SOUR

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

SOUR · Olivia Rodrigo signed with Geffen Records in 2020 and wanted to release an EP in 2021. Producer Dan Nigro had heard her songs and offered via Instagram to work with her. Because of the pandemic they had a lot of time in the studio. When the debut single drivers license became so big, she decided to turn it into a full album. Rodrigo wrote all the songs together with Nigro, about teenage love, anger, jealousy and sadness.

The album jumps from energetic guitar rock in the style of the 1990s to soft piano ballads and fingerpicked guitars. Rodrigo named Alanis Morissette, Taylor Swift and the White Stripes as inspiration. Songs such as brutal and good 4 u have a danceable, uptempo arrangement, even though they are about unpleasant feelings. Critics praised it as a strong debut with realistic lyrics. It won a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album and in 2023 stands at number 358 on Rolling Stone's list.

Listening

Track list

1. 1brutal2:24Apple Music ↗
2. 2traitor3:49Apple Music ↗
3. 3drivers license4:02Apple Music ↗
4. 41 step forward, 3 steps back2:44Apple Music ↗
5. 5deja vu3:36Apple Music ↗
6. 6good 4 u2:58Apple Music ↗
7. 7enough for you3:23Apple Music ↗
8. 8happier2:56Apple Music ↗
9. 9jealousy, jealousy2:53Apple Music ↗
10. 10favorite crime2:33Apple Music ↗
11. 11hope ur ok3:30Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗