This summer is huge for pop music with Gracie Abrams announcing her new album Daughter from Hell, Ariana Grande’s next album Petal, and most of all Olivia Rodrigo’s upcoming album you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love.
Olivia released her first single of the Girl So in Love-era titled “Drop Dead” on April 17th. Drop Dead received mixed responses but in my opinion it is an incredible introduction to her third album. It has emotional depth with lyrics like, “I’m paranoid I made you up,” showing genuine insecurity even in a happy relationship. It also has moments built for virality, such as her upbeat chorus, which is absolutely necessary for modern pop music.
The song follows a description of a first date and honeymoon phase feelings. Many listeners have commented that this song perfectly describes the feeling of having a crush or the beginning of a relationship. The melody is upbeat and feels like a midnight conversation with a best friend.
The second, currently unreleased, single from the album is titled “Begged”. The song features compelling lyrics and a repetitive melody that makes a listener feel stuck in a moment. Olivia omits a bridge which allows the song to feel unfinished, which perfectly fits the lyrics like, “And I have this thought when I lay in bed at night that I feel trapped inside my life.”
She introduced the song on SNL on May 2nd, but she hasn’t officially released it or announced a release date. People are curious if she will release it as a single or just as a featured song on the album. The song focuses on feeling underappreciated in a relationship, and wishing you didn’t have to beg for affection from a partner. The looping melody perfectly makes a listener feel the lyrics even harder.
Overall, the first two songs from you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love hint to a well-curated emotional era. Olivia Rodrigo is firmly establishing herself as one of the best lyricists of her generation with a unique understanding of how a melody affects a song. You can hear for yourself when you can stream you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love on June 12th.
