Sour
by Olivia Rodrigo
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: May 21, 2021
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1336 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,075 out of 1336
  2. Mixed: 63 out of 1336
  3. Negative: 198 out of 1336
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  1. invisible69
    May 23, 2021
    10
    Definitely did not expect this from her when I first heard driver’s license but this album is everything!!
  2. PotterheadGleek
    May 21, 2021
    8
    Look what Olivia did: she made a great album that everyone must listen. And more important, she is not trying to be the next somebody, she's her, and we love that.
  3. Panchogul
    May 22, 2021
    9
    No soy fan de Olivia, pero su álbum debut está muy bueno, tan solo "brutal" es una canción muy pegajosa aunque se siente muy corta, en fin, bien hecho.
  4. sese24
    May 21, 2021
    9
    ElThis album is so heartwarming, I love all the songs, also this is the future of rock 'n' roll
  5. danilosilva
    May 22, 2021
    10
    Álbum impecável. Depois de 3 singles (sabiamente escolhidos) maravilhosos e totalmente versáteis, o hype pelo álbum de estreia da Olivia Rodrigo foi gigantesco. E ela conseguiu superar as expectativas. Talentosíssima igual a fav Taylor Swift. “brutal” é uma das melhores opening tracks que eu já ouvi, cativante demais. “jealousy, jealousy” é simplesmente uma pop perfection. Enfim, o álbumÁlbum impecável. Depois de 3 singles (sabiamente escolhidos) maravilhosos e totalmente versáteis, o hype pelo álbum de estreia da Olivia Rodrigo foi gigantesco. E ela conseguiu superar as expectativas. Talentosíssima igual a fav Taylor Swift. “brutal” é uma das melhores opening tracks que eu já ouvi, cativante demais. “jealousy, jealousy” é simplesmente uma pop perfection. Enfim, o álbum está aí para mostrar o motivo de Olivia Rodrigo ser o momento!… Expand
  6. yongizzy
    May 21, 2021
    10
    The album that everyone was wishing for since late 2000's
  7. RK13
    May 21, 2021
    10
    A surprisingly good debut album which will provide Rodrigo with the platform to be one of the main pop icons of the 2020s. brutal is by far the best track
  8. elivelton
    May 21, 2021
    10
    olivia é um nome que não irá cair no esquecimento tão cedo, seu debut só consegue provar ainda mais o meu ponto, com baladas bem produzidas e canções animadas lembrando um pop/rock anos 2000 ela soube entregar o que a nova geração queria, ela sabe conversar com seu público em todas as letras, sucesso e vida longa a ela, quanto aos gays amargurados: apenas aceitem que uma garota de 18 anosolivia é um nome que não irá cair no esquecimento tão cedo, seu debut só consegue provar ainda mais o meu ponto, com baladas bem produzidas e canções animadas lembrando um pop/rock anos 2000 ela soube entregar o que a nova geração queria, ela sabe conversar com seu público em todas as letras, sucesso e vida longa a ela, quanto aos gays amargurados: apenas aceitem que uma garota de 18 anos não tem obrigação de agradar a vocês, se querem ficar presos ao pop antigo, então que procurem por isso nas plataformas de streaming e deixem a garota em paz.… Expand
  9. leobartowski
    May 22, 2021
    10
    I think that everyone agrees when I say that this is the album of the year so far. Every song has a instrumental quite similar to Taylor Swift works, what makes this album so much better. The last time the world experienced an album like this was Folklore, NFR & Melodrama.
  10. AndreyMacedo
    May 22, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. There is no doubt that she is a complete artist, even if she came from the world of Disney, she is not just one more, because she knows what she does.
    The songs are amazing, I loved listening to everything, from beginning to end.
    The start with 'Brutal' is totally perfect, it was the right choice.
    She delivered something so good on a first album, I am shocked and loving it.    … Expand
  11. rogadi
    May 21, 2021
    10
    Album of the year, no doubt. So powerful and solid for it to be a debut. Olivia is definitely bigger than the big artists of this time, can say she is the biggest artist of this year.
  12. DrewBarrymore
    May 21, 2021
    10
    Me surpreendeu demais, esse álbum é muito bom em todos os quesitos (Produção, melodias, letras) Olivia só prova que veio pra ficar e que não vai ser uma artista only singles.
  13. nurhikmattew
    May 23, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. She literally makes variousity in one album, and it ofcourse says the sourness of ex and it’s relatable life story for several people. Like literally she needs to move on from her ex and brand new her day with someone who accept every her jokes… Expand
  14. NolanLundgaard
    May 21, 2021
    10
    SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo: 9.12

    brutal: 1 :) traitor: 1! drivers license: 1! 1 step forward, 3 steps back: 1 deja vu: 1 :) good 4 u: 1 :) enough for you: 1! happier: 1 jealousy, jealousy: 1 :) favorite crime: 0.75 hope ur ok: 0.75 10.5/11 ~ .955 -> 9.12 Ever since drivers license came out earlier this year, I have always been grappled by Olivia Rodrigo’s uncommon ability    SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo: 9.12

    brutal: 1 :)
    traitor: 1!
    drivers license: 1!
    1 step forward, 3 steps back: 1
    deja vu: 1 :)
    good 4 u: 1 :)
    enough for you: 1!
    happier: 1
    jealousy, jealousy: 1 :)
    favorite crime: 0.75
    hope ur ok: 0.75

    10.5/11 ~ .955 -> 9.12

    Ever since drivers license came out earlier this year, I have always been grappled by Olivia Rodrigo’s uncommon ability to write phenomenal lyrics. In fact, her first three singles (which I have basically listened on repeat to) were so timely with my personal experiences. Somehow, Rodrigo is able to explain the sea of countless emotions that I know a good number of people have experiences at least sometime in their life, and she does this accompanied by music that is a blast to listen to. For a debut album, this is off the charts. I can honestly say that I am not the type of person who gives out 10s to every album I come across (just check my other reviews out!), but this one absolutely deserves it. The album is balanced beautifully, with calm piano or acoustic guitar-based songs mixed in with “Taylor Swift meets Green Day'' tracks that are exceedingly fun to listen to.

    I really wish that I could include my song-by-song commentary, though that would push my review past the character limit.

    As a whole, Rodrigo makes a remarkable debut with her first album, SOUR. There was obviously a lot of hype surrounding it, and I can absolutely say that it definitely lived up to my expectations. The sound of the album is terrific, but I feel like Rodrigo truly shines in her most energetic songs (her belting voice sounds surprisingly good). That being said, her lyrics are really what is first and foremost the most brilliant part of this album. Somehow she is able to beautifully convey complex feelings and in addition to that she packs her feelings very eloquently in music form. I know SOUR was just released, but I greatly look forward to hearing what Rodrigo produces in the future. I believe all lovers of music will appreciate SOUR, as it is a combination of multiple forms of music. Olivia Rodrigo, in the miniscule chance that you are reading this, know that SOUR is, I kid you not, one of the best albums I have listened to. You are awesome! Highlights: brutal; traitor; drivers license; 1 step forward, 3 steps back; deja vu; good 4 u; enough for you; happier; and jealousy, jealousy.    … Expand
  15. ewhite
    May 21, 2021
    10
    This was lovely! Great and pretty varied sonically. Taylor Swift's presence are palpable. The lyrics cleverly constructed and I love how she touched upon subjects such as heartbreak, insecurities and generational trauma . Brutal and Hope Ur Ok are standouts for me. Overall, I think she has HUUUGE potential.
  16. effecktx
    May 27, 2021
    10
    that's reeeeally good. she was personal in a mixed way, sometimes dramatic, sometimes fun, sometimes f*ckin craaazy. I LOVE IT!
  17. petrichor1975
    May 21, 2021
    8
    Olivia Rodrigo's debut LP arrived as suddenly as "drivers license" did earlier this year. I personally did not enjoy that song too much. However, it was the next single, "deja vu" that caught my interest. "good 4 u" continued this sustained intrigue of mine. It made me eager to check out "SOUR" when it would drop.

    The opening track, "brutal", is self-explanatory. It starts with some    Olivia Rodrigo's debut LP arrived as suddenly as "drivers license" did earlier this year. I personally did not enjoy that song too much. However, it was the next single, "deja vu" that caught my interest. "good 4 u" continued this sustained intrigue of mine. It made me eager to check out "SOUR" when it would drop.

    The opening track, "brutal", is self-explanatory. It starts with some cinematic strings, which are quickly scrapped for some heavy and angsty guitars. It is just the contrast that the song needs. "traitor", for me, personally is a nice tune, but it's not one of my favorites.

    "drivers license", the album's quintessential tune, is a sweeping pop song about heartbreak and teenage romance, which sets up "1 step forward, 3 steps back" for success. It's a sweet sounding song. "deja vu" and "good 4 u" go well together in the tracklisting, with another acoustic ballad ("enough for you") after.

    The album's later cuts, like "happier" and "jealousy, jealousy" are great fun as well, with whispers of the pop sounds of Lorde and Taylor Swift, but with a unique Olivia twist. "favorite crime" made me wonder how much better the album would be with one or two more upbeat songs instead of ballads, but "hope ur ok" really closed the album in an endearing and appealing way.

    "SOUR" is an impressive debut. It sets Rodrigo apart from the rest of the pop stars of the time. It'll be exciting to see where she goes from here.    … Expand
  18. reut
    May 21, 2021
    10
    an amazing debut album! 11 songs that show honesty, and most of all talent.
  19. jeffreyAq28
    May 21, 2021
    9
    She is talented af! This album has no skip! I love every track especially deja vu and happier.
  20. Nathansze
    May 21, 2021
    8
    Olivia Rodrigo is making me feel more youthful after hearing the album, she took me to a journey of the girl who is feeling insecure of her relationship.
  21. ddomiciano
    May 24, 2021
    10
    Great debut, great voice... total Lorde feeling, but still better. Only 18 years and she is so promising To become bigger and bigger...
  22. fionaspaperbag
    May 21, 2021
    10
    She deserves all the sucess she’s receiving, its a very strong debut. Only bops!
  23. estcarreras
    May 21, 2021
    10
    queen of pop queen of pop queen of pop queen of pop queen of pop queen of pop
  24. Amandamarques
    May 22, 2021
    10
    O álbum é maravilhoso, consegue captar várias emoções da adolescência com verdade e paixão, Olivia serve boas composições e produção impecável, só queria que o álbum fosse mais longo
  25. alexlbert
    May 21, 2021
    10
    álbum maravilhoso, coeso. uma ótima estreia, essa garota tem tudo pra se tornar um gigante da indústria musical !!! sucesso olivia.
  26. cedricandresco2
    May 21, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a really good album I can feel her pain and her emotions of her break up and every songs on the album is so good you will not be disappointed… Expand
  27. dacostandreia3
    May 21, 2021
    10
    o melhor álbum do ano sem dúvidas. não pulo uma música, amo todas. ela vai longe
  28. henriquesnery
    May 22, 2021
    10
    It's one of the best pop vocal albums I've ever listened to. Other than that, it is almost unbelievable that it's a debut album! The tracks are very honest and everyone can relate to the storytelling. Olivia is changing the industry and its rules.
  29. leonardoaguiar
    May 21, 2021
    10
    Idk when i’d heard a full album like this. Im completelly loving it. Olívia has The fresh in music that we was expecting. She mixes rock, pop, indie, folk and a lot of others rhythms that i really love. Thanks for it, Olívia.
  30. piatke
    May 21, 2021
    10
    Every song is a bop. Lyrical masterpieses. Amazing album. Love it. That's all
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Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Best Album of 2021
11
#11 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. AllMusic
    May 28, 2021
    80
    Her combination of sweet melodies and bitter moods, her conversational flow, and her self-awareness are all skills many songwriters twice her age would love to call their own, and they make Sour a well-rounded emotional journey and strong debut album.
    Read full review
  2. PopMatters
    May 25, 2021
    70
    Sour, for the most part, is a pop album that dips its toes into the alt-pop and bedroom pop subgenres, specifically spending most of its time in the latter. ... Rodrigo's lo-fi deep cuts that were made in the shadow of "Drivers License" can sound a bit repetitive. Her craft as a songwriter is especially evident on tracks like "Enough For You", "Happier", or "Hope Ur Ok", but the acoustic complexion these songs were going for could have benefitted from a bit more background noise.
    Read full review
  3. Exclaim
    May 25, 2021
    80
    By the end of the album, Rodrigo has established her voice and showed listeners that she's not afraid to be vulnerable. SOUR is a strong debut that vividly illustrates the beautiful chaos of being inside a teenage girl's brain.
    Read full review
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