Olivia Rodrigo Makes Heartbreak Pop

Olivia Rodrigo’s third record, “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love,” is a 13-song concept album that imagines the arc of a young relationship from desperate yearning, to domestic coupling, to eventual dissolution and heartbreak. It might be Album of the Year.

To Wesley Morris, the dating world has only sharpened the 23-year-old’s song craft. Sure, she’s talented and can write a ballad like no other.

But musically and lyrically, she’s evolved. She’s both an old soul and very 2026.

Which, when compared to other current pop stars like Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars and Ariana Grande, makes her really intriguing. All things considered, Wesley has thoughts.

And he couldn’t think of no better conversation partner than pop music journalist Caryn Ganz, who profiled Rodrigo in 2023 and has continued to follow her career closely. Subscribe today at or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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