Background

Released in May 2021 as the opening track of Olivia Rodrigo’s debut album SOUR, “brutal” was written and produced alongside Dan Nigro. The song serves as a high-energy, alt-rock departure from her ballads, co-written by the duo to capture the raw frustrations of modern teenage life.

In this review of Olivia Rodrigo’s “brutal”, I explore how the song accurately depicts the reality of being a teenager today. I look at the angst and rock-and-roll attitude of the track, as well as the sudden awakening the listener feels when the album begins.

The No-Nonsense Essence of Teenage Life

As a millennial, I’m in between Gen X and Gen Z’s opposing points of view related to the quality of life. Overall, while I think the older generation worked harder, the wealth and privilege that accrued to them is disproportionate. If people in my generation or Gen Z exerted the same effort, the personal gain would be less.

So I echo the sentiments of “Brutal”. It admits that being a teenager can actually feel terrible. Many adults tell young people that these are the “best years of their lives” but Olivia Rodrigo effectively argues the opposite. She sings about the immense pressure to be perfect, the social anxiety of “parallel parking”, and the feeling of being exploited by a world that doesn’t truly listen. “Where’s my f*cking teenage dream?”, she spoke for everyone who feels like they are failing at a stage of life that is supposed to be easy and fun.

The song’s power also comes from its blunt and raw delivery, which sounds more like a private vent than a polished pop song. Instead of using fancy metaphors or poetic language, Olivia uses everyday words and a “speaking-singing” style that feels like she is talking directly to a friend. The raw sound works because it doesn’t try to be pretty. It captures the actual noise and chaos of a breakdown, making the emotions feel much more real and urgent.

Not Just a Pop Star, but a Rock Star

“Brutal” stands out because it mixes very different styles of music – pop, punk, alternative and rock. The song starts with a loud, distorted guitar riff, which feels like a punch to the listener. It combines the catchy, easy-to-sing melodies of pop with the messy, angry energy of grunge.

Even though “Brutal” is a rock song, I’ve tried to comprehend why many people still associate Olivia with the pop genre. Maybe it is because she became famous through Disney and her record-breaking pop ballads like “drivers license”. Her songs are also still very catchy and work well on Top 40 radio stations. She writes about relatable teenage themes and has a massive young fan base.

I don’t think she gets all the credit she deserves. But what do I know? I’m simply a consumer and not a producer of music.

An Appropriate Opening

“Brutal” is a perfect opening track because it completely subverts expectations from the very first second. Before the song truly begins, I think I am about to hear another sad ballad like “drivers license”. However, that thought is immediately disrupted by a loud, scratchy electric guitar. By starting the album this way, Olivia tells the listener right away that she is more than just a quiet singer. She is also angry, loud, and ready to surprise.

The song also works because of the intense energy it commands, which is impossible to ignore even if you aren’t paying close attention. The heavy drums and punchy guitar riffs act like a wake-up call that demanded my focus immediately. It doesn’t slowly build up. It explodes.

Conclusion

“brutal” shows that Olivia is more than just a pop star. She is a true rock artist. Right from the start, she uses the song to express her real frustrations and raw emotion.