Olivia Rodrigo’s debut album SOUR is out now, and I’m so excited for you all to hear it! If you haven’t listened to these songs yet, I highly recommend you do. Olivia has created an amazing record with 11 songs, no skips, and many incredible moments. I really looked forward to this album and it delivered! I enjoyed it a lot first listen, so here are some of my first impressions when I first listened to each song. Obviously I have been streaming the singles on repeat for months now, so I don’t really have new reactions, but drivers license, good 4 u, and deja vu are incredible songs and if you somehow haven’t heard them, I’m sure you’ll love them as well! Without further ado, here were my first impressions of the songs on Olivia’s new album SOUR, out now!
1. brutal
While listening to the album, I did a sort of album review through Discord messages, so I’ll be including those. Obviously my opinion will change a lot but I just wanted to share some of the things I thought while listening to these amazing songs for the first time!
I also wanted to share a lyric or few that I really loved from the songs! Of course her lyricism is off the charts so I love every line, but some did stand out to me.
I’m so sick of seventeen, where’s my fucking teenage dream?
Olivia Rodrigo, brutal
2. traitor
I kept quiet so I could keep you
Olivia Rodrigo, traitor
3. drivers license
…now I drive alone past your street
Olivia Rodrigo, drivers license
4. 1 step forward, 3 steps back
Do you love me, want me, hate me? Boy, I don’t understand
No, I don’t understand
Olivia Rodrigo, 1 step forward, 3 steps back
5. deja vu
She thinks it’s special, but it’s all reused…
Olivia Rodrigo, deja vu
6. good 4 u
Maybe I’m too emotional, but your apathy’s like a wound in salt
Olivia Rodrigo, good 4 u
7. enough for you
Anyone else think 1 step forward, 3 steps back + enough for you = Dear John?
Now I don’t want your sympathy, I just want myself back
Olivia Rodrigo, enough for you
8. happier
But she’s beautiful, she looks kind
She probably gives you butterflies
Olivia Rodrigo, happier
9. jealousy, jealousy
I loooove this song! It’s on repeat for now and probably ever; I just wanted to pop in and say that this song is so catchy in such a relatable way and I think a lot of people would connect to the message. It’s impressive how Olivia could write a song with all of that! Then again, all her songs are insanely addictive so it’s not a surprise.
All I see is what I should be
Happier, prettier, jealousy, jealousy
Olivia Rodrigo, jealousy, jealousy
10. favorite crime
but I say that I hate you with a smile on my face…
Olivia Rodrigo, favorite crime
11. hope ur ok
My favorite part of this song, other than the masterfully architectured bridge is the EMOTIONAL VOCALS THAT MAKE ME BREAK DOWN EVERY TIME! Don’t believe me? Go listen to it and tell me you don’t tear up at “I miss you, and I hope that you’re ok.”
Address the letters, to the holes in my butterfly wings
Nothing’s forever, nothing was as good as it seems
Olivia Rodrigo, hope ur ok
brb gonna go cry to this again
First Listen Rankings
I tried really hard to rank the songs of SOUR but in the end it was too hard to choose. All of these songs would be S-tier and A-tier in my tier list. Maybe one day in the future I’ll be able to rank the songs but for now, SOUR is too perfect to be ranked. I appreciate Olivia not including a single skip song in this album!
Edit: Here is the original ranking I came up with. I went back and looked at it, and it’s actually held up over time. It’s not perfect, but here’s my ranking, kind of?
| Rank | Options |
| 1 | happier |
| 2 | jealousy, jealousy |
| 3 | good 4 u |
| 4 | drivers license |
| 5 | brutal |
| 6 | hope ur ok |
| 7 | 1 step forward, 3 steps back |
| 8 | traitor |
| 9 | enough for you |
| 10 | favorite crime |
| 11 | deja vu |
In Conclusion
THANK YOU OLIVIA!! SOUR is truly a no skip album and if you haven’t listened to it yet please please do because I’m sure you will find that they are your new favorite songs, as they are with me. I’m elated that Olivia has released such an incredible album as her DEBUT and I’m excited to see what’s next! Now excuse me while I listen to SOUR on repeat for the next year.
Love, Emily 