Olivia Rodrigo recently released her sophomore album, Guts, which is sparking immense controversy between listeners.
The album contains 12 songs, amounting to just under 40 minutes of listening time. The album’s lead single, “vampire”, released on June 30, 2023, amassing almost 350 million listens by the time she dropped the album itself.
Following “vampire” on the charts is “bad idea right?”, which already has almost 100 million listens.
Rodrigo’s album has shown her growth and maturity since the release of Sour, her debut album, as she reflects on the hardships and struggles she experiences in her life. She tackles complicated topics such as self-doubt, unrealistic expectations, irreversibly damaged relationships, and more.
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone critic, writes, “Olivia Rodrigo knocked it out of the park on her first try, with her instant classic of a debut, Sour. Her excellent new Guts is another instant classic, with her most ambitious, intimate and messy songs yet.”
Others, though, have differing opinions. “On her sophomore album, Rodrigo shows us no musical identity that isn’t either referential to other pop music or based on feelings of self-inadequacy,” writes tougher critic Helen Holmes of The Daily Beast.
Despite negative criticism, though, Guts is only gaining in popularity as its songs rise to the top of the charts. Even if for no one else, Rodrigo shows her development and ability to be vulnerable and express emotions while writing music that continues to showcase her talent as a young artist.