Grammy's Album of The Year Review: Olivia Rodrigo - "Guts"

"Guts" - Olivia Rodrigo

(Geffen Records)

1) "All-American Bitch"

This deals with ideals & double standards; "Forgive and I forget, I know my age and I act like it". With a punk-pop chorus, this is an energetic opening to the album.

2) "Bad Idea Right?"

A playful track that has her thinking about going back to a relationship; "Yes, I know that he's my ex, but can't two people reconnect? I only see him as a friend, The biggest lie I ever said". The instrumental break goes off.

3) "Vampire"

This track revolves around being taken advantage of and liberation; "How's the castle built off people you pretend to care about?". The track gradually builds, with a nice drive in the bridge.

4) "Lacy"

She finds herself comparing herself to other women, and dealing with the personification of beauty; "I feel your compliments like bullets on skin". Her vocals are very delicate.

5) "Ballad Of A Homeschooled Girl"

This comes from social anxiety with a garage rock feel; "I'm on the outside of the greatest inside joke". There's a nice half-time feel towards the end.

6) "Making The Bed"

This is self-depreciating on fame; "Another day pretendin' I'm older than I am".

7) "Logical"

This deals with how love can be irrational; " 'Cause if rain don't pour and sun don't shine, Then changing you is possible. No, love is never logical". While touching, lyrically "logical" is a bit clunky.

8) "Get Him Back!"

There's a pop-rock feel; "But I am my father's daughter, so maybe I can fix him". Just a well-crafted track.

9) "Love Is Embarrassing"

She explores love & self-worth; "Just watch as I crucify myself for some weird second string loser who's not worth mentioning". 

10) "The Grudge"

A ballad about conflicting emotions among a relationship/friendship marked by manipulation; "And I hear your voice every time that I think I'm not enough.........It takes strength to forgive, but I don't feel strong enough".

11) "Pretty Isn't Pretty"

A reflection on self-positivity & expectations; "There's always something in the mirror that I think looks wrong". I appreciate the message, but the production doesn't quite stand out.

12) "Teenage Dream"

This is about growing up under a spotlight; "When am I gonna stop being wise beyond my years and just start being wise?.......I fear that they already got all the best parts of me". A powerful closer to the album.

"Sour" was such a strong debut album from Olivia Rodrigo, that some wondered how she would be able to follow it up. It turns out that wouldn't be a problem, as "Guts" is a solid sophomore album. Olivia dips a little more into that pop-punk vibe with this successor, I wonder what we can expect in the future? (90.8)

Taylor Swift: "Midnights" - 93.6

boygenius: "The Record" - 92.1

Olivia Rodrigo: "Guts" - 90.8

Lana Del Rey: "Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd." - 87.1

Miley Cyrus: "Endless Summer Vacation" - 84.4

Jon Batiste: "World Music Radio" - 82.4

Janelle Monae: "The Age Of Pleasure" - 78.4    

 

Grammy's Album of The Year Review: Jon Batiste - "World Music Radio"

 

"World Music Radio" - Jon Batiste

(Verve/Interscope Records)

1) "Hello, Billy Bob"

A spoken word intro, this acts as a start-up.

2) "Raindance" (ft/Native Soul)

This is a reggae inspired with Native American roots; "When you gon' arrive in the sky to let your love down". There are some smooth transitions.

3) "Be Who You Are" (ft/JID, New Jeans & Camilo)

There's a blending of styles, but this track feels like its all over the place. Its lyrically weak.

4) "Worship"

"Worship" acts as a call to prayer. There's a tonal shift about halfway in. While I like the production, lyrically it seems repetitive and simplistic.

5) "My Heart" (ft/Rita Paye`s)

This is a more intimate track.

6) "Drink Water" (ft/Jon Bellion and Fireboy DML)

A very calming track; "So take a deep breath, drink water. You know that these streets just loud, calm down". 

7) "Calling Your Name"

I'm not really a fan of the production on this track; it's a little 'muzak' for my taste.

8) "Clair de Lune" (ft/Kenny G)

An instrumental track.

9) "Butterfly"

This comes from Jon being by his wife's side. The piano is very lovely.

10) "17th Ward Prelude"

11) "Uneasy" (ft/Lil Wayne)

This connects to New Orleans; "Close the shower door on my city, it's steamin'". The guitar is really nice towards the back half.

12) "Call Now (504-305-8269)" (ft/Michael Batiste)

With a funk feel, this is a fairly deep lyrical track; "When this fame is gone, I'll state my same old song".

13) "Chassol"

14) "Boom For Real"

Lyrically this drags.

15) "Movement 18' (Heroes)"

With some brilliant piano playing, this is a reflection on some of Jon's musical influences.

16) "Master Power"

This samples different religious prayers. Instrumentally this feels like its going in circles at times.

17) "Running Away" (ft/Leigh-Anne)

This revolves around power and the feeling behind this; "When the weight is on your shoulders, I'll take it off of you". 

18) "Goodbye, Billy Bob"

This acts as a sign-off for this radio-like experience. 

19) "White Space"

A piano forward track.

20) "Wherever You Are"

A culmination of sorts, this falls somewhat flat for me.

21) "Life Lesson" (ft/Lana Del Rey)

Coming off of their work on Lana's album with "Candy Necklace", this duo continues to work well here. Quite a strong closing.

Jon Batiste is trying out something unique with "World Music Radio", quite literally creating a radio program. We see a blending of sounds and styles, but I'd argue this album could have been scaled down. Overall I enjoyed a majority of the album, but it could have been something incredibly special. (82.4)

Taylor Swift: "Midnights" - 93.6

boygenius: "The Record" - 92.1

Lana Del Rey: "Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd." - 87.1

Miley Cyrus: "Endless Summer Vacation" - 84.4

Jon Batiste: "World Music Radio" - 82.4

Janelle Monae: "The Age Of Pleasure" - 78.4  

Grammy's Album of The Year Review: boygenius - "The Record"

 

"The Record" - boygenius

(Interscope Records)

1) "Without You Without Them"

This short introductory a cappella track is centered around the ordeal of being known. The harmonies in the chorus are beautiful.

2) "$20"

There's a punk feel; "Run out of gas, out of time, out of money. You're doing what you can, just makin' it run". 

3) "Emily I'm Sorry"

This acts as an apology track; "She's asleep in the back seat, Looking peaceful enough to me, But she's wakin' up inside a dream, Full of screeching tires and fire". The delicate vocals brings the message home.

4) "True Blue"

This centers around finding yourself; "And it feels good to be known so well. I can't hide from you like I hide from myself". 

5) "Cool About It"

This deals with a relationship that's lacking communication; "I'm trying to be cool about it, Feelin' like an absolute fool about it, Wishin' you were kind enough to be cruel about it......I ask you how you're doing and I let you lie". Each verse brings a new element.

6) "Not Strong Enough"

Centering around feeling that you're not enough for someone; "I can't stop staring at the ceiling fan and spinning out about things that haven't happened". The track goes full throttle with Lucy's chorus.

7) "Revolution 0"

This track deals with online dating; "Imaginary friend, you live up in my head". This could have used another verse, or a different perspective with multiple vocalists.

8) "Leonard Cohen"

You get a read of the connection that this trio has; "You felt like an idiot adding an hour to the drive. But it gave us more time to embarrass ourselves, tellin' stories we wouldn't tell anyone else". 

9) "Satanist"

This comes from Julien and her religious upbringing; "Will you be a nihilist with me? If nothin' matters, man, that's a relief". There's really nice guitar work, setting up a punk feel.

10) "We're In Love"

This is based on the importance of the group's friendship; "I feel crazy in ways I never say. Will you still love me if it turns out I'm insane? I know what you'll say, but it helps to hear you say it anyway". Lucy is able to paint a picture with her vocals.

11) "Anti-Curse"

Inspired by Julien's near-drowning experience; "I'm out of my depth at a public beach, I never listened, I had to see for myself". The track picks up with Julien's big vocals towards the end of the 2nd verse.

12) "Letter To An Old Poet"

This deals with someone having so much power over you; "You don't get to tell me to calm down. You made me feel like an equal, but I'm better than you". Instrumentally, this is a nice closing to the album, as you sense a sort of chaotic swarm before it ends. That effect is done very well.

This album flies by as you're listening. Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus make for a powerhouse trio. While they have their separate solo careers, I hope we get a lot more from boygenius in the near-future. (92.1)

Taylor Swift: "Midnights" - 93.6

boygenius: "The Record" - 92.1

Lana Del Rey: "Did You Know That There's A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd." - 87.1

Miley Cyrus: "Endless Summer Vacation" - 84.4

Janelle Monae: "The Age Of Pleasure" - 78.4