The list of accomplishments Olivia Rodrigo has attained over the past few years is staggering. Music awards, streaming records, appearing on business magazine lists of one to watch, etc. Her indie rock credentials are quite impressive – A few months ago she posted on Instagram using an obscure Broken Social Scene track and at this year’s Lollapalooza festival she appeared on stage with The Smashing Pumpkins. In mid June she released her third album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love.
First single “drop dead went to #1 across the world, the uber pop song references The Cure with the line, “you know all the words to “Just Like Heaven””. She does one better later with Robert Smith appearing on “what’s wrong with me”. While there are more rock music like tracks on the album, this one sees Smith bending towards Rodrigo’s world vs the other way around. The aforementioned indie rock sound is most notable on the zippy guitar led “maggots for brains”.
“the cure” starts off as quiet and acoustic before a dramatic building in sound, she sings that “I thought I found the antidote with you” over thundering drums. “stupid song” uses a similar trick, quiet first verse that unleashes a sky reaching chorus. “less” is a slower piano track before the bouncy synths of “expectations” sees Rodrigo use different vocal styles to attack the song. It’s just one of the thirteen tracks on the album that Rodrigo co-wrote, mostly with producer Daniel Nigro. you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love is a well crafted soaring pop album.
8.5/10
The Light Appears 