, the song’s title can be interpreted as a more extreme level of frustration. This ultimately suits the lyrics of the song which talks about facing the challenges of having an inconsistent partner. Near the end of the song during the bridge, the singer goes into an argument with her partner and slowly realizes that maybe she wasn’t the problem, but her partner. This part is just so Taylor Swift, and I love it.
I have to add though, this song is very underrated, based on the reactions I’ve seen online after its release so far.
05 deja vu
"Strawberry ice cream in Malibu
Don't act like we didn't do that shit, too
You're tradin' jackets like we used to do
Yeah, everything is all reused"
Ria: deja vu is the second single Olivia Rodrigo released prior to her album's release. It musically deviates from her first single drivers license and shows how versatile Olivia really is.
deja vu sings how Olivia is now at a new stage of her moving on from heartbreak. I believe it to be a little bit of anger, a little bit of jealousy, and a little bit of pity for her lover's new girl. The song's drop of synth, guitar, and drums really sets the song's tone into edgy, angsty, and kinda mad. It's a great break from the ballad songs that were consecutively played.
"So when you gonna tell her that we did that, too?
She thinks it's special, but it’s all reused"
Jhanya: Ah yes, deja vu, the single that was released after the smash hit drivers license. In all honesty, though, it held up well. The fact that it was different and didn’t follow the “sad girl ballad” of its predecessor made it likable and showed a new side of Olivia as an artist. The song shows signs of Olivia moving on as she just feels bad for the new girl that her ex is dating as it’s like a repeat of when they were together. Which is also petty in a way. From a different perspective, it also tells how the guy may not have moved on from her as he continues to seek the same things they did with his new girl lol. Personally, I don’t have much to say about this song. It’s not that it’s not my usual cup of tea, but I just really have no comments on it. You know what I mean?
06 good 4 u
"And good for you, it's like you never even met me
Remember when you swore to God I was the only
Person who ever got you? Well, screw that, and screw you
You will never have to hurt the way you know that I do"
Ria: This is favorite song number 2 and the third single dropped before the album release. I first listened to this song on SNL with Olivia performing it live and I just gotta say that this song is really hard to sing but she did it so great.
The off beats, prominent bass, and satirical lyrics give off the sarcastic vibe Olivia is trying to convey. It's an angsty, pop-rock sound (similar to Paramore) that complements well with the authentic sarcasm practically dripping from Olivia's voice. The way Olivia also sings, especially the verses, is nearly like talking, only adding the melodic tune near the end of each line. She sharply addresses how her ex has quickly moved on despite all the things he said to her previously. The song is a favorite because it is different. It's not a mainstream pop-rock but has its own unique twist with the sarcastic tone and screaming chorus.
"Well, good for you, you look happy and healthy
Not me, if you ever cared to ask"
Jhanya: This is the punk rock song, NOT brutal (sorry, I’m so tired of seeing people tweet about how Olivia started her album with a punk song). As a bass player, the moment I heard those first bars I just knew I was gonna have fun listening to good 4 u. Before I fangirl over the production of this song, releasing this as her 3rd single showed Olivia’s versatility as a singer and musician, which is pretty rare for new and upcoming artists nowadays. This was my favorite out of the 3 singles mainly because of how different it is from the other two. It feels like a burst of energy and cheer (haha see what I did there?) after the two very heartwrenching and mellow songs that are drivers license and deja vu. And the fact that the main emotion that it conveys is anger, makes you just want to let go of all that sadness you felt for the past songs in the album too. As for the lyrics and the way she sings it, the song is really sarcastic (her acting in the MV also shows this very well). At first, I wasn’t a fan of the lyrics compared to its predecessors but the more I listened to it, the more I realized how wrong I was. The way she built up the anger using different lyrics throughout the song was genius.
And now for production and instrumentation, I-I just absolutely love it. I just do. I knew I would like the song when I heard that verse, but giiiiiirl when that chorus played I was suddenly a 12-year-old again, listening to FOB, P!ATD, 21 Pilots, and ATL. I’ve always been a Punk lover at heart, so seeing her release this and not just try punk for the fun of it, but actually put out a headbanger had me silently celebrating in the midst of doing our research paper when it came out. Like, can this song be more Paramore with that chorus and Olivia’s voice? UGH, I MISSED THIS GENRE. And those Greenday-like guitar riffs had me screaming in my mind. The bass lines, of course, are just great especially with the band together.
Hearing her perform it live on SNL made the song sound better to be honest because live performances are usually how songs should actually sound. Overall this song is a jam, and I’m pretty torn between good 4 u and 1 step forward, 3 steps back on which to pick as my favorite.
07 enough for you
"Now I don't want your sympathy
I just want myself back before"
Ria: The last song in the trilogy of songs about the broken relationship. Olivia is now singing about insecurity and how she felt so incomparably small to her ex's new lover.
This song has a great story within it. She starts singing about what she's done to feel worthy of the guy she was dating. She memorized his coffee order, knew all his favorite songs, and even read books so she'd feel she was as equal with the guy. But even with all that she's done, the guy still left with someone she thinks is a lot better than her. As the song progresses, she starts to realize how the guy has changed her, and for the worst, and now she wants her old self back. In the end, she sees how she will be someone's everything without having to compromise herself and that in the end, it will be her ex who'll regret everything.
The meaning of the song is really relevant. Lesson two time. Kids, don't compromise your self-worth for someone who doesn't see how hard you try in the relationship. Don't try to change yourself for someone, instead find someone who'll pretty much worship the ground you walk on as who you are. #acceptyourself
The instrumentals of this song is so delicate. It actually gives me Niall Horan's "Small Town" vibes. The acoustic guitar stands above everything else and the strumming is gentle which complements really well the meaning Olivia is trying to convey.
Jhanya: This song hits the feels for me. Olivia’s insecurities and hesitance can be felt and heard throughout the song. Mainly using an acoustic guitar also made the song feel more fragile which perfectly matched the lyrics and overall vibe of the song. The “changing yourself for a romantic partner (or partner in general, actually) just for them to “love you more” trope is something that really just saddens and angers me every time I hear or read about it. Everyone deserves a person that will love them for who they are, not who they want them to be. And I Ria has explained that beautifully in her review above. #acceptyourself indeed.
08 happier
"Oh, I hope you're happy
But not like how you were with me
I'm selfish, I know, I can't let you go
So find someone great, but don't find no one better
I hope you're happy, but don't be happier"
Ria: The song that hits me, um oomph.
Olivia sings how her ex would find someone great and have a good relationship, but hopes that he wouldn't forget her and have her remain a significant person in his past. In heartache, we may act selfishly and wish ill on your ex and similarly, in this song, she wishes her ex to still feel happier when he was with her but only as an exaggeration.
The soft ballad happier showcases Olivia's voice to be pure, raw, and heartfelt. Lowkey similar to drivers license but I think Olivia's voice was showcased and was placed more significance into more in this song.
"I'm selfish, I know, I can't let you go
So find someone great but don't find no one better"
Jhanya: The tune of this song makes me want to dance the waltz to it with a partner, but the lyrics make me want to sit in a corner and just cry.
happier has Olivia saying that she will let go of her ex, and hope that he is happy with his new partner. BUT hopefully, he isn’t happier than when he was with her. THE FEELS MAN. It hits HARD. Out of all the songs, it gives off the most similar vibes to drivers license in my opinion, but on a softer note as the song mainly wanted to highlight Olivia’s emotions using her voice. I also love the instrumentation for this song because it just feels so dreamy, as if you’re floating on a cloud.
09 jealousy, jealousy
"Happier, prettier, jealousy, jealousy
All I see is what I should be"
Ria: This song talks about the unrealistic societal standards placed on girls – how they should look, how they're body should be thin, how girls are often compared to one another and criticized again and again. And because of all this comparison, jealousy sparks between young women, and self-shaming behavior becomes a norm in social media.
Our society shouldn't dictate what we look like. We should accept and be happy with who we are and how we look. Everyone is beautiful and every body is beautiful. We should stop making thin, tall, beautiful women the standard of beauty because everyone is beautiful and unique in their own way.
Jhanya: We all stan the relatable queen that is Olivia Rodrigo. This song perfectly encapsulates all the new and unrealistic standards people have on others and themselves because of social media. Whenever anyone scrolls through social media, especially Instagram there is always a moment where they feel jealous of someone because of something that other person has. And it is okay to be jealous, but when you shame yourself because of that jealousy, is very unhealthy and can often lead to problems. But with all of the luxury things that we see others have on social media, it’s very hard to not be sad for yourself. Still, we should learn not to follow what society deems as “good” and “superior”.
Once again, just a reminder that you should #acceptyourself and aim to be your own, unique you.
10 favorite crime
"Yeah, everything we broke and all the trouble that we made
But I say that I hate you with a smile on my face"
Ria: The metaphorical imagery was outstanding in this song. Olivia sings about how she is partly to blame for her broken relationship because she allowed herself to be treated that way. Now starts moving on. What I love about this song is how the character development can be seen. From blaming it all on her ex to screaming at the new girl and now accepting defeat that the relationship is over with the implication that she had a hand in it, we see Olivia has matured through the album. favorite crime starts the healing process for Olivia and it's so satisfying to see this.
"I let you treat me like that
I was your willing accomplice, honey"
Jhanya: This song is the start of acceptance in SOUR’s stages of grief. As Ria mentioned, Olivia is finally accepting how she was also partly responsible for allowing herself to be treated the way she was. And with this realization, she can finally, truly let go of her past relationship and start anew. We love a good character growth *applause*.
How she used a crime as a metaphor (I forgot if that is the right term lol) to her relationship with her ex was just *chef’s kiss*.
11 hope ur ok
"Hope he took his bad deal and made a royal flush"
Ria: hope ur ok is a song reminiscing about the past. Olivia remembers her past friends and sings how she misses them and wishes them well.
This song is so impactful because of all stories that Olivia has sung about her friends. First, a boy whom she's been friends with but had a bad life with stories being hidden from his parents. She wishes him well and hopes that he made his bad deal into a "royal flush" which signifies the highest and strongest hand in poker so that he finally is able to overcome his hardships.
In the second verse, Olivia sings of a girl whose emotional relationship with her family was nearly nonexistent. "where a family was merely blood" But even so, Olivia is proud of her friend and loves and accepts her for who she is. Olivia is proud that she was created and the courage that she learned from all the hatred she got in her environment. And at the end of the verse, Olivia says how much she misses her and that she hoped she is okay.
This song is so heartfelt since we've all had fallen-out friendships. And this song is so unique because it doesn't really have a chorus. Even so, the song has a synth melody throughout that makes the song more heartfelt and emotional. This song is quite a masterpiece and it's a great way to end the album, the story.
"Well, I hope you know how proud I am you were created
With the courage to unlearn all of their hatred"
Jhanya: I could not have asked for a better way to end this album. This song was just so heartwarming. From the storytelling to its placement in the album just tugs at your heartstrings but makes you feel at peace at the same time. The song mainly has Olivia telling stories about past friends and that she wishes them well (see Ria’s review above for the specific details xD). And the way she tells those stories through this song, with that melody and synth just makes it an absolute masterpiece. I legit had chills when I listened to this song while reading the lyrics.
Final Thoughts
Ria: Overall, this album is quite out of this world. It is different from the usual ballad albums with alt-pop and punk rock songs mixed in it. Olivia Rodrigo takes us to her messy, chaotic story of heartache, nostalgia, anger, jealousy, and moving on. The best thing about each song, for me, is the bridges in each song. They place your emotions on another level and really get to you. Her lyricism is out of this world with hints of Taylor Swift and other songwriters but still with her Olivia mark. Now, all I know is that Olivia Rodrigo is a queen and surely, she’ll go places.
Jhanya: I think the world just found a new music icon in Olivia Rodrigo, and the fact that we’re basically the same age still blows my mind. This album was a beautiful emotional roller coaster ride that will leave you satisfied and at peace once you reach the end. How it also didn’t stick to having purely ballad songs made it all the more enjoyable. Hearing Alternative and Punk Rock from a young artist gives me hope for the future of the music industry. My favorite part would have to be the order of the tracks in the album. It was so well crafted to a point that you wouldn’t get bored while listening and continuously want to keep listening after each song. The top 3 tracks for me are 1 step forward, 3 steps back, good 4 u, and hope ur ok. All in all, I loved this album and I seriously can’t wait for what Olivia Rodrigo has up her sleeve in the future.
Rating
FINAL RATING:
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