Olivia Rodrigo is a decent postmodern talent. Her first album released back in 2021 SOUR not only was a breakthrough international success for Olivia but also avoided sounding like a totally throwaway effort, unlike many of her contemporaries today. This is predominantly the era of feminist celebrity women becoming pop stars with the aid of a laptop and although that is a stereotypical observation, there is truth in that. Having said that, Olivia Rodrigo is here to break that mould with her interesting and varied music. She also comes across as someone who seemingly lacks pretension in her own music. This album has been seen as bolder and more adventurous than her previous debut album. Let’s hear this release and hopefully, it will sound as good as promised.

all-american bitch begins with some really nice acoustic guitar playing, and Olivia Rodrigo launches into an awesome vocal that sounds magnificent. Instantly, this is a classic tune upon hearing. It sounds like Led Zeppelin’s acoustic work which is different. Without warning, this launches into a Heavy Rock tune that sounds awesome. This differentiates between the two musical sections at hand, and this is a really awesome listen throughout. The lyrics are excellent, and the climax is really fantastic. Sounding somewhat like No Doubt or something similar, this does reveal quality over quantity. It ends with a great set of singing and harmonies over the acoustic guitars. It ends with the sound of someone knocking on a door. Brilliant.

bad idea right? begins with the door opening and launches into another Rock based tune. Olivia Rodrigo sings about an ex-boyfriend who is a hassle and who requests a meet-up. Musically, this tune sounds amazing and has some really great production techniques on it. Olivia’s singing is really awesome and the chorus is fantastic here, in particular. An awesome listen from start to finish, this is already a Classic Album by this point. She launches into a tremendous and multi-range set of vocals, particularly in the chorus. There is a weird 1960s organ styled solo here towards the end. This is likely the best album of 2023 so far, and we are only two songs in. Absolutely brilliant effort. It fades out nicely.

vampire begins with moody piano and sounds really excellent from the beginning. Olivia Rodrigo sings in an almost whispered voice and sings in a fairly moody way about contemporary subjects. This isn’t about being a supernatural being, just being emotionally drained. Nonetheless, this music is absolutely amazing and Olivia Rodrigo sings about an ex-boyfriend who wasted her time, in a passionate and emotionally heartfelt way. This is really awesome to listen to, and Olivia exceeds all expectations musically. The construction of this song sounds really deep and intense, and the music is wonderful, complete with real drum beat loops and orchestration to match. A really awesome song, and the most popular piece from this album. It ends with the chorus finishing and reaching an emotionally intense high, followed by some looping. Totally excellent.

lacy begins with a fingerpicked acoustic guitar and launches into a good song devoted to what seems to be a person or being that Olivia misses. This is still very consistent and pretty, keeping with the theme of this album. There are themes of bisexualism present here, which are different. Still, Olivia’s pretty and multitracked vocals are amazing here, and the multitracked acoustic guitars and suspenseful emotion will catch you every time. In the second half, there is a great instrumental solo section with soaring harmonies by Olivia Rodrigo that sound really fantastic. Nonetheless, a really great song to listen to. Pretty, awesome and gorgeous sounding, this is likely inspired by a drug trip. Still, this is really cool music.

ballad of a homeschooled girl begins with guitars, pounding drums and sounds much more like a Rock tune than the Electronic garbage that has dominated the Pop scene for so long. Olivia Rodrigo assumes a more aggressive and out-there persona here, and she sounds really possessed and furious in this song. This song is still varied enough and wonderful enough to capture one’s attention. It details the messed up social circumstances that one as a young person can experience. Nonetheless, this music is excellent. “It’s social suicide!” screams Olivia throughout. There is a breakdown towards the end here that sounds really decent and awesome, before launching back into the nasty (in a positive sense) Rock groove, before concluding nicely. Good job girl.

making the bed begins with some Electronic sounds and birds chirping, and quickly launches into another good listening experience about regrets in life that one can experience. This is a young person’s unhappy vibe music, but it sounds quite interesting and good to hear. It is a good example of how a digital ballad can be nicely delivered on such an album. Olivia Rodrigo sounds like a lady who is still young but despises the life she lives. A great song for those of you who are doing it tough, this sounds very unusual. Towards the end is a fuzz guitar solo, just before this song has an emotional conclusion. A good listening experience, and something to remember.

logical begins with more melodic piano and launches into a moody ballad that sounds quite romantic and deep. Olivia Rodrigo sings from a vulnerable place and this is the sort of music that one should listen to if they feel low. There is a George Orwell 1984 reference in this song as well, for those of you who have read that book. This is a very beautiful and moving song that continues to reveal Olivia’s musical talent and abilities present here. This song is a real tearjerker tune that sounds very moving. In the second half, Olivia gets very intense over some Pink Floydian keyboard, before the piano returns. A deeply romantic tune, this sounds amazing and tackles compromise in relationships. An excellent listen and very revealing. It ends minimally. Another great tune.

get him back! begins with a clack of drumsticks and a false start, quickly launching into an interesting song about another ex-lover, this time sounding like an upbeat Nine Inch Nails tune. Olivia Rodrigo sings about a guy who is ultimately a disappointment, but who she wants back in retrospect in both positive and negative ways. This is a good tune but is less emotional than previous songs. Still, it is just as consistent as the other songs on this album. A really cool and interesting listening experience, this is a really cool and amazing experience musically unlike any other. There is a breakdown in the second half which reveals more regret and inner turmoil dealing with an ex who she has mixed feelings about. Revenge is a dish best served cold, it seems. A weird tune, especially in the outro.

love is embarrassing is an honest song title, if there were ever one. It launches into a keyboard and drum-heavy groove, with Olivia Rodrigo singing about a cheating lover. It quickly launches into a fantastic Alternative Rock styled tune that is another middle finger to a cheating lover. A really excellent song, this album seemingly is the soundtrack to the fact that divorce rates are well over 50% in Western countries today. The music again is fairly good, although perhaps not as good as the tracks present in the first half of this album. Still, Olivia sings really well here. Another short and solid tune, at around two and a half minutes long.

the grudge begins with some keyboard, acoustic guitars and launches into another emotional ballad. It’s not about the Japanese horror film of the same name, but an actual grudge. Olivia Rodrigo sings sweetly about the intense and emotional nature of a terrible breakup. This is the Burt Bacharach of the 21st century, that is break up songs for those who are having a hard time. Olivia Rodrigo sounds so amazing and sweet that she will melt your heart upon listening, her singing and great music (a nice change from the ordinary music of most popular acts in postmodern times) will make you an instant fan. In the second half, Olivia gets extremely intense and sounds like she is holding back tears as she sings about the terrible nature of a painful experience. It ends softly with piano ringing out.

pretty isn’t pretty is an eye of the beholder sort of thing. It begins with a retro 1980s sounding Rock based track and sounds fairly different. Olivia Rodrigo sings about being a real narcissist and dealing with the bad experiences of being rejected due to external appearance. Bear in mind that in the 21st century, vanity is real. This song outlines that in typical Olivia Rodrigo style, and she talks about selling out visually and reflects on it. A good listen, although this is a little off-target for this album. Still, it is not out of place here. Another decent listen from this amazing young talent, worth your ears once again. It fades out nicely.

teenage dream begins with some more moody piano and has Olivia Rodrigo reflect on being a teenager. She is now a young adult, and although that is the case, she is only 20 at the time of writing. She sings reflecting on her recent years and apologises to people for not being good enough. Which is self-pitying and sad, but she has her point if she has indeed, failed at other things in her life. A majestic and lovely listen throughout, this is about turning 19 and getting a bit older as a result. A very moody, emotional and another tearjerker tune to listen to, this launches into a chanting based piece that is loud and moving with a huge amount of dynamic instrumentation. The outro is very pretty but falls apart in many ways. Weird. The album ends here.

This is the best that contemporary music gets in 2023. Olivia Rodrigo, despite sticking to a formula of break-up songs and bitter regret, delivers so well on the music at hand here. She sings well and selects the correct sounds and sorts of songs for her musical style, alternating between Alternative Rock stylings and piano break-up ballads. Her debut album was good, but this is outstanding. Should you listen to this album? Yes, particularly if you dig music of the 21st century and want to hear a great female singer, warts and all.

A fantastic, clever and amazing listening experience.

9/10