SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo has taken the world by storm, breaking streaming records held by bonafide superstars, the likes of Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, and Lady Gaga. So what is so special about this eleven track and thirty-four minute record?
Aside from the incredible lyricism and production, SOUR’s promotion has been thoroughly and unabashedly gen-z’s ‘aesthetic.’ Rodrigo created a SOUR hotline, for fans to call and hear a sneak-peak of the upcoming album. She has also collaborated with SourPatch Kids to make branded candies, which have been selling out at record rates. Finally, her Depop, which sells the Y-2K inspired ‘fits from her music videos for charity, has been blowing up and has more than 100,000 followers. Everything about Rodrigo’s promotion fits the aesthetic of teenage girls, and the cute-sy, fun they embody.
However, her music speaks to the deeper struggles, heartbreak, and insecurities of teenagers, and in a way that is revolutionizing the music industry.
brutal
The album begins with an energyic, short two minute rant. “Brutal”, in a cutting and pop-punk way, gives insight into the social anxiety of a teenage girl’s life and the feelings of insecurity that come along with it. Brutal also represents a punchy and raw side to Olivia Rodrigo, a break from the rest of the album, which is filled with ballads and longing love songs. In other words, it is refreshingly bratty. The real power of “brutal”, however, comes from its relatability to teenage girls, and its ability to invoke the common feelings of isolation, self-criticism, and overall teen-angst.
I feel like no one wants me
And I hate the way I’m perceived
I only have two real friends
And lately, I’m a nervous wreck
‘Cause I love people I don’t like
And I hate every song I write
And I’m not cool and I’m not smart
And I can’t even parallel park
traitor
“Traitor” delves into the betrayal of Joshua Bassett, her co-star on the cast of High School Musical: The Series and her ex. In the relationship, Joshua is said to have betrayed her, not by openly cheating, but by acting as if their relationship was insignificant and only taking “two weeks” in between their breakup and his next relationship. “Traitor” is a key song in the album as it serves as a prelude to the themes more thoroughly delved into in drivers license: the record-blowing first single off the album. “Traitor” serves as a melancholy universal anthem for people who have been cheated on, or feel betrayed by their past significant others, a hidden gem of SOUR.
drivers license
This was the first single to be released. To say it went viral, would still be an understatement. The song focuses on the alleged relationship between Joshua Bassett and another post-Disney star, Sabrina Carpenter, very notably the line “and you’re probably with that blonde girl,” only increased the drama, and therefore the publicity for “drivers license.”
The lyrics involve Rodrigo’s pure emotion towards Bassett, playing on the rather simple and unoriginal song topic of exes and unrequited love. However, her compelling storytelling throughout the song and musical signatures, such as the beginning sound of an ajar car door, sets this record apart from the thousands of other songs dedicated to “soured” relationships. This song also uniquely spoke to the experiences of suburban teenage kids, as seen by the myriad of Tiktok trends that stemmed from it.
1 step forward, 3 steps back
“1 step forward, 3 steps back” describes the experience of a toxic relationship, causing Rodrigo to doubt herself due to her partner.
You got me fucked up in the head, boy
Never doubted myself so much
Like, am I pretty? Am I fun, boy?
I hate that I give you power, over that kind of stuff
The song begins with chirping birds heard at the beginning and the end of the song create a world of peace, so at odds with the insecurity Rodrigo is dealing with, and her repetition adds to the codependence Rodrigo is describing in her relationship. It is most comparable to songs by Olivia Rodrigo’s mentor, Taylor Swift, for its wistful vibe and storytelling merit. This is further proven by the fact that Taylor Swift and her longtime producer, Jack Antonoff, are both credited as songwriters, and the lyrics are filled with allusions to Swift’s body of work.
deja vu
“Deja vu,” the second single off SOUR, describes the parallels between Rodrigo and Joshua’s relationship and whomever he is now dating. She calls out the lack of originality Joshua has in his dates, his jokes, and his feelings. She further calls out his phoniness and how he must feel “deja vu” whenever he is with his new girl because he is trying to emulate their past relationship in his current one. However, this leads deeper into the theme that she is insecure that all she was in the relationship was a type: that their relationship is replaceable and thoroughly nonspecific.
This single stands out not only for the message it conveys but also for the visuals in the music video. With refracting and constantly shifting images, Rodrigo is able to visually transfer the obsession she feels with the new girl and her jealousy as the two people become one.
good 4 u
“Good 4 u” is, based on numerous charts, the most popular song released with the entire album, therefore excluding the previously released “drivers license” and “deja vu.” While many other songs on SOUR deal with a breakup or a past relationship with a regretful, resentful, or insecure tone, this song, in contrast, embodies the pure anger that comes out during the breakup process.
If you are looking for the best song on the record to scream in the car, possibly causing hearing damage, “good 4 u” should be your pick. Rodrigo is speaking directly to Bassett to tell him she’s glad he is emotionless; she’s glad he is over her; she’s glad she looks like the crazy over-emotional one, and she’s glad he’s acting “like a damn sociopath.” However, the many ways in which I could summarize the song all fall short of the music video, which accurately depicts its raw influence and emotion.
enough for you
“Enough for you” begins with the soulful strums of a guitar and Rodrigo’s insecurity in herself. She worries that she does not measure up to the “prom queens” Bassett has dated before her. She describes that “all she ever wanted was to be enough for you.” She ends the song with a promise that one day she will be everything to someone else, because Bassett lost his chance. Enough for you once again hearkens back to the influence of Taylor Swift with its chord progression and lyrical format.
happier
A keystone ballad of the album displaying a differing perspective, “happier” explains beautifully the nuance of a breakup and certain relationships with exes. She wishes in a slightly selfish and self-fulfilling way for him to be in love with some other wonderful and beautiful girl, but never to the extent that he loved her. This song shows the deeply human desire to be loved in a unique and eternal way, all through the deeply relatable lens of a high school breakup.
But she’s beautiful, she looks kind, she probably gives you butterflies
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
jealousy, jealousy
“Jealousy, jealousy” takes a step away from the boy drama for a second to talk about being a woman of color and being the not “ideal standard of beauty.” Rodrigo connects the beauty standards of the impossibly perfect social media age and being in the spotlight for a long time. Like a number of the other songs on the album including “brutal”, Rodrigo is able to musicalize a set of emotions sadly too prevalent in many modern, teenagers’ lives.
“Jealousy, jealousy” also provides a break from the melancholy, piano-background ballads, and is a more rhythmic and anthem-like track to round out the album, and the incorporation of this piece helped distinguish Rodrigo’s debut from the countless other albums focused only on past partners and teenage love.
favorite crime
“Favorite crime” gives a graphic retelling of the damage the breakup did to Rodrigo, akin to a crime being done to her. She describes how the emotional brutalization feels physical, and yet she still defended him. This sound is without a doubt the saddest song on SOUR, paralleled by an emotional performance by Rodrigo. The most heart-wrenching aspect of these lyrics is the fact that while she recognizes the damage he has inflicted upon her emotionally (and possibly physically) yet she still would go back to him if she had the chance.
And now, every time a siren sounds
I wonder if you’re around
‘Cause you know that I’d do it all again
This song goes beyond the previous songs on this album that discuss her experiences with past relationships. “Favorite crime” draws distinct parallels with “1 step forward, 3 steps back,” both discussing toxic relationships, yet from different perspectives. “Favorite crime” describes a past relationship with Rodrigo looking back critically yet willing to return. In the latter, she, in contrast, conveys her confusion while with a toxic partner, lowering her self-esteem. Both songs prove to be a good indicator to what extent a relationship can mess up your own perceptions of yourself and others.
hope ur ok
“Hope ur ok” is the emotional end to an emotional and nuanced album. She uses lyricism and storytelling to summarize the story of children facing tough childhoods, mainly with issues of acceptance.
Her parents hated who she loved
She couldn’t wait to go to college
She was tired ’cause she was brought
Into a world where family was merely blood
This section, according to insight from Seventeen Magazine, likely tells the story of an LGBQT+ adolescent who is struggling with acceptance from her immediate family. The dark and traumatic conflicts discussed in this song are also met with messages of hope for the future and Rodrigo’s support.
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