GUTS

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Guts (stylized in all caps) is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo, released on September 8, 2023, through Geffen Records. It was written and recorded with Rodrigo working closely alongside Dan Nigro, the producer and multi-instrumentalist of her debut album Sour (2021). Inspired by the period of time immediately following Sour's success, Rodrigo conceived Guts hoping to reflect the process of maturity she experienced toward the end of her teenage years. Guts is a sonically diverse record that blends pop and rock subgenres. The album uses a variety of guitar and drum sounds from alternative and pop rock styles to create energetic songs and soft ballads. The subject matter deals with Rodrigo's coming-of-age transition and its tribulations. The album received universal critical acclaim for its lyrical wit, complexity, topicality, aesthetic and energy. Reviews noted both humorous and emotionally fraught lyrics, detailing Rodrigo's struggles with identity, romantic and professional disillusionment, unexpected stardom, and societal expectations as a young woman.