So glad Anthony admits finally that he is a teenage girl like the rest of us💕💕💕

10 years later I still get chills from this

So glad to see Olivia and Rodrigo collaborating on a project.

I always love when Anthony uses food analogies. “It’s crisp and blackened like a grilled cheese you left on the pan for too long, but you only burn the one half so it’s still good.” I’ll never forget when he said the groove on Skate from Silk Sonic was like a “fat piece of chocolate cake.” Never change dude.

This is such a confident album by someone who still has their whole career ahead of them. I love how it went in more of a rock direction than the debut and I loved how snarky some of Olivia’s lyrics were. Fantastic improvement on an album that was already pretty good.

No one's talking about the fact that her vocals have improved drastically.

Fantano in his hot girl era

If the opening track was All-American Bald you would’ve gave it a 10

so glad all the pretentious music nerds who follow Melon's every move have to swallow the pill that even music critics as involved with music like Anthony can still enjoy fun, teen pop.

Lacy is legitimately one of the most beautiful songs I’ve heard in a hot minute.

The 8/10 was deserved. This album was fire

"pretty isn't pretty" is a certified hood classic. That opening Cure-esque guitar is great

If GUTS stood for “Go uimp T Sutterfly” you would’ve given it a 10

in all seriousness, i'm really glad you liked the album, and that guts is getting raves all around. olivia seems to get a level of vitriol from stan twitter (specifically swifties and their "she's paying critics!!!" allegations) that is completely disproportionate. olivia's work is very true to herself, and she's very good at what she does, and i think that deserves respect.

Olivia truly outdid herself on this album. I remember when drivers license came out, and I figured I was too old to understand the appeal. Then “good 4 u” came out and I was like “wait this is actually shockingly good??” It seems she took the absolute best from Sour (good 4u, deja vu, brutal) and made an entire album where she takes everything up a notch. I can’t believe I’m saying this but Olivia Rodrigo, a young Disney star, might be the most creative mainstream artist I know of right now. I’m feeling a mix of Alanis Morisette & Lilly Allen on this album, and I love that. I think her artistry is actually undervalued because our culture demonizes things made for a predominantly-female teen / YA demographic. I hope she can transcend the teen-pop image because she’s doing the best pop-punk revival I’ve seen from an A-Lister.

Hard agree on this. The best moments of this record were when Olivia told us more about herself and focused less on guys. She presented very detailed and authentic self reflection on this record and it paid off in dividends.

It's pretty clever that she says on Get Him Back, "I am my father's daughter so maybe I could fix him." Her dad is a therapist so fixing people is literally his job. I thought that was a cool line after finding that out.

I've been listening to this album so much. I'm not at all the target audience, but it makes me nostalgic for when I was, long ago.

Pretty much improves upon everything she went for on Sour. Pretty isn’t pretty is my fav

Very very happy about this review! I feel like Olivia is often compared to SO many other artists and songs but honestly she really brings her own influences very clearly to me. You can hear her musical theatre background but she still keeps it very authentic and honest, which is something that I think is very unique and difficult to do. Really loved and am impressed with the musical range on this album as well as the subject matter she covers. It's very refreshing to have such a strong young female voice in the mainstream again!

Anthony should make a separate video about the baseless accusations of plagiarism. Both songs use the most common chords and refrains in pop punk music. I think the main reason why people notice it so much is that the people pointing out the similarities are very young and obsessed with TikTok and don’t have a wide taste or knowledge of music theory

Probably the only time Olivia Rodrigo and the Butthole Surfers will be mentioned together. I had the same thought, though. Just shows you that it is possible to be a Butthole Surfers fan AND enjoy this album.

i really enjoyed this album, glad to see it got the yellow flannel treatment

Olivia is one of the best female artists working right now

The rarest of all things: yellow flannel for a mainstream pop album. Been waiting all weekend to see this reality.

I'm almost 30 and this is one of those albums I wish I had as a teenager. A nostalgic masterpiece and my eyes and so fun to listen to 💘🤘

I feel like making the bed is such an underrated song on the album. I've seen a few articles and ratings for that song being the lowest on the album, but it's probably a top 3 song for me on the album.

Love is embarassing is one of the most fun and definitely the most blissful song on the album imo

That "situationship" in the beginning actually made me laugh out loud

That description is one of the most fitting notes you've put for an album. GUTS is definitely a teenage pop album, but it's a damn good at one at that. I would have loved to hear this songs during my teenage years, and the level of maturity in her lyrics are nice to hear in a pop rock flair. Some lyrics may be cringey, but they add to the spirit of a yelling teenager that feels very genuine and fun in their moments.

When I first heard drivers license I was really impressed by her potential and clapped back at a lot of friends saying that somebody who was able to write such a poingnant debut single as DL would have a lot to offer... And here we are! Probably the most impressive thing about GUTS is how much the songs grow and sink into you the more you listen. I kinda care for all the 12 tracks here which is very impressive!

If olivia included the hidden track "obsessed"... it will be 10 for sure! Its a crime its not in the standard album. Should be a single.

The thing that stuck out to me about GUTS was how supremely confident the album feels. Olivia Rodrigo leans into all of the best qualities of SOUR and created an album that is both really good and *knows* it's really good.

Not even joking I actually really enjoyed the progression that Olivia has made. She has a great taste for music and puts her own twist on pop. Olivia, Billie, and the new wave of superstar pop artists have really made some great music recently

I absolutely loved this album. I'm in my 30s and it brought back the feelings I had listening to Avril Lavigne and Weezer when I was 13 while still sounding like it was written by a 20 year old in 2023. And speaking of 2023, this year has been fire for rock or rock-related releases: KGLW, Geese, Squid, Boygenius, Foo Fighters, Wednesday, and, who would have thought, someone as mainstream as Olivia Rodrigo.

an 8/10 is the perfect rating for this album imo, its one of the best albums released this year

I'm not even a pop fan, but I really fuck with this album Absolute banger

Much like Sour, I really enjoyed this album. Glad to have Olivia making great pop music!

Glad you liked it Anthony! My mom used to put this album & it stuck with me during my childhood

I never thought I’d ever something like this but the instrumental of “get him back” reminds me of the flaming lips. The drum loops, distorted bass, and floaty backup vocals in the first verse along with the gliding synths riddled throughout the track make for such a “melty” listen as you put it.

YES KING WE STAN OLIVIA FOREVER

Seeing older men in the comments who aren't in the target demographic being able to simply enjoy certain songs off this album is refreshing. I sob to "The Grudge" every time, but I think about my parents. We don't talk anymore, but I still think about them often. The lyrics dredged up so many unresolved emotions, the same ones of pain & resentment from abuse coexisting with conflicted yearning for my parents...even now as I'm older. I shed tears over the song. I hear the pain in olivia's voice. Idgaf how pathetic I sound. "I doubt you ever think about the damage that you did But I hold on to every detail like my life depends on it My undying love, now I hold it like a grudge And I hear your voice every time that I think I'm not enough I try to be tough, but I wanna scream How could anybody do the things you did so easily? say I don't care, say that I'm fine But you know I can't let it go, I've tried, I've tried, I've tried For so long It takes strength to forgive, but I don't feel strong The arguments that I have won against you in my head In the shower, in the car & in the mirror before bed Yeah, I'm so tough when I'm alone and I make you feel so guilty I fantasize about a time you're a little fucking sorry And I try to understand why you would do this all to me You must be insecure, you must be so unhappy And I know in my heart, hurt people hurt people we both drew blood, but, man, those cuts were never equal" ...I think these lyrics can resonate with many people. If you have issues of abuse/neglect from parents especially.

at first I hated this album’s “guts,” but now that you’ve given it an 8 I can tell everyone it’s the aoty. Thanks melon!!!

Excellent review! In recent interviews, Olivia has talked about the perception of her as being precocious and wise beyond her years on SOUR and that perception put pressure on her while trying the make GUTS. She relieved the pressure by focusing on trying to make songs that she wanted to hear on the radio and have more fun. While still maintaining the acute self-awareness from SOUR, Olivia definitely accomplished her goal with the pensively pondering, playfully probing and creatively contradictory lyrics on display throughout the GUTS album. After two months of listening to GUTS, though, I find myself almost exclusively drawn to the songs that are not about an "ex" or reconnecting with an "ex" or any relationship drama. Olivia has said that she is proud of the songs that are not about "break-ups" but about herself and her development as a person. I agree. There are six of them (half of the album): "All-American B--h," "Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl," "Making the Bed," Pretty Isn't Pretty," "Teenage Dream," and even "Lacy" (which is more about obsession and envy). It can be argued that all of Olivia's songs are deeply introspective in different ways, but I have become more interested in the songs in which Olivia focuses her introspection on different topics (aside from heartbreak) in an effort to understand herself in relation to the outside world, while always holding herself accountable for her actions. I hope she continues to expand her field of interests and explore more topics and employ her keen intellect, sensitivity, and quirky wit to develop even more inventive and revealing lyrics through even more intense self-examinations.

I've listened to it twice today and I can already say everything is catchy from first listen and kept me coming back to it

I personally barely enjoyed this album but im happy to see "music enjoyers" realizing Fantano can enjoy teen pop, hope yall keep rocking with this record meanwhile

Love is Embarrassing is my favorite song of the album. Its so much fun, so fucking catchy and so energetic and electric.

Wtf Anthony? Now I actually have a reason to listen to the album

I’m glad this got a very fair and honest review. Olivia is so young and has already garnered an immense audience. Her tour for this album is going to be extremely successful.

the live version of All American B!tch is so incredibly impressive. Her vocal control cannot be overstated.

Thank GOD you finally came out with this review Anthony! A few days have passed and I was scared I would have to end up forming my own opinions!

I like how I watched this in 10 minutes and not 40. Usually the short reaction videos aren’t good, or not understandable for the normal person. So short and sweet and understandable. Subscribed for that

Olivia is so damn good. Between Sour and GUTS there’s like, 3 songs total that I don’t really care for. And even those aren’t bad

I Geniuenly think Guts is one of the best "Girly teenage pop" records i've heard, but Olivia really needs to get insanely creative and getting out of her comfort zone if she wants her 3rd Studio album to be even better and not forgettable. Also think Guts its a solid 8

Amazing to see this get so much praise. Glad you covered this

I think GUTS feels substantial even when considered independently of SOUR. While it follows pretty much the same style, Olivia feels more expressive and comfortable with the style she's dialing in on. I hope we get to hear some creative twists on the pop-punk genre in her next album.

Damn tony you got some GUTS to score this album this high (I have not listened to it)

Fantano's script was particularly good this time around. Lots of inventive, funny similes and aces deadpan delivery. This album isn't in my wheelhouse at all, but I do always love seeing creatives who're fighting an uphill battle to prove themselves as "legitimate" for one reason or another succeed with flying colors. It's a hell of an accomplishment, especially with how brutal the critic apparatus can be these days.

Nice review! I wonder if you also review albums that came out earpy this year. If so I’d suggest “The redshift blues” by Dispirited Spirits. I heard ppl saying nice things about on RYM, listened to it, and it’s one of my favs, definitely recommend!

Mr. Needledrop you have to review the brand new modern jazz album from breakout Icelandic artist Laufey called 'Bewitched', it's amazing.

I’m glad to see Anthony is back to making videos after his breakup with Drake. So proud ❤️

i completely agree. i was surprised on how olivia improved so much, and 8 was my conclusion

I love Olivia’s music and this just helped me understand some stuff that I couldn’t even tell when listening. Loved the breakdown

It's a bop! Thoroughly enjoyed it! As a 28 yo dude, I like to appreciate i can get down with the hip teen music. haha, it really gives me nostalgia vibes of the early 2000s though and I love it. I loved the song good 4 u off Sour and this album films like a whole album of tracks like that.

ballads are great but the rock songs were definitely my favorites so heres a playlist of the rock songs: all american b bad idea right ballad of a homeschooled girl get him back love is embarrassing pretty isnt pretty you can also add good 4 u from first album that one rocks. i havent listened to sour yet tho so there might be more great songs there

Interesting to hear your take on the overproduction of love is embarrassing because that's exactly how I feel whenever I listen to making the bed, and yet I really enjoyed love is embarrassing

Im glad he likes it, i was wondering if he'd review this album. Im not much of an olivia fan but i liked the more 2000's pop rock songs off of Sour, and when i heard Guts i was really happy to see an expansion on that. And i love that he talked about all the songs i enjoyed, and the ones he said were weak were ones i didnt enjoy much which was funny 😂 i dont have as much of an affinity for olivia's ballads as i do for her more rock adjacent songs (though i do like a couple), and although ive grown to like love is embarrassing id agree its not as strong a contender as others like bad idea right or ballad of a homeschooled girl and such. All round great review

I'm impressed at how much better her songwriting has gotten. It really shows on logical & making the bed. It felt more hopeful than SOUR which shows growth. GUTS is def the perfect sequel to SOUR and one of the best records of the year.

While I preferred some of the gentler moments of Sour I think Olivia really proved herself on this project as a writer and performer. Bad Idea Right, Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl, and Vampire are fantastic tracks. Really, there isn’t a weak one here. Excited to see what she does in her 20s!

It's great of Anthony to have the guts to review the album in spite of his recent breakup with Olivia.

Can you do a classics review on Superunkown. Really would love to hear your in-depth thoughts

Found ur channel through HE SAID US ( NICK IS NOT GREEN) been binge watching for 2 days!!! Content is amazing!!!! So thank u kind sir!!!!

an 8 is crazyyyy. Yayy for olivia

So many great songs in this one... vampire is a 10/10 song to me, and lacy really might her best written song ever!! I love sour, so im still kinda undecided on which one i prefer, but guts is obviously a great great album, aoty contender at the grammys for sure

Deserves a light 9 imo. Really excited for her future!

Is there an album for Griffith too?

she deserves it… this album is great

I’m 25 and I can’t stop listening to this record

so proud of you for coming out melon ❤

"Griffith did nothing wrong." How dare you, Melon? GUTS has been through enough already.

I like this guy. He can enjoy Burzum and Olivia Rodrigo and he doesn't see any issue with that.

I played this and then the New York dolls albums, they fit together perfectly in a punk playlist

Love is Embarrassing rules and that’s my take

Nice to see someone made an album about the main character of Berserk.

Her vocals have improved and matured wonderfully, the song writing is stronger, and the music is much better. I love this album.

WE NEED A BEWITCHED ALBUM REVIEW FANTANO (thank you)

Great review Anthony. I thought your joke about wanting to rearrange Olivia Rodrigo's guts was a little distasteful, but they can't all land.

Great vocals and her humor in the lyrics is so funny and comes across as very genuine

Idk if anything hits the same heights as songs from Sour, but this album certainly felt more consistent and diverse. A solid second effort that shows she has staying power in the mainstream.

About time Anthony reviews manga 🔥🔥🔥 Beserk is amazing

I like it, it was a 7 for me, really like some tracks, it was surprising overall given i haven't given her a chance until this release, so yeah it's a good album

I love her voice and lyrics, and I am glad you give her a thumb up. Let's see how she evolve in the future.

I do not think this album is that good. I think the slow cuts are painfully boring, and I think the critical failure of the album is in the song order. the bad person and potential predator from vampire and the grudge simply can't be the same person from bad idea and get him back, but those songs are thrown together like they're all part of the same story. I also think Rodrigo is a pretty lackluster lyricist most of the time and has a few spectacular fails alongside I still enjoyed it well enough, it wasn't terrible or anything, but I couldn't possibly give it more than a light 7 at the most generous

I’ve been listening to this album for a couple of days, as a 52 year old looking to round up what’s going on in pop music. I like it. I really like some bits of it, Bad Idea, Right? Is an absolute banger, the little 'fuck it, it’s fine' as she goes into the chorus cracks me up every time. Vampire has some brilliant lyrics and I love the soaring chorus. Pretty isn’t Pretty is a low point for me, the rest is decent. There’s been a few pop records of the last 10 years that I’ve really loved, Pure Heroine by Lorde was one and I think Harry’s House by Harry Styles is one of the best albums of any kind I’ve heard in a long time. This album doesn’t scale those heights but I feel pop is in pretty safe hands with Harry and Olivia.

Suprised you didn’t emphasize on the build of instrumentation and vocals on the closing track, I feel like it sent the album off on a really high and grand note, especially with the lyrics in mind.

Olivia was popping up all over my algorithm so I tried Guts recently. I admit it was more of a background noise to my house cleaning so I owe it a relisten, but all I got was MGK sounding tunes with far better vocals and a little less cringey song writing

So glad to see Olivia bring an ode to the Black Swordsman.

This album went deep in my GUTS

Excited and nervous for the teezo review

This was a great album, sure contender for album of the year.