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WInevitably, the arrival of Olivia Rodrigo’s third album has been accompanied by a strong interpretation of her voice to name Louis Partridge, the British actor whose relationship with the singer ended at the end of last year. One magazine ran a 1,200-word article, complete with captions, adding his music to gossip: the fourth piece they’ve published on the subject in recent months. The British outlet first broke the news that Rodrigo had changed the lyrics to the song Purple, which was once a “very sweet and saccharine” love song, to mark the end of their relationship. In New Delhi, The Hindustan Times weighed in on the rumors that the pair had gotten back together: “Interest in Partridge grew after Rodrigo released his new album as fans believe Stupid Song is about the singer’s relationship with him.”
Well, of course it has: for better or for worse, this kind of fantasy seems to have become a big part of modern pop, and Oliva Rodrigo in particular has been benefiting from the clickbait publicity it brings. Her win for the Drivers License single gained attention due to rumors that her lyrics were about her ex-girlfriends Joshua Bassett and Sabrina Carpenter; Vampire, who led from 2023’s In the intestines they also asked for more ideas on whether the subject is a veteran or Taylor Swift. Indeed, he seems to encourage you: “I don’t talk about my life in interviews or in any group of people, so I think that music is where people go to find out about things,” he recently told an interviewer, a line that seems to have a different “go, fill your shoes” idea about it.
In this context, it is perhaps better to note that the true identity of the subject of You Look Sad for the Girl You Love – a song-cycle that follows the relationship from the initial shame of love to the pain after the breakup – may be the most unpleasant about it. Placing the soundtrack seems beside the point: it’s the most popular album out there.
It represents a well-known and confident representation away from the sound of Guts – My Way itself, where an old friend upsets Rodrigo by refusing to leave, leaning on the fun pop-punk of its founders – instead taking the new wave of the 80s as you can recognize it differently, B-5.
The Cure’s influence is on the rise: a bold move, echoing the raucous voices of young fans in the front row as Robert Smith took to the stage for his Glastonbury headline set. Smith appears again here, arguing with Rodrigo on What’s Wrong With Me? – his unwavering voice combines very well with his – but his presence is felt everywhere, from the words Just Like Heaven at the opening of Drop Dead, to the song called The Cure (Rodrigo has insisted that the title does not belong to the band, but the notes written in the music video look amazing for 80gots + the Meins logo) <3, which - with their twisted basslines and clear guitars - respect Smith and love his pop mode.
Most importantly, from the song-like melody of Stupid Song to the mood swings of Purple – which begins with love and gradually grows anxious – the songs are written well. The songs are catchy, the harmonies arrive in abundance, and the vocals are more expressive and thoughtful than what Rodrigo is known for.
The moment you realize the relationship is over but refuse to take action is lured by the constant interaction on Begged; A few photos have said that the relationship is waning but not irrevocable, full of charming memories: “We tried to recreate our favorite date, but we didn’t laugh so much this time.” He is very funny, especially when he lets the family fall apart. “I met him at a party, I thought he was on drugs / He wasn’t smart or funny, I convinced myself he was,” opens Expectations, before dropping another gossipy, surprising detail: “He had a nice house and a car his parents bought.”
He is smart, intelligent, difficult, sometimes painful to listen to. It is also a logical step from Rodrigo’s previous work. The artist who became famous at the age of 17 and the first album promoted by a concert video designed to look like a high school prom should always grow in public, something that is very difficult to get out: the world is full of pop stars who disappeared into the collective mind when they arrived. But You Look Sad For A Girl So in Love portrays a mature artist with ease: nothing feels forced or uncomfortable. Olivia Rodrigo, the suspect, is in it for the long haul: she’ll be around long after the rumors hit the news yesterday.
