There isn’t an American soul that hasn’t heard the word “sour” since June.

  There isn’t a midnight-sobber that hasn’t heard the words “happier than ever” since July. 

  There isn’t a soul that lived through 2016 without hearing the word “lemonade” beyond the drink. 

  There isn’t a single victim of heartbreak that doesn’t remember the word “anti” being more than a mere prefix. 

  These words were taken beyond their meanings by the most powerful of people: women. 

  Sour is an adjective for a taste, but also Olivia Rodirgo’s debut album. 

  Happier than ever is an emotional desire, but also Billie Eilish’s comeback era’s album.

  Lemonade is good for a summertime get together, but also for Beyonce’s grammy-winning album. 

  Anti could be associated with anything, but Rihanna’s album deserved the rights. 

  These albums have a common theme. Strong, valuable women fall in love only to be taken advantage of. An ending they never saw coming from the beginning. An album they didn’t expect they would need to write. 

  “Sour” is the Olivia Rodrigo album that topped any chart with statistical evidence. It manages the endeavors of teenage heartbreak and betrayal through the eyes of the 17-year-old. What drew other 17-year-olds? The fact that as the album progresses, so do the stages of grief in terms of her cheating ex-boyfriend.. 

  The simple overview that lifestyle is significantly harder for the heartbroken can be seen through “Brutal,” the album’s rock-hard opening. She progressively switches between melancholy, anger, and confusion about the man who couldn’t see the reason to stick with her. 

  “Driver’s License” discusses the gut wrenching misery of losing a love she wished could exist alongside what she achieves. “Good 4 U” is what discusses the anger of being cheated on, in a mannerism expressing the adequate well-being of the cheater compared to the inadequate well-being of Rodrigo. “Deja Vu” is the realization that the cheater copied and pasted his relationship with Rodrigo for his new love, and Rodrigo’s confusion and feelings of betrayal are made evident. 

  Rodrigo soon slides into her insecurities before we hear her acceptance. “Happier” sings her moral hopes that her ex finds happiness in his new love, but she backtracks with hoping he realizes she was always the one for him. In terms of the new girlfriend in the equation, Rodrigo finds herself “picking her apart, like cutting her down will make [him] miss [her] wretched heart.” “Jealousy, Jealousy” discusses Rodrigo’s tendency to wish she was what most teenage girls are in their posts and stories on social media. “Cool vintage clothes and vacation photos.” “Paper white teeth and perfect bodies.” “I wanna be you so bad and I don’t even know you.” 

  The album comes to a bittersweet wrapping with “Favorite Crime.” She tears and unwraps the toxic love she was previously in, comparing it to a criminal and his swing along who didn’t know she was being manipulated. “You used me as an alibi, I crossed my heart as you crossed the line.” “All the things I did just so I could call you mine.” “It’s bittersweet to think about the damage that we’d do, ‘cause I was going down but I was doing it with you.” “Hope Ur Ok” is separate from the album with a love letter to the struggling LGBTQ+ community. “I hope you know how proud I am you were created with the courage to unlearn all of their hatred.”