Olivia Rodrigo Made SOUR Sweet

I think it is safe to say that Olivia Rodrigo has done it again, but this time she gave us a whole album. If you are anything like me, you have been anxiously waiting for her album to solve all of your problems. Ever since the release of “Driver’s License” in January of 2021, Olivia has been consistent in creating top hits. 

On May 21st, Olivia Rodrigo released her first album, SOUR, and in my opinion, it is nothing less than perfect. Even before she turned eighteen, Olivia made history by being the first song to hit 1 Billion global streams in 2021. Since then, her music has dominated the billboard charts. 

As a seventeen-year-old girl, Rodrigo is still growing and learning alongside us. This is another reason why the album is so relatable. She recognizes that there is still so much to learn about life and love just like most of us will. To add, I felt that this album was a great homage to all of the artists that have inspired her along the way. You hear the influence from musicians such as Taylor Swift, Conan Gray, Billie Eilish, etc. Now, we are all taking influence from her. While I’ve ranked these from my favorite to least favorite, there truly are no skips on this album.

1. “Favorite Crime”:

Sometimes no matter how much you love someone, you shouldn’t be handcuffed to them forever, as Rodrigo shares in this song. I felt that I connected with this song the most because it reminds me of the same emotions I endured in a past relationship. The somber tone and soft melody reflect the feeling of pouring your heart into someone else just for them to break it. 

2. “Traitor”:

Have you ever felt betrayed in a relationship, although you weren’t cheated on? This is the journey Rodrigo takes us on in Traitor. Somehow, she is able to take harsh and bitter emotions but turns them into a melancholy melody. While listening to this heartbreaking masterpiece, you’ll want to scream and cry all at the same time.

3. “Happier”:

Yes, this song may sound selfish, however, we have all been there before. There is a grieving period that comes with a breakup. Being in a relationship is a constant in your everyday life, once that is gone it can feel like something has died within you. The tone of this song is depressing with soft sounds of the piano in the background. I don’t believe Rodrigo meant to sound egotistical in “Happier”, she still wishes her past lover the best but is not prepared to become a ghost. 

4. “Good 4”:

This song was a shift in the album. Most of her other music has reflected a sorrowful beat, but this song is upbeat and makes you want to scream and jump on your bed. Although you may want to dance around to this playful melody, the lyrics are quite scornful. Her past lover has moved on, however, they don’t seem to care how she is coping with their breakup. 

5. “1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back”:

To me, this song feels like being in an emotionally abusive relationship. In “1SF3SB”, Rodrigo states, “I’d leave you but the rollercoaster is all I've ever had.” Rodrigo’s tone of voice and the slow tempo of the song reflects the waiting game she endured while contemplating where she went wrong. When you’re in that situation, it can be hard to leave because you become used to the instability of the relationship. This song is a safe haven for those who have gone through emotional abuse. 

6. “Hope Ur Ok”:

This song is simply beautiful and is important for a multitude of reasons. Not only does “Hope Ur Ok” serve as her swan song to her past lover, but it is also a tribute to the LGBTQ+ community. She speaks about acceptance, love, and forgiveness. Rodrigo uses a more upbeat tone of voice to show that she really does hope the best for the audience. She reminds the audience that no matter who you are or who you love, she will always support you. 

7. “Brutal”:

It really is brutal out here. This song is much different from everything else on the album. The Rock and Roll beat reflects the messages she speaks about in the song. Rodrigo makes a lot of social commentary about not fitting into society's “norms.” As a teenager, there is so much pressure to be perfect. But most of us can’t even parallel park. 

8. “Deja Vu”:

I feel that this song shares the denial stage of a breakup. Rodrigo uses a playful melody but sarcastic lyrics to show that everything her lover is doing with their new girlfriend, they did first. She is mocking their relationship in order to hide her jealousy. I feel that is something we can all relate to whether it be in romantic relationships or friendships. 

9. “Drivers License”:

This song was the gateway to what the rest of SOUR would look like. I feel that this song reflected Rodrigo’s desolate feelings after her breakup. She feels that she is nothing without them because they were a constant in her life. The background sound of a car starting makes the listener feel as though they are driving past her lover's house right alongside her. The fast tempo also mocks the way that her significant other was able to move on so fast, but she is stuck in a state of emptiness. 

10. “Enough For YoU”:

Have you ever felt that you tried to change yourself just so someone would like you and they don’t even seem to notice? Rodrigo shares her experience with this. “All I ever wanted was to be enough for you,” she sings, as the soft strums of the guitar in the background almost make this song sound like a lullaby. “Enough For You” reflects the fact that she put her true self to rest in order to fit what she thought her partner wanted. 

11. “Jealously, Jealousy”:

Similar to “Brutal”, this song also makes social commentary. Her tone sounds cynical and utterly jealous. Rodrigo states, “Their beauty is not my lack.” However, these days it is hard to not get caught up in social media and it starts to make people compare themselves to others. She recognizes that she is acting jealous—but how can she not be? 

Ultimately, Rodrigo can do no wrong. SOUR has become one of my favorite albums. She is able to touch the emotions of so many people through music. I am confident that we can keep expecting top hits from her in the future. I’m also confident that I will have SOUR on repeat for the next few months. Yes, I said months. Mind your own business!

Listen to the album below!