I'm not saying any of this isn't pop, I'm in full agreement with you. Again, I don't think her trying some new flavors on here is a bad thing at all, just that it was noticeable in a way I wasn't expecting. It feels different to me than the Olivia album, and I have no problem with that one. (I don't really have a problem with this one either!) It honestly could be the sequencing more than anything, or a nitpick that dissipates with time. I can't speak for the others you mentioned.
I like most of Olivia’s ballads and think she really has the voice to sell those rawer moments. I do wish they were a little more sonically diverse, and not all “time for another piano ballad” songs, because those do get a little tiresome when there are 3-4 of them on a short album.
the biggest issue with the ballads on olivia's album is the sequencing. lacey is a good song that interrupts the flow of the album.
Decided to give this a listen at work this morning. Had no real expectations, but this is right up my ally as far as pop music goes. "Sharpest Tool" might be my favorite at this point.
I guess this is more my problem, yeah. The songs aren’t bad, they’re just the same thing over and over
Yep, the only problem with the ballads is how interchangeable they can be. Honestly the opposite of my reaction to this record, where there's just a lack of a core sound to really grab onto (even though it's a ton of fun). That's why songs like "Lacy" easily make GUTS the better Olivia record
Anyway I think this album covers a lot of ground but I don’t think it sounds disjointed at all. I think all these songs fit well together, even if there are some songs that aren’t quite as strong as others
I both find “Juno” to be one of those perfect, euphoric pop songs and think the lyrical concept of that song is completely insane. Anyone else?
I don't really feel strongly one way or another about the movie itself, but I'm also not convinced from the song that she has seen that movie.
Personally, I think referencing a movie/book/etc in a song, but doing it a bit incoherently, is funny and good. But also, “Juno” is probably in the running for my least favorite on this album? I still like it, but I don’t love it.
The songs that sound most like Ariana Grande, an artist I do not enjoy, are my least favorites. In my mind, that’s “Good Graces” and “Bed Chem.”
Yea this album can kind of play like pop star roulette. Luckily it does pretty much all of those modes well.
Even by her standards, that song is wild, considering the film in question is (in my recollection) a pretty sad dramedy about accidental teenage pregnancy.
Eh, I don't think "I might let you get me pregnant" is that deep lol just excessively horny, which again, also seems to be one of her things
Right, lol. It’s horny, and also (importantly!) silly; it’s not meant to be a literal commentary on the film.