SabrinaFan
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2022 & 2023 Pop Poster of the Year
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Post by SabrinaFan on Sept 7, 2023 23:50:31 GMT -5
I don't think I have been this excited about an album in a while. Literally pressed play at 12:00:00, and I listened to "Vampire" and "Bad Idea Right?" starting at 11:53 so that I could listen to the new songs faster lol. Upon first listen, I am officially in love with this album. <3 "Bad Idea Right?" is still my favorite, but "Lacy" and "Pretty Isn't Pretty" were so good and easily my faves of the tracks we hadn't heard.
Some quick reviews of each of the tracks:
All-American Bitch - definitely feeling the Avril vibes mentioned above. I think this was a really strong way to start the album!
Vampire - I was lukewarm on this on first listen, but it's grown on me in the past month or so. A really nice ballad and I like how it picks up.
Bad Idea Right? - Still my favorite on the album. I am in love with her sassy, playful energy in this one.
Lacy - For sure feeling the Lorde vibes here. This is a really nice little ballad, and the production really elevates this one for me.
Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl - As someone who can be a bit quirky and socially awkward at times, I relate to this so much lol. It's not *quite* a favorite, but I do really like it. "I can't think of a third line!" is such a good lyric haha.
Making the Bed - It's a nice little ballad, but not really anything special. I could see it growing on me later, but it's currently not a favorite.
Logical - It's fine, I guess. It's pretty but I don't find this memorable and can't see myself returning to it much. My least favorite on the album.
Get Him Back! - I love this! Yeah, the lyrics aren't the most mature, but I like how she delves into spiteful feelings we sometimes feel when somebody has done us wrong. She does a great job making it a playful exploration of these non-socially acceptable feelings too, which makes the song very appealing. I would be happy if they made this the third single once "Bad Idea Right?" has run its course (I would be sad if this somehow sabotaged "Bad Idea Right?"'s chart run so I hope they wait at least a little while)
Love Is Embarrassing - Love how catchy this is! This would also make a great single, although I think I'd prefer "Get Him Back!" if forced to choose between the two. Great track!
The Grudge - This is a really strong ballad and certainly the most passionate on the album.
Pretty Isn't Pretty - I absolutely adore this. The chill production is such a vibe and I love the overall atmosphere of the song. <3
Teenage Dream - Not my favorite ballad on the album, but still really good. I like the switch-up at the end of the song. It's not a favorite, but was a good way to conclude the album.
Current rankings: Bad Idea Right? Lacy Pretty Isn’t Pretty Vampire All-American Bitch Get Him Back! Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl Teenage Dream Love Is Embarrassing The Grudge Making the Bed Logical
Overall, this was a really strong second album. This may be a hot take and maybe I'm just saying this because I'm excited lol, but I honestly feel it's slightly better than Sour. Really strong second album and I am so happy that it seems like this second album is going to be super successful for her!
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Wavey✨️
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Positive Vibes🙏🏾❤
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Post by Wavey✨️ on Sept 7, 2023 23:58:39 GMT -5
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korbel16
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Post by korbel16 on Sept 8, 2023 0:18:28 GMT -5
she kinda gagged me a bit with the “flowers filled with vitriol” part in the grudge... i’ve never heard that word before 💀 that was a very smart lyric.
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leonagwen
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#LiteralLegender
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Post by leonagwen on Sept 8, 2023 0:37:46 GMT -5
What other past albums got a 100 metacrytic score?
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Ling-Ling
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Kill Kill Kill Kill! Die Die Die!
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Post by Ling-Ling on Sept 8, 2023 0:50:50 GMT -5
What other past albums got a 100 metacrytic score? She's not gonna stay at 100, lol. That tweet is so disingenuous. I can see her sticking in the 90's or high 80's though.
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Anticonformity
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Dancing My F*ck Off
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Post by Anticonformity on Sept 8, 2023 1:10:00 GMT -5
I'm actually very shook at this album like sour wasn't bad but damn this literally surpasses it!
Already have a top 5 of 5 stars off this one!
Oops!... she did IT
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musiclife
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Post by musiclife on Sept 8, 2023 2:17:41 GMT -5
Does anyone think this an Album Of The Year contender?
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kimberly
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Post by kimberly on Sept 8, 2023 2:34:21 GMT -5
she said "fuck the sophomore slump" and I'm so here for it. I added 9/12 songs to my library on first listen, and the other three could grow on me.
these are my five favorites out of the new songs:
ballad of a homeschooled girl get him back pretty isn't pretty all american bitch teenage dream
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musiclife
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Post by musiclife on Sept 8, 2023 2:43:19 GMT -5
My little review.
All-American Bitch - I definitely get the Avril vibes from this. I love the slow verses and the hard fast chorus. I think this is beautifully written, and is a great album opener.
Bad Idea Right? - love this since I first heard it. The chorus just hits hard and is such a fun song. Would have I released it as single 2 over 2 or 3 other songs on this album, probably not, but it works as a single.
Vampire - Another song I have loved since it was released. The verses are beautifully written and it's still a great transition from Sour to Guts. It's an ease into an album full of ballads into Guts which is very uptempo seeing as Vampire is a ballad/midtempo/uptempo in one.
Lacy - This is a cute little midtempo ballad. I think it's beautifully written. I don't know who Lacy is, but she must be important. At times Olivia's vocals sound different and very mature here.
Ballad Of A Homeschooled Girl - Reminds me of an early 2000s Paramore song. This is definitely a good fun song, and is edgy. Are the lyrics "every guy I like is gay." To Joshua Bassett?
Making The Bed - This one is okay. I have to listen to it more. I feel like it's definitely the weakest ballad on the album, but it has some nicely written lyrics.
Logical - lyrics are beautiful. I think this can grow on me after more listens.
Get Him Back! - This is a smash waiting to happen. I think this song is completely built for a stadium. The entire crowd would scream the chorus. Everyone loves a song about revenge. This definitely needs to be a single.
Love Is Embarassing - This is the best song on the album. Without a doubt a major chart topper waiting to happen. This honestly should have been the first single even if I love Vampire. This is another one that is 100% built for a stadium. The 3rd verse is basically God in a song.
The Grudge- This is the best ballad on the album, and the best vocal. This would have worked as a single had Love Is Embarrassing and Get Him Back! Were the first singles. Her vocals are great here, and the lyrics are the deepest on the album. I can see this as another stadium song if she sits down with just a piano and belts it out. Her vocals have matured so much since Sour.
Pretty Isn't Pretty - A fun midtempo rock song. I think it fits with the theme of the album perfectly, and it's a good listen. This will probably rise up more for me the more I listen.
Teenage Dream - Honest lyrics. The bridge is brilliant and makes the song. I think she got the opening and closing songs for Guts completely right. The big closure to the song really makes this special.
1. Love Is Embarassing 2. Get Him Back! 3. The Grudge 4. Bad Idea Right? 5. Vampire
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Dylan :)
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Post by Dylan :) on Sept 8, 2023 3:20:15 GMT -5
Controversial opinion but I don’t like her rock or punk songs. Her voice is so screechy. I much prefer her vocals in songs like Happier, Lacy, Vampire, Déjà Vu, Drivers License, etc
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daddy
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Post by daddy on Sept 8, 2023 3:56:18 GMT -5
This is much too Avril and not enough Lorde/Taylor for my taste. Will give it additional listens but not the direction I was hoping she’d go in (”Drivers License” is one of my all-time favorite songs).
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dbhmr
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>
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Post by dbhmr on Sept 8, 2023 4:07:38 GMT -5
I feel like every sector of the music industry is dedicated to making her as massively successful as possible and, entirely subjectively, I don’t get it at all.
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Ling-Ling
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Post by Ling-Ling on Sept 8, 2023 7:29:28 GMT -5
I feel like every sector of the music industry is dedicated to making her as massively successful as possible and, entirely subjectively, I don’t get it at all. We live in a largely starless era, the industry and critics are determined to create one come hell or high water. Which is why this perfectly nice album and charisma-less performer are getting labeled a "masterpiece" and a "rock star" (like come on, lol). Also why beyond average work like Harry's House wins AOTY while he also gets pushed as the next great hope. All that aside, after a few spins, I do like this more than her debut. Impeccably produced really. Surprised to see people say it doesn't have the highlights of Sour when it clearly has more IMO. I immediately lean towards anything uptempo/midtempo (how is "love is embarrassing" not a single yet). I still find her ballads hit and miss (mostly miss), her affected vocals and melodramatic prose border on parody. I simply can't take songs like "drivers license," "vampire," "the grudge," etc. seriously.
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Post by imbuemyblue on Sept 8, 2023 7:54:40 GMT -5
I feel like every sector of the music industry is dedicated to making her as massively successful as possible and, entirely subjectively, I don’t get it at all. We live in a largely starless era, the industry and critics are determined to create one come hell or high water. Which is why this perfectly nice album and charisma-less performer are getting labeled a "masterpiece" and a "rock star" (like come on, lol). Or conversely, they could (wait for it) actually be enjoying the music! There are often times where a major star (or entire genres of music) does not click with me, but ultimately I have to shake my head and concede that there is just something there that I don't get. For me this is just about every male music star, so this happens quite a lot hahaha. It's possible critics could have ulterior motives (I know critics of other hurting industries are pressured to prop their worlds up), but when they're pretty much unanimous it's unlikely they're all in cahoots. As for the album itself, I agree with folks who say it's not as immediately hooky as 'Sour'. I think of the first time I heard 'Traitor' and immediately couldn't continue the album and needed to spin it 2, 3, 4 times in a row, and of course the first three singles were all the same. Nothing has stuck with me quite like that, but growers often become my favorite albums. I thought the critics fawning over 'Folklore' were showing their anti-pop bias and praising a snooze fest and then it became a top five album for me. Time will tell with 'Guts', too.
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Taylor.
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Post by Taylor. on Sept 8, 2023 8:25:53 GMT -5
I loved SOUR and really like this on first listen but 100 scores are hilarious. It's not perfect. But whatever, it's nice to see her succeeding.
I do entirely subjectively feel like there's much less hype around this album than SOUR so am curious to see the streaming numbers. She's at least prepared with all physicals available on day one to offset any potential streaming dip.
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Eloqueen™
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Post by Eloqueen™ on Sept 8, 2023 8:34:50 GMT -5
I actually think the album is much stronger than the two singles suggested it would be (there were better choices on the album)! Some great stuff here! I feel like the overall momentum of this era is a lot less than her debut, but I still think she will have a big opening week.
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Ling-Ling
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Post by Ling-Ling on Sept 8, 2023 8:37:06 GMT -5
Or conversely, they could (wait for it) actually be enjoying the music! There are often times where a major star (or entire genres of music) does not click with me, but ultimately I have to shake my head and concede that there is just something there that I don't get. For me this is just about every male music star, so this happens quite a lot hahaha. It's possible critics could have ulterior motives (I know critics of other hurting industries are pressured to prop their worlds up), but when they're pretty much unanimous it's unlikely they're all in cahoots. I probably worded that poorly. I don't believe they're in cahoots and I'm not saying they don't enjoy the music. I enjoy quite a bit of the music here. I'm just saying critics sometimes get swept up in who's seen as "the moment" and these reviews are beyond over-the-top and hyperbolic. Olivia is a basic modern day pop star making straight-forward/unchallenging pop music, there isn't anything here I don't "get." Even albums quickly labeled modern day masterpieces by critics like Melodrama, Norman F**king Rockwell, What's Your Pleasure?, etc. didn't get this amount of grace out of the box. It's a tad lopsided/bizarre IMO.
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Taylor.
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Post by Taylor. on Sept 8, 2023 10:40:45 GMT -5
She announced a deluxe edition with four extra tracks today. Haven't seen where or when it will be for sale, though? Unless they're streaming only. A different bonus track is on each of the 4 vinyl variants. She might not like Taylor anymore but she still learned from her!
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AP
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Post by AP on Sept 8, 2023 10:41:28 GMT -5
Even albums quickly labeled modern day masterpieces by critics like Melodrama, Norman F**king Rockwell, What's Your Pleasure?, etc. didn't get this amount of grace out of the box. It's a tad lopsided/bizarre IMO. I mean, it got 5 star reviews from 3 publications that hand out 5 star reviews like candy...the other 3 reviews are largely positive, but more justified. The 98 on metacritic is misleading (I'm not even sure how that was calculated - it should be 92) as there are only 6 reviews logged at this time. It'll probably settle around 85, a smidge higher than Sour. The same thing happens with Taylor's albums - publicists know which publications are more likely to give a glowing review so they send them advance copies and push them to publish right at midnight, giving an inflated sense of acclaim the day of release. The more reasonable reviews come in the days following. In all, mainstream music journalism is in the absolute shitter at the moment. The large majority of albums that are even bothered to be reviewed by publications score at least a 70 or higher - unlike film/tv, it's pretty rare for an album to be in the "yellow" on Metacritic and there are typically less than 5 albums a year that end up in the "red."
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Soundcl🕤ck
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Post by Soundcl🕤ck on Sept 8, 2023 10:56:35 GMT -5
I do entirely subjectively feel like there's much less hype around this album than SOUR so am curious to see the streaming numbers. She's at least prepared with all physicals available on day one to offset any potential streaming dip. DL was the breakthrough moment and it was important for her, but I feel like g4u really sold the album and did wonders for her career. Maybe I'm wrong, but after deja vu, the interest in her music quite dropped, so I don't really remember the HYPE before SOUR, and then g4u smashed and changed everything. I'm happy with the GUTS singles so far, but not so much with the timing of their release. IMO: vampire in April, bad idea right? July and then something a week or two before the album, basically what she did with SOUR singles.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2023 11:29:46 GMT -5
love is embarrassing is such a bop
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SHOOTER
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3x Poster Of The Year!!!
Typical of those in power to stay worried about the *wrong* shit.
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Post by SHOOTER on Sept 8, 2023 11:34:55 GMT -5
all-american bitch bad idea right? vampire lacy ballad of a homeschooled girl get him back! love is embarrassing pretty isn't pretty
An improvement upon her debut for me personally. I hope she leans harder into pop-punk as she gets older because that's where she really shines.
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HEADOFTHEPACK
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Post by HEADOFTHEPACK on Sept 8, 2023 11:35:26 GMT -5
I'm listening and it's sounding decent enough but the critical reaction is completely unhinged.
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Soundcl🕤ck
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Post by Soundcl🕤ck on Sept 8, 2023 11:54:14 GMT -5
I'm listening and it's sounding decent enough but the critical reaction is completely unhinged. my thought for almost every album in the last 5 years, they all have 90/100 scores.
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Choco
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lavender haze
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Post by Choco on Sept 8, 2023 13:49:56 GMT -5
I've yet to meet someone outside of Twitter that actually cares about a Metacritic score.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Sept 8, 2023 14:33:01 GMT -5
She announced a deluxe edition with four extra tracks today. Haven't seen where or when it will be for sale, though? Unless they're streaming only. A different bonus track is on each of the 4 vinyl variants. She might not like Taylor anymore but she still learned from her! I'm guessing this is only for the variants from her website, but I'll find out when my Amazon exclusive Hot Pink variant arrives today.
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Normi
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Post by Normi on Sept 8, 2023 15:27:31 GMT -5
After the first listen, this is really really good, some instant gold on here imo
bad idea right? ballad of a homeschooled girl making the bed get him back! love is embarassing (best song here) pretty isn't pretty
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Post by Mayman on Sept 8, 2023 15:56:51 GMT -5
I haven't been as hyped for this album as I was for SOUR, but I was still looking forward to checking this album. I've listened twice and I think the album is definitely an improvement over her debut. This is her sound and she does it really well, so those people in the Vampire thread who were hounding her over not being original can relax lol.
My favorites right now are: bad idea right? vampire lacy ballad of a homeschooled girl making the bed get him back! love is embarassing teenage dream
Everything here is at the very least good so I think this album will be in my rotation for a while.
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J'back
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Post by J'back on Sept 8, 2023 16:36:38 GMT -5
I also love this. The Grudge is beautiful, honestly no skips for me from the whole album.
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daddy
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Post by daddy on Sept 8, 2023 17:43:11 GMT -5
Okay okay I’ve been listening all day and I kind of love it now 💀
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