Olivia Rodrigo Trades Pop-Punk for New Wave, and Angst for True Love (for Half an Album), in the Excellent ‘You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love’: Review

Article excerpt

Olivia Rodrigo's third album 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love' swaps pop-punk guitars for new wave synths and trades relationship angst for genuine love, at least for the first half. Working again with producer Dan Nigro, Rodrigo continues a streak of releasing albums that land among the year's most engaging pop records. The shift in sonic palette and emotional tone marks a notable evolution, though the album's second half apparently reverts to more familiar territory, suggesting the artist is still finding her footing in this new direction.