By: Wei Qing Lim
I wish I was exaggerating, but my world as I knew it tilted on its axis when Olivia Rodrigo released “driver’s license.” Spotify knows I love Olivia Rodrigo so much that the algorithm has a music section appropriately titled *driver’s license energy* for me. This might be because my Spotify activity has been exclusively “SOUR” since its release in May, and the rare times that I’m not streaming the album, I’m streaming songs by Taylor Swift (so predictable, I know)!
Olivia and I may be two completely different people, but we are both nervous, new drivers that struggle to parallel park and are Swifties in our core. Jokes aside, SOUR isn’t just for the teenage girls on Tik Tok-- everyone can find something they can relate to here. SOUR is the physical manifestation of Olivia’s journal, and it’s as if she has given us permission to read snippets of her entries. It is unhinged, full of love, hope, betrayal, heartbreak, and revenge. It is equal parts vulnerable and empowering. Even if you’ve never experienced any of these things, her songs will make you feel like you have.
SOUR will reveal musings of all sorts. In “hope ur ok,” she tells the story of friends who are struggling with identity, finding self-worth, and relearning the meaning of acceptance. When she says, “hope he took his bad deal & made a royal flush,” you sincerely hope that for him, too.
You are reminded of the perilous power of social media and comparison in “jealousy, jealousy”, and some songs will make you want to cut off a toxic ex that you may or may not have had.
After a solid week of deliberation, I have decided that my favorite song from the album is: “enough for you.” I am a sucker for sad songs, and this HITS the spot. Her lyrics perfectly describe the gut wrenching feeling of heartbreak, confusion, and insecurity. To be able to take such a complex combination of feelings and put it into words is a talent-- I get goosebumps every time I listen to it. If you need a song to add to your sad girl hours playlist, this would be it!
I have so many thoughts about SOUR, but if I have to say one thing: it's a refreshing take on life. It’s hard to appreciate the sweetness of life when you don’t embrace the sour parts, too.
On that note, I’ll wrap up bitesize’s love for the album with Ilona’s “sour” and refreshing summer concoction, inspired by the album ofcourse, UBE LEMONADE! Make one, blast SOUR, and gear up for Hot! Girl! Summer!
bitesize’s favorite songs from the album:
Bri: “happier”
Ilona: “good 4 u"
Wei Qing: “enough for you”
The Recipe - Ube Lemonade
Lemonade:
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup cold water
Mix these until sugar dissolves. Refrigerate for an hour.
Ube Topping
1.5 cups of Ube ice cream
A few ice cubes
Option 1 : You can simply add the ube icecream straight on top of the lemonade.
Option 2: You can also add lemonade and icecream in a blender and blend.
Option 3: I blended the ice cream and some ice to get more of a slushy texture.
Enjoy!