OLIVIA RODRIGO / SOUR
Olivia Rodrigo. Born in California in 2003, she was 18 at the time of this 2021 release. Her mother is of German and Irish descent, and her father is a Filipino-American. She is also active as a Disney Channel actress, known for her role as Paige in 'Bizaardvark' and Nini in the Disney+ series 'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.' A singer-songwriter who writes her own music, she counts Taylor Swift and Lorde as her favorites. This album was also created almost entirely by her and music producer Dan Nigro as a home-recorded indie rock project.
Country of Origin: US
Genre: Pop Rock
Active Years: 2015-Present
1 Brutal ★★★★☆
Following an orchestral intro, hard rock guitar riffs kick in. It feels grunge and alternative. The constantly descending riffs have a sense of listlessness. Rather than a teen idol project, it feels very much like a garage rock band. After a mid-song slowdown with whispered parts, it reaches its finale. It is a high-impact opening, even among recent rock revival bands.
2 Traitor ★★★★
A song that follows the lineage of alternative female singer-songwriters, like Fiona Apple or Alanis Morissette. It has a US indie rock feel. The vocal expressiveness is high, perhaps honed by her time in musical dramas. The nuances of her voice change significantly, and it is filled with emotion. The texture of the sound is earthier and more organic than expected. The latter half features layered choruses that build up in a gospel-like fashion. It is not necessarily that pop-oriented. It has a solid melody.
3 Drivers License ★★★★
A ballad with a fairly idiosyncratic singing style. Midway through, when the rhythm enters, it takes on a slightly Disney-esque quality. However, the descending notes are compelling—perhaps the bass. It is calming, grounding, and has a sense of listlessness. It is not as downer or acerbic as Billie Eilish, but it has a somewhat downer, introspective feel, even if there are dreamy parts. From the middle, there is a transparent chorus. Should one call it Fleet Foxes or Tame Impala, or perhaps Taylor Swift collaborating with them?
4 1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back ★★★☆
Fiona Apple-esque. A piano-accompanied song. The singing style is truly conversational, making one feel the story. It is rich in expression. None of the songs that appear one after another feel trite.
5 Deja Vu ★★★★
A pop feel with slightly whispered vocals, and from the middle, garage band-style drums with a crushed sound enter. It has an indie rock band sound. The song develops midway, with call-and-response choruses and a slightly hip-hop-like vibe. The groove is a bit loose.
6 Good 4 U ★★★★
Bouncy vocals, verses packed with words, 2010s American pop. Oh, then the guitar enters, shifting into a guitar-pop soundscape. Midway, downer parts mix with sing-along rock phrasing. This aspect is Disney-esque. Disney music also skillfully changes according to emotional fluctuations and the progression of the story. Since top-level composers are gathered at Disney, she likely absorbed a lot from that. It feels like she is matching the appropriate musical style to the emotions and stories she wants to convey.
7 Enough For You ★★★★☆
Plucked acoustic guitar and vocals. This song also features descending notes. There is a sensation of sound being sucked in or falling. She has made this a trademark of her sound. While the number of sounds is low, fine acoustic nuances are used effectively. The vocals gradually become more emotional and powerful. Also, the endings of the songs are generally clean. They end abruptly. This plays a role in making them feel pop-oriented. Ending while leaving the listener wanting more leaves a lingering impression.
8 Happier ★★★★☆
A slow blues beat. Piano instead of guitar, and this also features descending notes, a sound like something falling away. It’s likely a conscious sound logo. This one also ends abruptly. It’s clean. Every song is in the 2-3 minute range. Beatles-esque.
9 Jealousy, Jealousy ★★★★
Vocals over a restrained bass, like the more recent, laid-back Red Hot Chili Peppers. In the second half, the playfulness of the sound increases. The variety of songs has grown, and the vocals have gained more freedom.
10 Favorite Crime ★★★★☆
Singing while plucking guitar arpeggios. The melody develops several times before reaching the big chorus. This is skillful. I feel something similar to the new Wolf Alice album. By the end, before you know it, the sound has become quite grand. There is a certain UK singer-songwriter sensibility to it, too. It doesn't feel like it's just from the US. Perhaps it's because her roots are diverse and multinational. She has partially escaped the gravitational pull of country and blues.
11 Hope Ur Ok ★★★★☆
A rock ballad with a touch of Britpop. It has the hooks of modern pop, but the soundscape feels nostalgic.
Overall Rating ★★★★☆
It’s more authentic than I expected; I felt a tremendous talent. Her vocal expressiveness is rich, yet she retains a freshness appropriate for her age. With 11 songs in 35 minutes, the short length of each track gives a sense of songs unfolding one after another, like the Beatles. There is a strong sense of UK rock. While there are, of course, some influences from country and hip-hop, I feel more of a lineage of UK rock and alternative rock female singer-songwriters. Also, I felt a Disney-like quality here and there (especially in the first half). I occasionally watch Disney Channel productions, and the music is generally good. They often feature situations like "rock bands" or "youth" and performance scenes, and they always create music that fits perfectly. It’s professional work. She is likely learning that musical language while using it to effectively express her own emotions and artistry. I wonder if the current boom is due to expectations of her as a follower of Taylor Swift (who approached indie rock in 2020), or if she will establish her own artistry as a unique artist. She is an artist to look forward to. Personally, I prefer the second half (7-11), where I feel a UK rock hue, over the first half, where I feel more pop and Disney-like elements.