Guts cover
Released

After her initial success with Sour, Olivia Rodrigo hit even higher marks with Guts, a celebration of pop hooks and 90s alt-rock atmosphere and sonic punch in equal measure. Again working closely with Dan Nigro as key collaborator, Rodrigo peeled off a series of striking singles via the quick riffing sass and romantic angst of “Bad Idea Right?” and “Get Him Back!” as well as the moodier ballad “Vampire.” But the deeper cuts were just as striking, including the post-punk guitar mood of “Pretty Isn’t Pretty” and “Making the Bed”’s too-much-too-soon meditations.

Ned Raggett

Recommended by

Suggestions
Ys cover

Ys

Joanna Newsom
Lullabies to Paralyze cover

Lullabies to Paralyze

Queens of the Stone Age
There’s No Leaving Now cover

There’s No Leaving Now

The Tallest Man on Earth
Visions cover

Visions

Norah Jones
Smash cover

Smash

The Offspring
Help Us Stranger cover

Help Us Stranger

The Raconteurs
Shine cover

Shine

Mother Love Bone
Earth Sun Moon cover

Earth Sun Moon

Love and Rockets