i want it to be like, messy | sOuR thoughts 🍓🎶🦋

SOUR – Olivia Rodrigo

mini-review:
my summary offers nothing new that hasn’t already been said about this album, but I’m going to say it anyway. This almost-nostalgic, completely-fresh record brings in the occasional vigour of noughties break up songs, with the sincerity of modern-day slow songs. Each song is brought together with Olivia’s distinct voice, who has rapidly become one of the most recognisable vocalists of 2021. And all I really want to say about that is…. damn straight.

(track one) BRUTAL

🦋 Where’s my fucking teenage dream?
If someone tells me one more time
“Enjoy your youth,” I’m gonna cry 🦋

As soon as this song starts, you can see why it was the initial track of the record. It has a lot of energy and sets the tone for the album. The spiteful feelings, noughties era sound and the way it is packed full of emotion.

The song naturally has a bitter feeling. It even reads like a rant as it bounces from one point to the next. Whilst the beat and tone of the song does match the ‘fed-up’ lyrics, there is an undercurrent of positive energy. The song is quite therapeutic in its own way. It feels like a release, screaming into your pillow style. A satisfying scream. Teen angst in all its agony and glory.

I absolutely adore the start and end of the song. Both much gentler than the song itself. A very poetic move that could represent the difference between how we appear to how we feel. Particularly at the end, it feels so tender and vulnerable. The quietness after the loud expression of the song highlights the isolation you experience because of these feelings.

(track two) TRAITOR

🦋 God, I wish that you had thought this through
Before I went and fell in love with you 🦋

Like brutal, I believe traitor sets the other tone of the album. The slow, heartfelt ballads and as I am a sucker for slow songs, it was literally music to my ears.

This song has so much to love; the iconic-ness of the phrase “you betrayed me”, beautiful vocals and the ability to navigate complex feelings. I really appreciate how this song talks about pain when things have been done ‘by the book’. How feelings don’t work following technicalities. That feelings of love and pain are free of control. Society shouldn’t leave them to ‘can apply here’ rules.

This song will probably always make me think of Ross and Rachel from friends.

(track three) DRIVER’S LICENSE

🦋 I kinda feel sorry for them
‘Cause they’ll never know you the way that I do 🦋

The one that started it all. As soon as I heard this song, I could see why it had become so popular. It felt so different yet seemed to be a combination of all my favourite aspects of other music. Once it had finished, I just craved listening to it again and again… and again.

I love the lyrics of this song. It picks apart a small part of her life, getting her driver’s license, and uses it to talk about heartbreak and changes over time. I think it is so powerful because it’s always the small stuff that gets to you. The emotions feel so tentative and real.

(track four) 1 STEP FORWARD, 3 STEPS BACK

🦋 I hate that I gave you power over that kind of stuff 🦋

This song has a very slow rhythm. It has a gentle, simple, but effective composition. This is very much a contrast to the lyrics, as the partner’s traits depicted here seem the cruellest in a way. Even though it is a contrast, I think together they set a very effective tone and message.

I definitely like the emotions behind this song. I picture it as quite a cathartic song in some way as it very much acknowledges who’s at fault but doesn’t leave out the mess of emotions she feels over it.

(track five) DEJA VU

🦋 I bet she’s braggin’
To all her friends, sayin’ you’re so unique, hmm 🦋

Respectably, I was surprised this song was picked for her second single. Only because out of all the songs on the CD, I would place this song at the bottom. I know my opinion isn’t the roadmap for what’s popular, but I would also say it isn’t as talked about as other songs.

Saying that I by no means hate this song. It has such a peaceful feeling, and I LOVE the ‘hmm’s throughout the song. Something so simple makes all the difference. It adds this ‘i see your bs’ attitude and it’s *chef’s kiss*. Plus, I have to admire how it has this uncanny ability to make me want strawberry ice cream.

(track six) GOOD 4 U

🦋 Well, screw that and screw you
You will never have to hurt the way you know that I do 🦋

She is the queen bee. She is the b*tch. She is the icon. Safe to say, a landmark of a song. All the ‘aesthetic spite’ in one song, and it is pretty great. I love saying ‘good for you’ bitterly even more now.

I don’t really have any words, just admiration.

(track seven) ENOUGH FOR YOU

🦋 I’d say you broke my heart
But you broke much more than that
Now, I don’t want your sympathy
I just want myself back before 🦋

Enough for you is one of my favourites. So beautiful. The question of ‘am I enough?’ enters most people’s minds at some point and the way we are often willing to break ourselves to be enough. The lyrics are really quite heartbreaking, touching on how you can be so devoted to someone, and they won’t even care. I love the ending, how she takes a change in the narrative. Almost flipping the script. It felt so important to me how she recognises who was at fault and sees her self worth. I LOVE IT.

Plus, can we just appreciate the third from last ‘you’. I love how it is an elongated you. It is my favourite bit of the entire song.

(track eight) HAPPIER

🦋 I’m selfish, I know
I can’t let you go 🦋

Another absolute, ABSOLUTE favourite of mine. And, in all honesty, the initial reaction I would probably have if someone had appeared to have ‘moved on’ from me. Hands up, it isn’t the healthiest (at all), but “So find someone great but don’t find no one better, I hope you’re happy but don’t be happier”. It is just holding on and begging you weren’t replaceable. You shouldn’t need someone to tell you’re irreplaceable, but I think you want it a lot, particularly in fragile moments. And this song does a truly ah-mazing and compassionate portrayal of these emotions, and I’m so glad.

I really, really love this song. It has a tender spite throughout which I couldn’t be happier about 😉. It is just straight-up STUNNING. Also, the end where the last sentence is just her and no music… pleaseee! It is a great touch.

(track nine) JEALOUSY, JEALOUSY

🦋 I’m so sick of myself, rather be, rather be
Anyone, anyone else, my jealousy, jealousy 🦋

Back to the full-on spite songs now and it isn’t about a relationship, so naturally, I find it the most relatable. In particular, the lyric “Just cool vintage clothes and vacation photos”… I do love seeing vacation photos but, I’m not on vacation, so… 😭.

This song very much feels like a commentary on modern society and ‘Instagram’ culture. The constant display of ‘our best lives’ so everything looks perfect, meaning it essentially highlights all things you don’t have/aren’t. The whole ‘I’m so sick of myself’ feeling, like ‘please why I can’t I be like them, look their life is perfect’.

The song does have a comforting element about it too. It seems to highlight how everyone feels this way when looking at everyone else, even the ones you are busy romanticising. It is a reminder that you aren’t the only one who doubts yourself and to try not to compare your life to an edited version of someone else’s.

(track ten) FAVOURITE CRIME

🦋 The things I did
Just so I could call you mine 🦋

I could replay the way she says ‘honey’ soooo many times. PLEASSEEEEEE !!! 😭😍😭😍

I love the contradictory nature of this song. The title alone; favourite equals good, crime equals bad. It is all about being bad to yourself in the pursuit of love. This song is “I’m killing myself for you, but it feels good”. It is definitely toxic, but I just love the uncontrollable, destructive emotions tied to both the goodness and badness of this situation. Again this isn’t healthy, but I admire art relating to these emotions as long as it isn’t romanticised.

Let’s just appreciate some of the lyrics…
c’mon… “Know that I loved you so bad, I let you treat me like that.”
“‘Cause you know that I’d do it all again.”
“‘Cause I was going down, but I was doing it with you.”
“But I say that I hate you with a smile on my face.”
“Oh, look what we became.”
and the last line…. “‘Cause baby, you were mine” ahhhh…. the use of baby here has to be one of my highlights of this year. It kills me.

There are honestly just haunting lyrics. They mean devastation, but the description and approach make it feel like something else. Yet, you still don’t forget what they mean. And oohhh myyy gooooodnessssss. It gets me every time !!!!!!!!!

Okay, that’s it. I’m going to have to lie down.

(track eleven) HOPE UR OK

🦋 Well, I hope you know how proud I am you were created
With the courage to unlearn all of their hatred
God, I hope that you’re happier today
‘Cause I love you, and I hope that you’re OK 🦋

Honestly, this song was such a grower for me. At first, I was like, “I could take it or leave it”, but now I’m just constantly floored by the lyrics. For me, the song has a similar energy to ‘The Story’ by Conan Gray. The way it talks about the past and the general atmosphere.

Like I’ve mentioned, the lyrics are amazing. I think “I hope you know how proud I am you were created” is literally the nicest thing anyone can ever, EVER, ever say. My heart 🥺🥺

Honestly, the whole message and feel of the song is very emotional. At the end, where there’s the chatter like she has met up with them and now knows they’re okay. 😭💔😭🥺 A true masterpiece.

Obviously, this is only my opinion and I have no hate on any of these songs. I do love the album. This is just for fun really as I find it interesting. Also, my opinion changes all the time, so take the list with a pinch of salt.

So, from my least to most favourite…

11. deja vu
12. 1 step forward, 3 steps back
13. jealousy, jealousy
14. brutal
15. good 4 u
16. traitor
17. hope ur ok
18. driver’s license
19. enough for you
20. happier
21. favourite crime

Do you like the Sour album? What are your favourite songs from Sour?