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. beatrizaras
    May 23, 2021
    9
    it’s very different throughout the album and her vocals match the pain in the lyrics... i love it
  2. afteraoty
    May 23, 2021
    10
    i nominate to aoty! Olivia has shown a lot of her potential and has everything to have a successful career, it is obvious that she will come out of the awards with her hands full!i nominate to aoty! Olivia has shown a lot of her potential and has everything to have a successful career, it is obvious that she will come out of the awards with her hands full!
  3. thiagossaguiar
    May 23, 2021
    10
    Sour é uma mistura de sentimentos, você consegue sentir a insegurança e medos de olivia mesmo sem nunca ter passado por ele, e se passou isso volta a tona por 30 minutos de músicas impecáveis, o álbum fala um pouco mais do que o ex de olivia rodrigo, fala abertamente sobre homofobia, sobre inseguranças, sobre a vida perfeita das pessoas na internet e o impactos nas pessoas, sobre aSour é uma mistura de sentimentos, você consegue sentir a insegurança e medos de olivia mesmo sem nunca ter passado por ele, e se passou isso volta a tona por 30 minutos de músicas impecáveis, o álbum fala um pouco mais do que o ex de olivia rodrigo, fala abertamente sobre homofobia, sobre inseguranças, sobre a vida perfeita das pessoas na internet e o impactos nas pessoas, sobre a ansiedade e a perca da juventude na pandemia, etc.… Expand
  4. leumassregor
    May 24, 2021
    7
    A lot of songs on here are a hit or miss. The faster paced songs like good 4 u, deja vu, or brutal are fun and catchy to listen to, however the slower tracks like traitor, 1 step forward 3 steps back, and favorite crime can be a bit boring or bland.

    The best part about this album, however, are the lyrics. They are beautifully written and filled with different metaphors and word play    A lot of songs on here are a hit or miss. The faster paced songs like good 4 u, deja vu, or brutal are fun and catchy to listen to, however the slower tracks like traitor, 1 step forward 3 steps back, and favorite crime can be a bit boring or bland.

    The best part about this album, however, are the lyrics. They are beautifully written and filled with different metaphors and word play that really gets you thinking and can also get you emotional.

    The best track on this album has to be hope ur okay. It is incredibly sad and is written beautifully. This is very good for a debut album, and I hope to see more from Olivia.    … Expand
  5. erikpedro
    Jun 22, 2021
    10
    Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, **** on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it.
  6. judedward
    May 24, 2021
    10
    An incredible debut that combines multiple sonic influences with a steady theme. the sky is the limit for this artist.
  7. dejavudrivin
    May 24, 2021
    10
    Sour made me cry my heart out to my non existent ex so thank you olivia for that one
  8. JaneReddington
    May 25, 2021
    10
    This is is a brilliant debut album from a very talented 18 year old. The album is very mature and cohesive, the production is great and every song is well thought-out and adds to the projects as a whole. There are no filler songs and it really feels like care was taken to produce a great body of work that can be enjoyed all the way through. My favourite songs are Traitor, Enough for YouThis is is a brilliant debut album from a very talented 18 year old. The album is very mature and cohesive, the production is great and every song is well thought-out and adds to the projects as a whole. There are no filler songs and it really feels like care was taken to produce a great body of work that can be enjoyed all the way through. My favourite songs are Traitor, Enough for You and Deja Vu but there isn't a song I don't love. One of the best albums of the year and for this to be her debut just makes it a bigger achievement. One recommendation - listen to her song 'All I Want' - it's a part of the soundtrack to her Disney show but she wrote it herself and it's really stellar. I did not expect it to be so good! I'm really looking forward to her work in future, I became a fan!… Expand
  9. Carolmsp
    May 25, 2021
    7
    A great debut album, Olivia is a gifted songwriter and have so much potential. But, big part of the songs in the album sound like the same, and talk about similar experiences. Loved all the main singles, but i think she picked a weak set list.
  10. sammiconger
    May 25, 2021
    10
    This album embodies what it means to be a teenager. Even though that specific narrative is so cliche, she somehow has completely reinvented it and made it completely her own. Her influence from Taylor Swift is clear in her songwriting, taking a strong feeling and making it clear sonically, expelling emotion throughout her singing voice and her lyrics. The beginning track is strong andThis album embodies what it means to be a teenager. Even though that specific narrative is so cliche, she somehow has completely reinvented it and made it completely her own. Her influence from Taylor Swift is clear in her songwriting, taking a strong feeling and making it clear sonically, expelling emotion throughout her singing voice and her lyrics. The beginning track is strong and powerful, with arguably one of the best lines from the album: "And I'm so sick of seventeen / where's my **** teenage dream? If someone tells me one more time "enjoy your youth", I'm gonna cry." - Then, she sings about heartache, what she's gone through in her teen years through her own experience, yet making it completely general so anyone can take her words and make them their own. It's a heartbreak album with angst, and quite honestly, no artist should ever shy away from what they really want to write about, and I'm glad Rodrigo did just that. Her talent is clear with her first three debut singles going straight to number one, thus making history as a woman musician. She is here to change the world, and we are merely just watching and listening as she does so. One of the best albums of 2021, and we only get to see her grow from here. 10/10.… Expand
  11. Kemperb
    May 25, 2021
    9
    Inspiration is the name of the game when it comes to SOUR. Ultimately, the sounds are fresh and fun, but sometimes the style can get a little lost in the content and can shy away from one clear focus. Production is absolutely amazing with lots of different sounds mixing together to make one of the best pop records of the year so far.
  12. leovmm11
    May 25, 2021
    9
    Very good album! Loved the duality of the more energetic songs and the slower and calmer songs! It’s a rlly good album in general :p fav song is either: “good 4 u” or “favorite crime”
  13. Ingperez9
    May 25, 2021
    10
    The best album ever for a teenage girl!!! And olivia had such a beautiful voice!!
  14. ChrisD2019
    May 25, 2021
    10
    SOUR is a masterpiece. You go in expecting it to be like: "whatever *shrug*", but it surprises tf outta you and turns out to be amazing. Olivia deserves all the Grammys and other awards for this absolute once in a decade album. 10/10 would recommend everyone to listen to it.
  15. gabsousaaaa
    May 25, 2021
    10
    best album of 2021, i said what i said and you cant disagree with me . deal with it.
  16. trisdebelen
    May 26, 2021
    10
    The artistry and songwriting in this album are exceptional. Olivia Rodrigo has the ability to pick you up and place you into her universe, let you into her world, but you feel everything and you relate and understand. There are so few who understand this type of music. The quality of her songs is amazing. Her influence with pop-rock shows in her songs Brutal and Good 4 U but she also hasThe artistry and songwriting in this album are exceptional. Olivia Rodrigo has the ability to pick you up and place you into her universe, let you into her world, but you feel everything and you relate and understand. There are so few who understand this type of music. The quality of her songs is amazing. Her influence with pop-rock shows in her songs Brutal and Good 4 U but she also has the ability to slow it down with power ballads that can make your heartache. There is a rawness in the emotions that she aims to convey and she successfully does. Olivia Rodrigo has versatility and it shows in this amazing debut album. The world should watch out for what else she can bring.… Expand
  17. xuxuba
    May 27, 2021
    7
    To be honest, i thought it was kinda off the first time i heard. some of the lyrics are kinda meh but the beats are very nice and well produced! i dont understand people who're saying she just wrote about love and heartbroken things, actually theres songs in this album who says about something else like "hope ur okay" and "jealousy, jealousy." overall is a good listening, easily one of theTo be honest, i thought it was kinda off the first time i heard. some of the lyrics are kinda meh but the beats are very nice and well produced! i dont understand people who're saying she just wrote about love and heartbroken things, actually theres songs in this album who says about something else like "hope ur okay" and "jealousy, jealousy." overall is a good listening, easily one of the best albums of the year.… Expand
  18. NourIsACritic
    May 28, 2021
    9
    Definitely Pop album of the year. Wish some of the songs were more upbeat but overall absolutely relatable and fun. So excited for this emerging new artist.
  19. mtanzer8
    May 30, 2021
    9
    Like come on!!!! This is how you make a debut album. Favorite Crime and 1 Step Forward...3 Steps Back are my faves.
  20. blackpinkicons
    May 30, 2021
    10
    olivia is the next main pop girl. wbk. she gave us EVERYTHING with this album. she is a legend, an icon, a star, and she is the moment. already ended the other girlies iktr
  21. leyzeen
    Jun 2, 2021
    8
    Somewhat of an unadventurous record, but Olivia's singing and the complementary production elevates the impact of what would otherwise have been an ordinary "teenage" indie/ballad album. Raw and emotional, and there's a lot of feeling behind each word and lyric that Olivia sings. There's also a variety of punk-pop/rock to stray the album away from staleness, and it definitely makes theSomewhat of an unadventurous record, but Olivia's singing and the complementary production elevates the impact of what would otherwise have been an ordinary "teenage" indie/ballad album. Raw and emotional, and there's a lot of feeling behind each word and lyric that Olivia sings. There's also a variety of punk-pop/rock to stray the album away from staleness, and it definitely makes the whole thing feel less redundant. Overall an impressive debut album from such a young talent, and I can't wait to see what else she has to offer as she matures as an artist.… Expand
  22. criticetalica
    Jun 3, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This album really gives a specials vibe with many different beats and how each song stands out on it's own. I would have liked it more if she showed her emotions and made more songs like Drivers License, Traitor, and Happier which shows how much she is hurting and how the breakup went. Her lyrics was the best and just like her idol, Taylor Swift. I give Oliva a round of applause with this album because it is one of the few albums that has no skips and are all equally great.… Expand
  23. cturagot
    Jun 9, 2021
    10
    My daughter showed me this album and I really love it. Olivia Rodrigo is really someone to watch. Album of the year
  24. Dunsweet21
    Jun 12, 2021
    10
    A menina mulher mostrou que veio para ficar e competir com os grandes nomes da música mundial.
  25. glitterbible
    Jun 13, 2021
    8
    This album is great! All the tracks are cohesive and well put together. I feel like lyrically it could be better but it’s her debut afterall.
  26. Johnsss
    Jun 19, 2021
    10
    It's beautiful, exactly what teenagers feel everytime, that is new and original
  27. Comia
    Jun 25, 2021
    10
    Love it. This is as captivating as can be. I have it on repeat since release and would continue to be.
  28. JamesO2002
    Jun 28, 2021
    7
    It's a good album. Strong vocals and great production and instrumentation though I find some of the distortion effects on the vocals a little harsh. My main issue is the theme. Every song is a sad love song. It gets a little boring by the time you get to the end of the album. With that said, I think this album is a solid start for a singer/songwriter who is right at the start of herIt's a good album. Strong vocals and great production and instrumentation though I find some of the distortion effects on the vocals a little harsh. My main issue is the theme. Every song is a sad love song. It gets a little boring by the time you get to the end of the album. With that said, I think this album is a solid start for a singer/songwriter who is right at the start of her career. She has plenty time to mature her songwriting themes and maybe her next album will be score an 8 or higher,… Expand
  29. lipehbryant
    Jun 29, 2021
    10
    vulnerable and sentimental, Olivia drowns in her sour feelings and brings flavors that young people in her teens experience.
  30. caszztro
    Jul 6, 2021
    8
    Has some really good tracks such as "brutal", "deja vu" and "jealousy, jealousy" and then has total letdowns and disappointments like "enough for you" and "hope ur ok". Good album, but lacks cohesion.
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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.
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  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.
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  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.
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