Olivia Rodrigo’s genre shift will likely influence teen pop in the future.
Rodrigo made her musical debut in 2021 with her album Sour. But many people knew her before this, as she began her career as an actress. Rodrigo is in popular Disney shows such as Bizaardvark and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. She also stars in an American Girl Doll movie.
She wrote her first album, Sour, at only 17 years old. The album quickly became extremely popular among teens, especially the song “Driver’s License.”
Sour is mainly written about Rodrigo’s previous relationship with fellow celebrity Joshua Bassett. After releasing the album, she generated a lot of controversy for calling out Bassett’s quick entrance into another relationship with pop star Sabrina Carpenter.
Regardless of the backstory, Sour is a remarkable debut album, and set the stage for Rodrigo’s rise to fame.
But when Rodrigo released Guts in 2023, the album had an entirely different vibe. It completely redefined her genre, with angrier, more alternative tracks.
While this switch came as a shock to many fans, Rodrigo executed it perfectly. Guts is a relatable teen album, with songs expressing a range of emotions. Her broad range is what makes Rodrigo such a talented musician.
Rodrigo’s songs, music videos, and outfits all showcase her new personality as an artist. She is currently on the Guts World Tour, and this concert also displays a change.
The concert features energetic choreography and exciting performances. Rodrigo plays her entire discography during the show, which means it is an amazing concert for any kind of fan.
Rodrigo’s spectacular stage presence and conversational style create a friendly atmosphere during the concert. This makes for an even better experience.
Overall, Olivia Rodrigo has grown spectacularly as an artist and will likely continue to do so. Her music shows that artists can explore new styles without sacrificing quality, which will most likely lead other artists to do the same.
At the very least, her range of genres is forging a path for other young artists to express their thoughts in many diverse ways.
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Rodrigo proves artists can change their sound
Josephine Wysocki, Staff Writer
April 2, 2024
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Josephine Wysocki, News Editor
News Editor Josephine Wysocki is a junior and a second-year Purbalite member. She can be found reading or listening to music.