After creating deeply impactful breakup songs, Olivia Rodrigo has turned her attention to the euphoria of new love. Her first two albums, Sour (2021) and Guts (2023), displayed her talent in portraying Gen Z romantic experiences. Songs like “Drivers License” captured the sting of betrayal, while “Good 4 U” expressed the frustration of seeing an ex move on. “Get Him Back!” showcased her knack for witty lyrics.
In her third LP, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, Rodrigo, now 23, explores emotions associated with falling in love. She opens the album with “Drop Dead,” likening a guy in a bar line to an “angel on the walls of Versailles.” This sets the emotional tone of the album. “Stupid Song” features metaphors like a car without a brake and a heart made of melting wax, eventually leading to more vivid expressions: “You should feel how I feel when somebody says your name.”
“Maggots for Brains” explores her vulnerability when her partner leaves, a bold title given her Disney roots just a few years ago. The song “U + Me = <3” stands out as a commitment anthem. It evokes imagery of young lovers and playful attempts to win over a boyfriend's older sibling, ending with poetic lines that dismiss modern love's challenges.
Collaborating with Dan Nigro, her producer, Rodrigo broadens her musical style in this album. You Seem Pretty Sad includes folk-rock, new wave, and even a piano ballad titled “Less.” The album traces the progression of a relationship. As the narrative unfolds, it delves back into heartbreak, offering new insights into the actions of people in love.
“The Cure” acknowledges that a relationship can’t mend personal issues, reminiscent of Smashing Pumpkins’ “Disarm.” “Begged” addresses the limits of tolerance in love. These songs cast the initially joyous tracks in a new light, hinting at the inevitable challenges of love.
Robert Smith of The Cure influences this album, notably in “The Cure” and “Drop Dead,” where Rodrigo nods to “Just Like Heaven.” Smith joins Rodrigo in “What’s Wrong With Me,” a duet about accepting the inherent risks of love. They convey the dizzying, sickly feeling of love as something they wouldn’t trade.
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