Olivia Rodrigo’s highly anticipated single, “drop dead,” was released on April 17, offering a glimpse into her upcoming album “you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love.” But instead of pushing her sound forward, it feels like she is settling into something a little too familiar.
At its core, “drop dead” is about the all-consuming, slightly embarrassing kind of crush. The kind where you’re stalking their Instagram, comparing star signs and building an entire relationship in your head before you’ve even had a real conversation — we’ve all been there. Rodrigo leans into this giddy, obsessive feeling, singing about how she feels “the most alive I have ever been,” while also noting the nauseating moment where you finally get what you wanted and realize it might not live up to the fantasy in your head.
The song is an obvious nod to her now ex-boyfriend, Louis Partridge. Given that Partridge is a Gemini and Rodrigo is a Pisces, her line “Pisces and a Gemini / But I think we might go really nice together,” feels a little too specific to ignore. It adds a more personal layer to the track and has raised questions among her fans.
This emotional chaos is where Rodrigo usually shines. However, the track did not grab my attention and seems to fall under the standard pop umbrella. Compared to the angst and rawness that made “SOUR” and “GUTS” feel so distinctive, this track ultimately falls short.
Her new single trades in the raw, guitar-heavy anguish that made “GUTS” so compelling for a glossy synth-pop sound that we’ve all heard before. While I appreciate the dreamy, romantic and nostalgic aesthetic, this song lands her in a space that’s already crowded. It’s hard not to hear shades of Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan, both of whom are playing into a similar synth-heavy, hyper-feminine pop aesthetic.
I understand that she’s trying something different, but I didn’t expect her to conform to what everyone else is doing — especially when she’s proven she can do the opposite. Between her rock-leaning tracks and live performances with Weezer, Robert Smith, Avril Lavigne and No Doubt, it felt like she was building toward something sharper, louder and maybe even more alternative. “drop dead” isn’t interested in that. It sands everything down into something sleek and easy to listen to.
To be fair, the song is catchy and structured well. It’s easy to put on and easy to replay. In her music video, she’s running around the entire time, which matches the song’s energy perfectly: fast, obsessive and a little overwhelming. “drop dead” accurately aims to capture the hearts of her target audience, full of teenage girls, young adults and anyone navigating messy emotions and relationships.
I am not writing off her upcoming album. As someone who has been watching and listening to Olivia Rodrigo since her time on Disney Channel, I know she is capable of surprising people. But her new single raises more questions than it answers: is this the actual direction of her upcoming album? Did she miss her chance to be different? Or will she shock us?
Her full album, “you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love” will include 14 songs and is scheduled for release on June 12.
