On March 21st, Olivia Rodrigo released the deluxe version of her smash sophomore album, GUTS, affectionately titled GUTS (spilled). The deluxe includes five new tracks – “obsessed,” “girl i’ve always been,” “scared of my guitar,” “stranger,” and “so american,”- four of which were originally teased during a promotional video for GUTS.
The new release is consistent with her past work in many ways, as she continues her lyrical passion with the nature of relationships and her own insecurities. On the Paramore/Hole-influenced track “obsessed,” she sings about her new partner’s ex-girlfriend: “If I told you how much I think about her/You’d think I was in love/And if you knew how much I looked at her pictures/You would think we’re best friends.” She later establishes that this ex-girlfriend treats her well, making Rodrigo’s paranoia towards her even more unfounded. And somehow, through unruly guitars, Riot grrrl-esque vocals, and a music video connecting each trait of her partner’s ex-girlfriend to awards in a beauty pageant, Rodrigo makes relationship lunacy sound really good.
However, the tracks aren’t just made up of upbeat Avril Lavigne songs transported two decades in time. “girl i’ve always been” is a joyful declaration of Rodrigo’s identity, as she rejects any idea that she’s changed who she is for another person. Contrasting Rodrigo’s statement of “always consistent” is the song’s production: the use of a plucky guitar, playful vocals, and light conga drums create an overall product that seems more akin to a campfire sing-along than anything else, which is unique to this point in Rodrigo’s discography.
“scared of my guitar” is a deeply personal ballad that sees Rodrigo diving into her relationship with the aforementioned instrument, similar to “Cherry” by Amy Winehouse. But unlike “Cherry,” where Winehouse expresses deep appreciation for her guitar and highlights the two’s deep connection, Rodrigo sings of the exact opposite relationship. “But I’m so scared of my guitar/’Cause it cuts right through to the heart/Yeah, it knows me too well so I got no excuse,” she belts in exasperation.
On “stranger,” another well-made ballad, Rodrigo finds growth in moving on from the strain of a past relationship and self-acceptance in her own strength as a person. This growth can also be applied to Rodrigo’s own attitude toward relationships in her music. On the track “happier,” off of her debut album SOUR, she sings: “Oh, I hope you’re happy/But not like how you were with me.” In contrast, on “stranger,” she wishes for happiness for her ex-partner and leaves it at that – no toxic wishes for the future. Rodrigo proves that while she’s still young and has many things to learn in love, she’s doing her absolute best (in both relationships and music).
Even with all this said, there’s a clear best track of the five. “so american” is the only track that Rodrigo didn’t tease during that GUTS promotional video, and it might be the best piece of music she’s ever made. The majority of the music in her catalog that revolves around relationships and love falls more on the cynical and resentful side – all three main singles for SOUR examined the sadness and bitterness that came with failed relationships and the boy Rodrigo loved finding new love. The title and lyrics of “so american” refer to her reportedly blooming relationship with English actor Louis Partridge, whom she’s been seen with in public multiple times. This makes “so american” the first love song she’s ever released since she began her musical career, and Rodrigo somehow hits the bullseye on her first attempt. The charismatic bop starts with an electric bassline that permeates throughout the song, and along with some upbeat drums and Rodrigo’s loud, infatuated lyrics, she creates a beautiful ode to a promising relationship. She yells with absolute bliss: “And he says I’m so American/Oh God, I’m gonna marry him/If he keeps this sh*t up.”
With GUTS (spilled), Olivia Rodrigo has only fortified her status as one of the biggest and best pop stars in the world. Since Feb. 23rd, she’s embarked on a world tour that will see her play 77 total shows across North America and Europe for another five months. In only fifteen minutes and five tracks, Rodrigo muses about the usual topics like relationship issues and recognizing her identity, but as a person and an artist who’s gone through a plethora of growth. When she deviates from that formula, she can’t help but make even better music. If anyone can represent absolute stardom without being even close to their peak, it’s Olivia Rodrigo, and GUTS (spilled) is a great representation of that.
