About this episode

The episode explores Olivia Rodrigo's third studio album, highlighting its emotional depth and connections to The Cure.

Olivia Rodrigo is back with her third studio album, you seem pretty sad for a girl in love. As the title might suggest, it’s a deeply personal affair, with moody soundscapes supporting hyper-detailed lyrics of soul-wrenching depth. This album is a meditation on desire, and intriguingly, the letdown that can occur when desire is fulfilled. Each track is haunted by a band that basically invented the idea of unfulfilled longing, The Cure, who receive multiple direct shout-outs and numerous subtle references. But the album isn’t a tribute, or a rip-off. It’s a continuation of the voice Rodrigo has been developing ever since she debuted “drivers license” in 2021. It’s a sound distinctly her own, with signature techniques to match. The “re-verse” in “Drop Dead,” which we discussed in a prior episode, and a spiraling structure that keeps listeners waiting and waiting for the final word. Tune in to hear how Olivia channels her gothic predilections and fastidious lyrical craft into a powerful emotional payoff. Songs discussed: Olivia Rodrigo - drop dead, stupid song, u + me = <3, purple, the cure, begged, what’s wrong with me, less, expectations, cigarette smoke, drivers license…

People in this episode

Host: Switched on Pop

Topics covered

• Olivia Rodrigo
• The Cure
• music analysis
• emotional depth
• lyrical craft
• desire and fulfillment

Keywords

• Olivia Rodrigo
• The Cure
• album analysis
• emotional music
• lyrical techniques
• desire
• music podcast

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Cure

Books & works: drivers license, drop dead, stupid song, u + me =, Just Like Heaven, Friday I’m in Love

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