Au$tin
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Post by Au$tin on May 26, 2021 2:45:46 GMT -5
Finally got around to listening to this. It's a solid debut album, but I'm not infatuated with it like others (and critics) seem to be. I'm also torn on the criticism of her not having an identity. On one end of the spectrum, I definitely think she has a sound: soft rock/adult contemporary, easily. Nothing on the album strays from those two other than "brutal" and "good 4 u," both alt/pop, which isn't much of a departure from the rest of the album so it's not like they majorly stick out or anything. On the other hand, I do kind of get the criticism from an image perspective. Some tracks sound like Taylor Swift, some like Lorde, some like Hayley Williams, but none seem to shout "hey, this is Olivia Rodrigo." Personally, I'm not concerned about that. She's definitely cemented her sound well enough on this album that I definitely see her image fully forming rather quickly in the years to come. She's also only 16, so much like I wouldn't expect a 16-year-old to have their personality fully formed, I don't expect a 16-year-old musician to have their image to be fully cemented yet either. Not every 16-year-old musician can be a Lorde and have a well defined image knocked out of the park. She'll get there.
I also see some criticisms on her vocals being samey throughout the album. I don't think that's really a problem either. The problem is that the music itself is pretty samey. The small vocal range could be easily forgivable if the songs didn't blend together at spots and become hard to distinguish. But, again, I definitely see that being something she can easily work on in the future. A safe debut is perfectly acceptable at this time. Leave the heavy experimenting for the second or third album. I mean, there are already signs that she may want to venture into pop/punk with "good 4 u" and "brutal" just all around existing.
Honestly, I saved more tracks from this album than I expected to. The ones I didn't save: 1 step forward, 3 steps back - Dull. I was never big on Taylor's "New Year's Day" much to begin with, but Olivia made it that much more boring. deja vu - The melody has grown on me, but I still can't get past her weird vocals in the chorus. enough for you & hope ur ok - Honestly, it's been a day since I listened to this album and I've already forgotten how these sound. That's probably not good.
But the rest I saved. "good 4 u" is easily the best song on the album, but of the new tracks, "brutal" is a huge standout along with "jealousy, jealousy." "favorite crime" sounds like it's going to be a huge grower as well. "traitor" and "happier" are cute Lorde/Taylor-esque songs that make for solid album tracks. And somehow "drivers license" continues to slowly grow on me. So I'm here for this album in general, here for Olivia, and am rooting for her continued to success and growth as an artist. I find her rather intriguing and promising in the talent aspect, especially songwriting wise. I'm hoping she goes down a more alt route, following the sound of "brutal" and "good 4 u," but maybe add in a bit more Alanis influence or something to help separate her from Paramore/Hayley Williams and grow her image more.
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SoMuchToSay
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Post by SoMuchToSay on May 26, 2021 4:38:24 GMT -5
Ok, it took me a bit but I’m fully onboard with Olivia now. There are so many hits on this album. Traitor is by far my fav - future #1in the making! Happier is also a jam! All of the singles are standouts too (good 4 U finally grew on me).
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Eqbk
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Post by Eqbk on May 26, 2021 15:20:00 GMT -5
Solid debut album. The criticisms regarding it being repetitive in subject matter and a bit of a drag are valid but those problems weren't as bad as the previews had led me to believe. Deciding to add Brutal and Good 4 U in the late stages of the album was a good choice. Those tracks along with Jealousy, Jealously were upbeat enough and spaced enough between the other tracks to keep the album from dragging too much. Not that the slower tracks were bad, but the more upbeat tracks definitely helped the listening experience. As far as the next single, imo, it should be Jealousy, Jealously. It's one of the more upbeat tracks and offers a change of pace in terms of subject matter. It's different enough from the other singles she has released to perhaps grab the attention of people who aren't necessarily paying much attention to her now. I almost hope they have a deluxe version planned to release in the Summer with an uptempo smash. She’s really smart and has studied Taylor’s promo strategies really well, so I’m hoping she follows suit. I think happier or traitor would make great Fall songs as well. Summer seems a little too soon since the Sour vinyls won't be released until late August. That said, she could release a companion piece to Sour later if the album ends up doing well. She could do what a lot of other artists do and release an EP (title it Bitter or something like that), as well as a deluxe edition with the original album tracks + EP tracks. And yes, it should to be lead with an uptempo smash and the she needs add enough uptempo tracks to prevent it from dragging.
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Post by ificanthaveyou on May 26, 2021 16:37:33 GMT -5
I almost hope they have a deluxe version planned to release in the Summer with an uptempo smash. She’s really smart and has studied Taylor’s promo strategies really well, so I’m hoping she follows suit. I think happier or traitor would make great Fall songs as well. Summer seems a little too soon since the Sour vinyls won't be released until late August. That said, she could release a companion piece to Sour later if the album ends up doing well. She could do what a lot of other artists do and release an EP (title it Bitter or something like that), as well as a deluxe edition with the original album tracks + EP tracks. And yes, it should to be lead with an uptempo smash and the she needs add enough uptempo tracks to prevent it from dragging. OMG are you onto something? Is she going to release an EP/Album right after this titled “Sweet”, like Sour + Sweet?! And the Sweet EP will have upbeat songs about the positive side of love and friendships... that would be pretty awesome!
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Post by ificanthaveyou on May 26, 2021 16:42:24 GMT -5
So as I have this album on repeat this week, I’m getting hints of some of my favorite pop albums of the last decade. I know Lorde and Paramore and Taylor have already been mentioned, but I’m also getting:
Happier - Ed Sheeran (Divide) Traitor - Katy Perry (OOTB) Enough For You - Kesha (Rainbow)
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Post by Mayman on May 26, 2021 17:12:55 GMT -5
I would rather her not do a deluxe edition or EP. I think there's no need for that when this album is already so successful. Whenever she releases new music, it should be for her second album imo.
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Eqbk
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Post by Eqbk on May 26, 2021 18:38:49 GMT -5
Regardless of whether she decides to release a deluxe, ep, or saves the material for a 2nd album, I kind of do like the idea of a "Sweet" concept for her next project. She did say that she had happy material ready to put on the album but chose not to. She could even do another partnership with Sour Patch Kids. After all, one of their slogans is: "First they're sour, then they're sweet".
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on May 26, 2021 21:08:06 GMT -5
She's also only 16, so much like I wouldn't expect a 16-year-old to have their personality fully formed, I don't expect a 16-year-old musician to have their image to be fully cemented yet either. Not every 16-year-old musician can be a Lorde and have a well defined image knocked out of the park. She'll get there. Saying she's 16 four times in one post won't make her stop being 18. Also, you cite Brutal as a highlight, but you must not have paid much attention to the lyrics, i.e. the whole "I'm so sick of 17..." part. Don't do your fave dirty like that! For the record, while Brutal and Good 4 U are serviceable, they are not her strong suit. As for the comparisons, does Olivia take vocal stylings and production techniques from Taylor and Lorde? Clearly. That said, she is a better vocalist than both and a stellar songwriter off the bat, so I am fully invested from day 1. This album gets better and better for me. I totally slept on Favorite Crime
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Post by ificanthaveyou on May 26, 2021 21:16:14 GMT -5
She's also only 16, so much like I wouldn't expect a 16-year-old to have their personality fully formed, I don't expect a 16-year-old musician to have their image to be fully cemented yet either. Not every 16-year-old musician can be a Lorde and have a well defined image knocked out of the park. She'll get there. Saying she's 16 four times in one post won't make her stop being 18. Also, you cite Brutal as a highlight, but you must not have paid much attention to the lyrics, i.e. the whole "I'm so sick of 17..." part. Don't do your fave dirty like that! For the record, while Brutal and Good 4 U are serviceable, they are not her strong suit. As for the comparisons, does Olivia take vocal stylings and production techniques from Taylor and Lorde? Clearly. That said, she is a better vocalist than both and a stellar songwriter off the bat, so I am fully invested from day 1. This album gets better and better for me. I totally slept on Favorite Crime Favorite Crime is the sleeper that gets stuck in your head. I wish she would have given us a few more belts of “your favorite crime” at the end of the song, since it ends so abruptly.
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Au$tin
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Post by Au$tin on May 26, 2021 22:43:32 GMT -5
She's also only 16, so much like I wouldn't expect a 16-year-old to have their personality fully formed, I don't expect a 16-year-old musician to have their image to be fully cemented yet either. Not every 16-year-old musician can be a Lorde and have a well defined image knocked out of the park. She'll get there. Saying she's 16 four times in one post won't make her stop being 18. Also, you cite Brutal as a highlight, but you must not have paid much attention to the lyrics, i.e. the whole "I'm so sick of 17..." part. Don't do your fave dirty like that! This whole time I thought she was 16 holy shit. 😭 I mean she does have an entire song where she repeatedly talks about getting her driver's license so... Gonna have to wildly disagree with ya here. Those are the 2 best songs hands down.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on May 26, 2021 22:51:07 GMT -5
I love Brutal as an album opener, but...riot grrl 90s groups did it better and pop-rock has been played out for over a decade. The songs work but mainly because of Olivia and her songwriting.
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Anticonformity
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Post by Anticonformity on May 27, 2021 0:47:29 GMT -5
My top 5 after about a week:
1. good 4 u 2. brutal 3. hope ur ok 4. traitor / jealousy, jealousy 5. drivers license
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on May 27, 2021 10:19:19 GMT -5
1. Deja Vu (literally OBSESSED. Maybe my song of the year) 2. Driver's License 3. Happier 4. Traitor 5. Favorite Crime 6. Enough For You 7. Good For You 8. Brutal 9. Jealousy, Jealousy 10. 1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back 11. Hope Ur OK
But, I reiterate, there is not a single dud on this album.
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Choco
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Post by Choco on May 27, 2021 10:31:19 GMT -5
A deluxe in a month or two with a new single is such a no-brainer. I don't like the trend but... it works.
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Post by Devil Marlena Nylund on May 27, 2021 10:47:10 GMT -5
Listening to the album a few times so far, I think Déjà vu has become that much stronger for me! I have to give another listen or two before deciding a final opinion but I don’t think the abundance of slower songs works against her the way it might with other artists. I wonder if her starting off with a ballad as the first single helped? Someone said earlier on in here I think that the second half of the album weighs down a bit, and I can see that - but I’m sure I’ll change my mind on that with more familiarity.
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Post by neverduplicated on May 27, 2021 10:53:47 GMT -5
I think this album is really solid. All the songs have replay value, which is why they're all smashing right now. "Deja Vu" remains my favorite and has caused me to listen to Taylor's "Cruel Summer" a lot recently because the ending is heavily influenced by that song and "Deja Vu" flows into it really nicely. My other favorites are Good For You, Jealousy, Jealousy, and I Hope Your Ok. Brutal is also a banger and such a great way to start the album.
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kimberly
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Post by kimberly on May 27, 2021 19:13:18 GMT -5
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Post by Mayman on May 27, 2021 19:30:24 GMT -5
I got the Target exclusive CD on the day of release, because that cover is way better than the standard imo. My CD I pre-ordered off her website a while back should arrive here tomorrow. I also pre-ordered the clear vinyl off her website a while back too. I will probably stick with that and get the Target exclusive version of it too when it's released.
Still loving this album. Everything has grown on me a lot, even songs I didn't expect to care much for like "1 step forward, 3 steps back" and "hope ur ok". This is such a nice, cohesive listen and I love it!
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Soundcl🕤ck
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Post by Soundcl🕤ck on May 28, 2021 6:44:35 GMT -5
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Future Captain
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Post by Future Captain on May 28, 2021 11:11:16 GMT -5
Gave the album a listen and it's what I expected someone her age to make, and I say that in the most loving way possible because wow, the songs did have vibes and feelings that brings me back to 17. I'm not surprised at all by her massive success, tbh. Her music, while definitely aimed at Gen Z audience, have a feeling of sincerity that I think help to create a nostalgic picture for older audiences
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CatSoul
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Post by CatSoul on May 28, 2021 11:55:28 GMT -5
"And I'm so sick of seventeen, where's my fucking teenage dream?" would be a legendary AIM "away" message
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Soundcl🕤ck
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Post by Soundcl🕤ck on May 28, 2021 12:07:57 GMT -5
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kimberly
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Post by kimberly on May 28, 2021 12:14:56 GMT -5
she scores 3 simultaneous top 10’s in the UK. (for those who aren’t familiar, UK charts allow up to 3 songs from one album to chart at once. which means, yes, “drivers license” got the boot this week.)
#1 good 4 u (new peak) #4 deja vu (new peak) #7 traitor (debut)
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Wavey✨️
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Post by Wavey✨️ on May 28, 2021 16:13:27 GMT -5
Is she serving "DL" the whole time on this album, besides the singles? Cause you know me and ballads...
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kimberly
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Post by kimberly on May 28, 2021 16:24:37 GMT -5
Is she serving "DL" the whole time on this album, besides the singles? Cause you know me and ballads... the two songs you should check out are "brutal" and "jealousy, jealousy" then. those are the bops. honestly even the slower songs like "enough for you" and "traitor" are somewhat catchy, I'd say, but if you're not too into "drivers license" then a large chunk of the album might be too slow for you.
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irvine22
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Post by irvine22 on May 28, 2021 16:43:49 GMT -5
What a FANTASTIC album!!! I hate to bring her age up but it is a bit necessary. Certain lyrics/parts here and there are juvenile but in a way that’s universal- as opposed to immature.
She has such a way of effectively delivering such oddball melodies (1 step..) that’s pretty impressive. Kelly Clarksons songwriting comes to mind when I say that- but Olivia aces it. Her and Dan Nigro (?) really have something. Brava!
There’s not a track I don’t like tbh. Someone mentioned a lot of songs have similarities to other recent artists and I totally hear that esp with Happier (Ed, Taylor, Lorde, Billie on ther tracks) it is a bit distracting so while I am super excited for her career, the next project MUST bolster more of an individual identity.
#EndRant
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Post by Fears in the Fire on May 28, 2021 18:24:26 GMT -5
Is she serving "DL" the whole time on this album, besides the singles? Cause you know me and ballads... the two songs you should check out are "brutal" and "jealousy, jealousy" then. those are the bops. honestly even the slower songs like "enough for you" and "traitor" are somewhat catchy, I'd say, but if you're not too into "drivers license" then a large chunk of the album might be too slow for you. I hate drivers license and these are my two favorite songs on the album. Conversely, the two people I’ve talked about the album with both think those are the worst two (one of them even hates g4u) and love the slow ones. Anyway, jealousy jealousy and brutal are what I’d suggest too, love them but yeah the album is a bit slow for me
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Koochie
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Post by Koochie on May 28, 2021 18:52:41 GMT -5
This one's a snoozer for me but it's nice to see some new blood taking off in a big way. She's obviously got the talent and seems's charismatic enough to pull and hold focus, and she definitely has a niche. I'll set up camp and come out when she inevitably hits up Max Martin.
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kimberly
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Post by kimberly on May 28, 2021 21:47:20 GMT -5
SOUR album bombs on the Anglosphere singles charts so far:
United Kingdom #1 "good 4 u" #4 "deja vu" #7 "traitor" (the UK allows up to 3 songs per album as I've mentioned earlier.)
Ireland #1 "good 4 u" #2 "deja vu" #3 "traitor" (Ireland allows up to 3 songs per album as well.)
Australia #1 "good 4 u" #3 "deja vu" #5 "drivers license" #7 "traitor" #12 "brutal" #14 "enough for you" #15 "happier" #18 "1 step forward, 3 steps back" #22 "jealousy, jealousy" #23 "hope ur ok" ("favorite crime" is absent—I'm guessing their rule is 10 songs per artist/album.)
New Zealand #1 "good 4 u" #3 "deja vu" #5 "traitor" #7 "drivers license" #8 "brutal" (NZ allows only 2 new entries from the album if there already were 2 or more singles charting in the Top 40; Olivia had 3.)
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spiritboy
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Post by spiritboy on May 29, 2021 10:35:57 GMT -5
This album is not my cup of tea but i'm very happy for her, maybe i'll love her future albums.
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