Olivia Rodrigo Deep Study — Side A: All 7 Songs (Full Uncut Reaction)

This was such a great listen and analysis! This album really struck me when I first listened to it - such talent and heart. Now listen to side B please!!!

Olivia's fans are called 'Livies' Hello Tim, I leveled up to listen to this as I feel a bit of responsibility for the mainstream music faction here. An island in a sea of J&K Pop, Anime, and Vtube fun. :) I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the first half of the album, and you are 100% on mark in assuming it's a concept album in the old school way that tells a linear story through all the songs in order. In this case the arc of what was, and she considered her first serious adult relationship. It's also good to remember that Olivia is just 23 for perspective, and a bit of amazement at how good she is also. The first thing of major note is that the album was produced by Dan Nigro, as were Olivia's two older albums. They have an incredibly deep relationship which Olivia has described as feeling like 'Family' which is a pretty serious statement. It implies there is a bond, that while not blood, is just as deep. Chappell has made similar comments about Dan also in the past. I feel it's worth taking a moment to tip a hat to the man. He's not only a spectacular producer on the technical level, but he's also a true supportive creative partner with the Artists he works with. Olivia mentioned that he often challenged her to write things that were out of her wheel house that became tracks here, and that many of the pieces were developed in direct collaboration together. He even sings on one of the tracks on the second half too. :) But Dan is someone whom I've very much come to deeply respect in the industry, and the artists he works with tend to stay with him long term. He's one of the good guys in what can be an ugly industry. So the album has a lot of Dan's signature style on it. The stacked harmonies, the use of strings, the idiosyncratic melody and beat changes he introduces. You mentioned more then once that you heard some echoes of Chappell in the songs, and it's a very right observation. Olivia and Chappell are close friends and do borrow from each other in small ways, but more so, Dan links them directly in his production. He borrows from himself, and reinvents. He started to use strings heavily with Chappell, and her with Olivia they are all over the album. So you'll see common themes. Now some notes on the songs that you looked at here. Drop Dead) The video was filmed in the Palace of Versailles. They 'rented' it for an entire evening after close. Yah. that's a statement. It, to me is a beautiful hopeful song, that was the lead single off the album, and it injected a much needed feeling of positivity into the radio soundscape we've been having of late. It's doing exceptionally well on radio, and it's launch provided Olivia with the record of being the only artist to ever #1 the first song released off each of her three albums. No small feat. The video is shot in an odd aspect that matches that which was used by old video cameras that recorded onto VCR tapes, and there is a lack of the deep clarity modern videos hold in it lending to a vintage feel for the clip. You may also note that Olivia is wearing a pair of very old school walkman headphones in the clip. The sort of headphones that you have not been able to buy since the 90's. :) Small details. Which ties to a different point. All of the lyric videos for the album were released on drop day, and all are made by artists utilizing no AI. They are all hand drawn/stop motion animated etc. All by hand. She had I believe 4 different artists split them up and create them. It's a touch of her thinking that artists should support other artists who create Art with their own hands and skill. Back to songs. Stupid Song) The third single from the album released on the same day when the album was. It has a formal view also that is amusing, and in part of it Olivia wears a Blondie T-shirt as she sings. In another she is playing a piano in a bodega and is surrounded by cats. (Chappell is probably jealous) This piece is massively popular with her fans, and it's amazingly designed and executed as you noted. It's rising chorus is infectious and it has some subtle call outs to other pieces on the album (My Heart of Wax melting in the sun) (a thread on your shirt is unraveled) that set up moments further along. It's so strong and radio friendly that at some point I'm sure it will be served to radio and carry the albums water for a season or two. I agree with all you said about it 100% It's part of the giddy start of love phase, and it expresses it perfectly. Honeybee) Fans are calling this the most romantic song she has ever written, and many people are planning or starting to use it in their weddings. An interesting side note to that, every time someone posts a wedding video on social media with Honeybee in it, Olivia herself seems to find it and reply. She seems to be especially touched that people want to use her work on their wedding days. One note of import. Conan Grey is providing Backing vocals on this track. Conan is another of Dan's artists, and like Chappell did on Olivia's second album, he helped her out here. He and Olivia are best friends and it's a nice touch on this song. Oh and for your Pride Month stuff Conan is an excellent choice to explore. He's out and his music reflects it. Very near the start of Honeybee you can hear the sound of a Cricket chirping. Most people assume it's there as part of the 'natural ambiance' of the love song. It's not. It was a rogue cricket that took up residence in Dan's studio and in his words "Ruined dozens of vocal takes" In this case they felt it sounded right and left it in the track. The fate of the cricket is unknown. I think this song has the longest string instrumental section in any modern piece of music in the last decade or two. It's beautiful and sets up the mood perfectly. Dan has a person who is a specialist in string arrangements who has a deep classical background that he employed for this work and others on the album that use strings. (The Cure will show you this when you get to it) It's the sort of production choice that really goes the extra miles. Dan has been reintroducing the use of classic strings to modern music almost single handedly. I very much approve. I can only hope that some day he turns that eye to brass also. :) I've little to add to your comments. It's just a beautiful fragile piece that works. Maggots for Brains) One of my favorite tracks on the album, mostly due to the fact that it's almost a pure 80's piece that the Bangles, Go-Go's and others could have sung then, and it would have fit in perfectly, and I like to think that this is Olivia's homage to those performers of that time in a way. The song is infectious with its hook, and driving progression. A lot of fans have noted how relatable it is to their own feelings when in relationships. As you said Olivia's strength is being able to tap into and express very real things she and her fans feel. I especially like the production on it. u + me = <3 ) Not many people single this one out as a favorite, but it's important in the albums story development. It represents all the hope and dreams one has right as a relationship starts to solidify up and start. All the moments are special and hold meaning, everything feels sharp and bright and so good. So much so that emotion overtakes thought "They say that everyone's changes but I like to think we won't" It perfectly represents that moment in a couples life. The future is unknown but so very hoped for. My Way) This song is the first sign of trouble in paradise. And it subtly pick sup on two qualities that Olivia has expressed about herself in her past albums. The first that she has a jealous nature, and the second that she is insecure. Neither is explicitly stated here, but this song shows that Olivia the song writer has an awareness that her faults were present in her and contributed to the trajectory of the relationship. It helps sets up the next phase of the album. Taken out of context it's a powerful "Back off" song and carries a lot of elements of Avril Lavigne's early sound in it, a bit of Gwen from No Doubt also. It's in your face and very satisfying unto itself as a song, and matches many of Olivia's earlier hits in tonality and feel. Purple) The song uses the phrase "Melt with you" in it many times, and I feel that is a subtle call back to the 80's piece by Modern English "Melt with you". That they were a UK group adds an extra splash of sauce given her partner whom this albums arc details. Purple is also the 'color' that both of Olivia's early albums used as their 'theme' So the song calls back to that subtly also. Perhaps indicating that In turning purple she was falling back into her older outlooks and views. "Our Two lines became a circle" is interesting lyrically, as it sort of says two independent paths became a circle that chased each other round and around going no where, a form of co-dependency. It is indeed the hinge of the album. It still sounds happy and positive in general tone, but there are some dark threads woven in. I very much enjoyed the review, and if you don't do the rest of the album you'll be doing yourself a disservice Tim. If you can make room for two dozen anime films you can fit this :) To other Olivia fans that see this here or on the discord, please feel free to comment more, debate me, or just share thoughts. The more active this is the more apt Tim will do more. So rally about my mainstream, flag. :D