u/seul_chalet

I've been trying to figure out why Olivia Rodrigo's music doesn't really click with me, because I'm usually a fan of mainstream pop.

My biggest issue is that her lyricism, especially on her ballads, is kind of weak. Of course, the selling point of YSPSFAGSIL is the overall narrative, but even the songs hyped up for their "genius" or "introspective" lyricism (i.e. "the cure" and all of the ballads) feel very straightforward and matter-of-fact rather than creative.

I think she's at her best on her louder, more sarcastic songs, ex. "my way," "expectations," "all-american bitch," "love is embarrassing," etc. But that also makes me wonder how much of that identity comes from Dan Nigro as a creative partner. He's clearly more than a traditional producer: Olivia has talked about him pushing her to belt the chorus of "drivers license," he plays a huge amount of the instrumentation on her records, and he's contributed to broader creative decisions (suggesting YSPSFAGSIL as the album name).

Since Dan was in a rock band, I also wonder how much of Olivia's rock sound is shaped by his instincts. On SOUR, only 2/11 (maybe 3/11, if you count "jealousy, jealousy") of her songs have rock influences. And Olivia naturally seems inclined to write ballads; all of the songs she has written independently, barring "so american," are ballads or softer pop songs.

Obviously, I'm not saying Dan "made" Olivia or that she's not talented. But I think the rock edge that distinguishes her from most of her peers is something that emerged through her collaboration with Dan, rather than something she would have arrived at naturally with any other producer. And, at least for me, I'm not sure her lyrics really hold a candle to the nuanced and interesting production of her music.

That said, I do think she and her team have an excellent artistic vision and strong branding, and she seems like a very knowledgeable and passionate artist. I'm curious whether anyone else feels this way, or if I'm missing something.