American singer Olivia Rodrigo has announced that her second studio album, GUTS, is set to arrive on September 8, following the major success of her 2021 breakthrough project SOUR. The announcement surfaced after a year that saw Rodrigo rapidly rise to the forefront of contemporary pop through a string of high-profile performances and chart-topping releases.
In a statement distributed by Universal Music, the 2022 Grammy-winning artist for Best New Artist spoke about the emotional focus of the record. She described GUTS as a collection born from the pain of growth and a search to understand who she is at this moment in life. Rodrigo emphasized that the album represents the culmination of experiences gained during a period of immense fame, a span she feels as if she has lived through ten years in just two. The intent behind the project, she explained, is to translate that intense personal evolution into music that resonates with listeners who may be navigating similar paths of self-discovery.
The title itself signals a raw, visceral approach to storytelling. Themes of discomfort and transformation weave through the album as a natural part of maturation. The first single, Vampire, is scheduled for release on June 30, giving fans a first glimpse into the tone and direction of GUTS.
GUTS, a word that translates to viscera in Spanish, will be issued under the Geffen Records umbrella. The project was crafted with longtime collaborator Daniel Nigro, an American composer and producer who also worked with Rodrigo on SOUR. This reunion promises a cohesive sonic thread that fans will recognize while allowing the singer to push her artistry in new directions.
at the level of Rosalia
Rodrigo’s ascent into international stardom happened with remarkable speed, placing her in the ranks of breakthrough artists whose names became synonymous with a new era in pop culture, alongside artists like Billie Eilish and Rosalia. After debuting with the viral hit Driver’s License in early 2021, Rodrigo rapidly established a distinct voice marked by confessional storytelling and melodic hooks that linger long after the track ends.
In 2021, SOUR was widely celebrated and hailed by media outlets such as Rolling Stone as a standout album of the year. Tracks like Good 4 U and Déjà Vu became global phenomena, fueling Rodrigo’s status as one of the most streamed new voices in the English-speaking world. The album’s impact extended beyond streaming numbers, influencing conversations around teenage perspective, artistic honesty, and the volatility of sudden fame.
By 2022, Rodrigo received seven Grammy Award nominations, including four major categories. Those nominations underscored her emergence as a leading new voice in pop music and as a powerful storyteller for a generation. Billboard honored her as Woman of the Year, while ASCAP named her Songwriter of the Year in the Pop category, recognizing the craft behind her lyrical and melodic choices.
Her touring activity in 2022 expanded beyond borders, with performances across more than 40 cities in North America and Europe. This international presence helped solidify Rodrigo’s status as a global artist and demonstrated the demand for her evolving sound as she prepared to release GUTS. The anticipation around the project speaks to the broader cultural moment her music has helped shape, particularly among younger audiences seeking authenticity and emotional resonance in pop.