3X GRAMMY® WINNER Olivia Rodrigo Releases Highly Anticipated Album 'GUTS'
Photo Credit: Nick Walker
Multi-Platinum-selling three-time GRAMMY®-winner Olivia Rodrigo’s highly anticipated sophomore album GUTS arrives as the follow-up to her 2021 full-length debut SOUR and is nothing short of a masterpiece. The album features her No. 1 hit “vampire” and the new focus track “get him back!”
To celebrate the arrival of GUTS, Rodrigo has shared a live performance video for the album-opening “all-american bitch.”
Produced by frequent collaborator Daniel Nigro and partly created at the legendary Electric Lady Studios in New York City, GUTS is a major leap forward in both the unbridled honesty of Rodrigo’s songwriting and the bold originality of her sound. The album has already won acclaim from leading outlets like the New York Times, who stated that “Olivia Rodrigo, pop’s brightest new hope, just may be a rock star” in a recent feature of the 20-year-old.
With the premiere of “vampire” in June, Rodrigo offered a powerful introduction to her newly expanded artistry and immediately earned countless accolades. Like “vampire,” GUTS second single “bad idea right?” was named a Best New Track by Pitchfork, who hailed the latter as “one of the best pop performances of the year.” Released last month alongside its B-movie-inspired video. “bad idea right?” also drew raves from the likes of Rolling Stone (who called it a “sugary headbanger”) and the New York Times (who praised the track as a “bright, kaleidoscopic head-rush of a pop song…” in its weekly column “The Playlist”).
"logical" emerges as a poignant ballad that intricately explores the complexities of a tumultuous relationship tainted by manipulation and deceit. Within this piece, Rodrigo's remarkable vocals bear witness to her undeniable growth as an artist. Free from excessive production, the song places her voice at the forefront, its emotive resonance deeply affecting. Through lyrics that delve into the themes of vulnerability and self-blame, Rodrigo weaves a compelling narrative, offering a stark reflection on the frequently irrational aspects of love.
On deeply introspective "lacy," Rodrigo opens a window into her personal journey and the challenges she faces in dealing with feelings of inadequacy when measured against other female icons. The song's lyrics vividly depict the artist's ongoing struggle to conform to a specific image as a public figure, showcasing her unwavering determination through the repetition of the phrase "I try, I try, I try" in the chorus. Rodrigo fearlessly exposes the universal battle for authenticity within an industry that frequently imposes conformity, offering a narrative that resonates with listeners navigating the pressures of societal expectations.
Emotional and heartfelt track “pretty isn’t pretty” delves deeper into the theme of female physical expectations. It eloquently explores the ever-shifting fashion trends and ideals that permeate today’s society, a topic that resonates strongly with young girls navigating these societal pressures. Rodrigo skillfully conveys through her lyrics the ubiquity of these expectations and social norms perpetuated by the media, ultimately recognizing that the pursuit of perfection is an unattainable goal.
GUTS arrives as Rodrigo gears up for her performance at the MTV VMAs 2023, airing on Tuesday, September 12 at 8PM ET/PT. Directed by famed artist/director/photographer Petra Collins, the video for “vampire” received six nominations for this year’s VMAs, including Video of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Song of the Summer. Collins previously earned a GRAMMY® nomination for her work on the video for Rodrigo’s 4x Platinum, Hot 100-topping “good 4 u” and also directed the videos for her 2x Platinum “brutal” and for “bad idea right?”.
Thanks to the monumental success of “vampire” — and 5x Platinum debut single “drivers license” — Rodrigo is now the first artist ever to debut the lead single from two career-opening albums atop the Hot 100. She’s also the youngest artist in Hot 100 history to debut three hits at No. 1, while SOUR is the fastest album in history to have all its songs certified RIAA Platinum.