International popstar Olivia Rodrigo is set to release her new album, “you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love,” on June 12, sparking excitement for many GCSU students.
Anticipation about the release has garnered traction online, with over a thousand reposts, likes and shares. The title differentiates from her usual four–letter albums like “GUTS” and “SOUR.” This has led to speculation about a diversion from her usual punk-rock pop music aesthetic.
Some of the students at GCSU offered their thoughts on the project announcement. Tyne Parker, a sophomore exercise science major, is a fan of Olivia Rodrigo and ecstatic for the new album.
“I actually think this one is going to be a girl boss in Paris vibe like an album about overcoming instead of being upset,” Parker said.
Parker then noted the variation of the title when compared to the previous records.
“Maybe she’s been through more in her life, so four letters is no longer enough of a description,” Parker said. “Taylor Swift did the same thing, where she went from ‘Midnights’ to ‘The Tortured Poets Department.’”
Hailey Meaders, a sophomore psychology major, has been a longtime supporter of Olivia Rodrigo.
“Honestly, I don’t know much about it [the new album] but I’m excited,” Meaders said. “I think [the songs will be] mostly rock heavy with some sad songs.”
Lily Purvis, a sophomore biology major, shares the same enthusiasm as Meaders and hopes Rodrigo’s album becomes an online sensation.
“I am ready for a new viral sound on TikTok and I think Olivia will give us that,” Purvis said.
Anna Holbrook, a freshman criminal justice and psychology major, is not the biggest Olivia Rodrigo fan but still enjoys a plethora of her songs. With the announcement of the future album, she shares that she is not overwhelmingly excited.
“It’s been so long since [she made] new music that I’ve kind of lost interest in her,” Holbrook elaborated.
Bryce Arnold, a senior exercise science major, is not anticipating Olivia Rodrigo’s work, but sees potential in it.
“No offense to her but I just don’t listen to her music,” Arnold said. “I hope it does well and is good cause we need more summer songs.”
Though he notes that he will listen to her if his girlfriend and her friends enjoy the album.
Freshman exercise science major Allison Bogler cannot contain her enthusiasm for the release.
“I am so ready for these new songs,” Bogler said. “She’s always been one of my favorites; every word she writes is poetry.”
Curiosities about the album centering around Olivia Rodrigo’s possible separation with Louis Patridge have been circulating as well.
“Yeah, I think it’s going to be all about Louis Patridge,” Holbrook said.
Olivia Rodrigo is known for taking inspiration from prior troubles with love. This is fueling the narrative that the album will be driven by her relationship with Patridge.
“It’s definitely going to be about some tragedy, probably with him,” Boogler said.
GCSU students gained a sneak peek of the album recently. The first song of the album, “Drop Dead,” was released on April 17, and Bobcats are tuning in to hear it.
The song still uses a base guitar and drums that are rife through her songs. However, it has a softer and lighter tone to it. This could be a reason the music video was set in the Palace of Versailles.
The vast palace has associations with Marie Antionette who is pictured as very dainty, feminine and delicate. The camera used to film the video has a haze-like quality to it, giving the song feelings of nostalgia and surrealism.
Artistic choices aside, the single has garnered mixed reactions, with some adoring it and others feeling less enthusiastic about it.
There are 13 more tracks to follow “Drop Dead,” so there is still some mystery about the album and if she will continue with that softer and more pop-sounding tone. Either way, GCSU students will have something new to listen to this summer.