Olivia Rodrigo. The Disney kid who’s hit it big. It’s not the first time. And it won’t be the last. But here’s why you should pay attention.
A Note to the Grumpy
Naysayers come in all shapes and sizes.
There are the ones who can’t stand anything popular. (Note: There’s a reason that indie band hasn’t made it yet—they stink.)
Then there are the ones with the high-brow tastes who hang out at the underrated cure for insomnia known as the orchestra.
And, of course, there are those who are just a little, let’s say, grumpy. “They don’t make music like they used to,” is a common refrain, which as you know is code for, “I’m aging and my take on music suggests my brain might be shrinking.”
It’s this last group that should give Olivia Rodrigo a try, as it’s possible the young artist might actually be…good?!
Olivia Rodrigo
Born in 2003 in Southern California, Rodrigo climbed the Disney ranks with ease, first on Bizaardvark and then on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. The only child of a family with Filipino heritage (paternal side), the fact that she was born partially deaf in her left ear was of little consequence, and her first record deal came quickly.
She released her debut single “Drivers License” in 2021, and from there, it could be said that a touch of success has followed:
- The 2022 Grammy for Best New Artist
- Two critically-acclaimed studio albums
- Full-blown celebrity status, with a fan base known as Livies
- An unofficial role as spokesperson for Generation Z
But here’s where the stereotypical box might start to break down. Sure, studio tricks and image editing are part of the equation, but so is something critical in regards to sticking around for a while—depth.
Rodrigo writes her own music (often in partnership with producer Dan Nigro), drawing from a veritable potpourri of sound—pop, yes, but also punk and alt-rock with a dash of folk mixed in. Read enough about her, and a diverse array of influences becomes apparent.
- The not-too-surprising: Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Lorde, Cardi B, Fiona Apple, Alanis Morissette, and Avril Lavigne
- The maybe-more-surprising: Coldplay, Paramore, Babes in Toyland, St. Vincent, Pearl Jam, The White Stripes, Green Day, and Rage Against the Machine
- The old-school: Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Pat Benatar, and Elvis Costello
It’s all there, so much so that retroactive songwriting credits have had to be provided in a couple cases of sonic overlap.
Those hiccups aside, the finished product is worth more than a cursory listen…
The Music
Be warned that Rodrigo’s work is known for its edgy vibe, peppered with strategically placed expletives. And, as expected, the lyrics are typically focused on what any standard post-adolescent would be focused on.
“Brutal”
The opener from the first album, Sour, is a rebuttal to all those who’ve declared the death of rock. Fine, it’s a pop track, but the electric guitar, drums, and discontent are a welcome shout out to grunge.
“Good 4 U”
Speaking of rock, this punk rock jam from the same album will have you hearing Green Day all over again.
“Drivers License”
Also from Sour, the piano ballad that introduced Rodrigo to the world is a showcase of her vocals. Kick drums and profanity are thrown in for good measure.
“All-American Bitch”
Don’t be fooled by the folk-like start to the opening song on Rodrigo’s second album, Guts. Before long, you’ll think you’re at a Blink-182 concert.
“Lacy”
And finally, while not exactly Dylan, Mitchell, or Young, the fourth track from Guts is a worthy addition to the folk-pop tradition.
Not feeling it?
Try Duran Duran.
