Olivia Rodrigo’s 2023 sophomore album GUTS earned a deluxe version called GUTS (spilled) in early 2024. Since then, it has not left my mind nor a spot on my playlists.
Rodrigo’s highly anticipated return in 2023 followed her record-breaking debut in 2021. SOUR, her first studio album, reflected the heartbroken, tender teenager in various reactions: the mournful; the angry. The vulnerability of each song—rooted in Rodrigo’s earnestly youthful musicality and lyricism—was the key to the album’s success, especially its resonance with teenagers around the world.
In GUTS, Rodrigo plunged even further into her sound. With a matured and more confident sense of her own artistry, Rodrigo showcases an improved musical diversification in GUTS. Although SOUR had a few pop-punk-leaning tracks such as “jealousy, jealousy” and “brutal,” it is more defined by its pop ballad sound, like in “drivers license” or “traitor.” In contrast, “all-american bitch,” the first track on GUTS, immediately brings the listener into a concentrated pop-rock sound as well as introduces new lyrical subjects, especially about the impossible expectations set for the teenage girl who is coming of age. Even within the song, its verses and choruses intentionally clash, assuring the listener that GUTS is full of surprises. GUTS (spilled) only adds to the variety in the original album with five new tracks that further buttress her growth as an artist. Most notably, “girl i’ve always been” and “stranger” explore a new folky sound relatively centered around acoustic guitar.
The powerful charm of GUTS and its deluxe edition, however, is most importantly built into the candid nature of the artist not taking themselves too seriously all the time. Most apparent in the tracks “bad idea right?” and “get him back!,” Rodrigo is able to laugh at the sensitive subjects of her music while maintaining honesty and “sour” feelings. Each lyric is packed full of conversational frankness that supports the emotional punch of the song. Certain songs have fun by making just enough fun of themselves, resulting in a more aware, mature, and intimate listening experience—as if the story of the song is right there in a friend’s mouth. As such, Rodrigo maintains the success of her earnest musical style while having the guts to let her songs run wild.