Sour is great. That’s the short version of this review. The general consensus amongst my music friends is that it is a powerful debut record that launches Olivia Rodrigo as the new face of pop in for Generation Z, the singer and actress whose debut single Drivers License went straight to the top of the Billboard charts in January and stayed for two months.
It’s a brilliant pop statement with each and every song being easy smash hit singles on their own merit. This is clearly the result of great executed lyricism, which is likely to be rewarded as best pop album of 2021 – you heard it here first.

Each track embraces influences while not becoming filler to create a modern teen angst album for the ages. Its subject matter centers on adolescence, failed romance and heartache. In this album you get an acoustic mixed electronic flow, combining a Taylor swift song structure with the tranquil refrains of Lorde peppered with whisper vocals of Billie Eilish with the delivery of Avril Lavigne; she is the embodiment of the best of classic old fashioned Pop. You get the sound of early to mid 1990s rock blended with an acoustic balladry which just speaks to it’s own self awareness. With influence however, she isn’t the ‘next’ anyone, but instead, has created a new identity in music. No compromises and brusquely her own style.

Whether Rodrigo’s songs concern characters real or imagined, the album finds her skilfully shifting perspectives amid emotional tumult as she searches to find a comfortable version of herself. The album was recorded in isolation during the COVID-19 lockdowns, with its production handled by Dan Nigro, who also co-wrote the album alongside Rodrigo. Originally planned as a debut EP, Sour was upgraded to a full-length album after the viral success of Rodrigo’s debut single, Drivers License.

She said the album explores her perils and discoveries as an 18 year-old, with its title referring to the “sour” emotions young women experience but are often criticised for, such as anger, jealousy and unhappiness.

Three singles preceded Sour’s release, all of which reached the top 3 of the US Billboard Hot 100 and remain in the top 100 globally.