Olivia Rodrigo New Album: Will it live up to the hype?

Multi-platinum-selling songstress Olivia Rodrigo has not only announced her new album and tour but has released the first single of her setlist. Fans are ecstatic and they should be; this marks Olivia’s first record in almost three years. With 13 tracks, a brand new color scheme, and a break from her usual four-letter word pattern, audiences are anticipating a new style and blend of melodies. But the key question is: will it live up to the hype? 

Olivia has already set the bar high with her first album SOUR debuting with 6x Platinum and winning two Grammys at the 2022 award show. She was fresh off her acting career, making this bold win a breath of fresh authenticity. When artists like Olivia emerge unexpectedly with a hit debut album, people’s expectations for later music is high. Undeniably, she was under a lot of pressure throughout the construction of her second album. She often complained that she “was making music to please people or prove something.”

With her third album, we see a transitional shift. Olivia has broken from her concise, four-letter word pattern used for SOUR and GUTS, instead opting for the mouthful of a title You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love. It highlights her shift as enters a new phase of her life and songwriting. She explained, “I think I kind of knew really early on that I sort of wanted to break that mold a little bit.” Now as she transitions to a different style, it feels appropriate. She mentioned that her new album will feature more romantic songs—a shift from her usual breakup music. She changed her signature album color from purple to light pink to illustrate this more dreamy, romantic style. 

With a new album after three years, a new style, and already rising public expectations, this 23-year-old certainly has a lot of weight on her shoulders. But is it even possible to reach the expectations beset upon her? 

“Drop Dead” is the first single off the album and was released on April 17, just a few weeks after the announcement of the album. Upon its release, it was flooded with critiques. While some praised the bright, dreamy quality of the song, others thought it was too soft and not as strong as some of her other lead singles. It was disparaged for not having the same emotional sharpness and the raw feeling usually present in Olivia’s music. 

Compared to some of Olivia’s previous work, this song has more emphasis on romanticism. The lyrics “One night I was bored in bed / And stalked you on the internet” show Olivia falling into the thrill of meeting someone new and becoming captivated by them. In the music video, her euphoria is emphasized as she is pictured skipping through the Palace of Versailles. Visually, it amplifies her new romantic phase while adding a carefree atmosphere to the song. 

“Drop Dead” may not have the same anguished, intense nature as some of Olivia’s past music, but it shows a new perspective of romantic ecstasy. While some may prefer her past records, it shouldn’t discredit her new music. A comparison between an artist’s old music and their new songs shouldn’t be the only way to assess the quality, mostly because it has negative effects on thoughtful evaluation and the artist as well. The Strokes underwent something similar. Julian Casablancas, the frontman of the 2000s rock band, frequently discussed the pressure he felt writing subsequent albums. He was constantly clouded with worry and doubt that they wouldn’t measure up to the previous songs and the expectations forming around them. 

Olivia is in uncharted territory. She is dabbling in new blends of music while also trying to meet the demands of her growing fanbase. In her situation, she is bound to displease some with her new album. Some fans may not enjoy her new style or the fact that, compared to her previous work, it might not be considered “revolutionary.” However, the stereotype in the music industry that everything an artist releases has to surpass all their previous work is outdated and unrealistic. Whether or not You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love is a “good” album is subjective but shouldn’t be based solely on her previous work. It’s important that all factors are considered because unrealistic hype is bound to lead to disappointment. The music industry’s brutality tied with unbounded anticipations can hinder thoughtful evaluation. Whether it’s Olivia or any artist, it’s crucial that this is kept in mind when listening.