O-Rod! First thing’s first, being married to a thirty-something year old teenager, we listen to a lot of Olivia Rodrigo. I’m very well versed in her catalogue and although I do enjoy her music quite a lot, I would have gone in a bit of a different direction in the song choices. Nonetheless, lets see how this goes!

drivers license: Rightfully her biggest song, the lead single off of her debut album Sour, this song pretty much encapsulates the Olivia Rodrigo experience. Teenage heartbreak wrapped up into a pop ballad with a little bit of an edge. I think a part that helps make her so universally liked is that her songs are relatable or at least nostalgic to a wide audience. Highschool dramas were half a life ago for me but doesn’t mean I haven’t forgotten about all the dramatic music I used to listen to back in the day… still listen to today.

good 4 u: Everyone always compares this song to Misery Business by Paramore and of course I see the semblance but I always thought this music sounded like early 2000s Kelly Clarkson. Pop rock anthem with a killer voice. I’ve always had one problem with this song, I really dislike the sound mixing on this song, every instrument is muddy. I know in the end it’s a pop song where the vocals are most important but I wish all of the instruments had a bit more of an edge. Either way this song is a modern bop and unfortunately is the only “rocker” on this entire selection so I’ll enjoy this song while I can.

traitor: For the record I like deja vu better but this song is solid too. Strap in everyone, we’re in for a journey. Get ready to house a pint of Ben and Jerry’s while you cry into a pillow, or whatever teenage girls do during heartbreak. Dye your hair blue? Like drivers license, its teenage angst and heartbreak distilled into three and a half minutes.

the grudge: I’d say things are going to change but that would be a lie, we’re in deep on the girl pop depression lyrics. This is supposed to be a compliment but I’m not clever enough with words to properly explain what I mean. O-Rod’s lyrical content is for heartbroken teenage girls  as “Live Laugh Love” signs are for middle aged housewives in the early 2000s. Essential. I’ve listened to this entire playlist a lot over the last few years so to mix it up I listened to a full live version. She really does have a stellar voice. Whether the music is for you or not, I think it’s fair to say that she is insanely talented.

stupid song: New O-rod, only a couple months old! First minute is the same as the last few songs but then it kicks in for the second half with some prominent drums and a little guitar towards the end. The second half of this song reminds me of FLORIDA! By Taylor Swift, just a thing. Happier lyrics which is a nice change of pace. I don’t know much about music but she does this thing in a lot of her songs (a few in the selection) where it sounds like she is singing up and down a scale. I’m sure it’s something I just don’t know what it is, sounds good. That’s all.

begged: Quick note. The album title “you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love” is excellent and very apt. More of the same here, she has a monster voice and her lyrics are brutal. I’m sure there is an entire generation using this music as their breakup soundtrack. And after they listen they can check out Heart Meets Mind Psychology group!

girl i’ve always been: It’s definitely different. Little country/folk pop. It’s not for me but it’s refreshing to hear something different. I think she does a good job with it, just not for me. Points for being unique.

expectations: More girly synth pop. I can feel Dad Cascella’s score plummeting as we speak!  I mean sure. Between “girl i’ve always” been and “expectations” I would’ve went for a bunch of different other songs to fit into the unique character but I’m not the one choosing this week. What’s Wrong With Me ft. Robert Smith (dude is all over the place recently) would’ve been a cool song off of the same album. All American Bitch would’ve been a rocker to break up the ballads. But here we are, girl power pop! If they do a Sex In The City reboot, this song will be featured.

All I Want- From “High School Musical”: This is actually a hilarious final selection.  From the hit television series “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” (that’s seriously the title!) Olivia would’ve been around 16 years old when this came out which is absolutely wild. Another sad ballad to wrap up the selection. This time with a couple extra instruments, it kind of sounds like a low budget broadway production, which checks out. Not really going to acknowledge the music in this one since it’s a Disney track but she sounds great once again.

Olivia Rodrigo, at only 23 years old, wow that’s wild, is one of the biggest acts in all of music. All three of her studio albums have hit number 1 on the Billboard charts and literally EVERY song off her most recent album charted in not just the top 100 but in the top 30! That’s insane. Despite the 9 songs on display this week I would characterize O-rod as a pop rock artist. Taking inspiration from many of the same artists I grew up listening to, I think she is one of the best pop artists out there right now. I didn’t know where to fit this story into my review but one of my favorite recent stories from O-rod is about how her own mom skipped her set at Lollapalooza to go see Korn. She mentions how there probably isn’t much overlap between those fandoms but I have seen Korn before in concert and I would love to see O-rod!

7.7