Within singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo’s announcement of her new album, “you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love,” is an awakening of her fan base, who have been eagerly awaiting her landmark third album. The suggestion of a shift from her typical musical style – from pop-punk ballads to a more introspective and hopeful lens – is particularly exciting for many.
For sophomore Marjorie Brueggemann, the love-related pink messaging of the album reveals that a softer side of Rodrigo is soon to be realised.
“I am so excited about the pivot in style. I do love her grungy, angry and sad music, but I am excited to see what more love songs would look like,” Brueggemann said.
Rodrigo has fed into this excitement with the release of her first single, “Drop Dead,” on April 17, 2026, which portrays the exhilarating feeling of young love amidst a first date. Junior Ethan Figeoura has felt this shift in musical tone reflected in himself.
“I think ever since [Rodrigo] announced the album and the first single, I’ve just been a lot happier too,” Figeoura said.
Rodrigo has long been able to connect with people through her music – building a dedicated and loyal fan base. Rodrigo emerged as an artist in 2019 with her first single, “All I Want.” Previously, her role as an actor in High School Musical helped her make a name for herself.
“I got into her when she released her first album, because I had known her previously from her artwork and [the] High School Musical series,” Figeoura said.
However, this fan base has evolved with her. As Rodrigo has described her experience growing up and grappling with the world, fans have been able to see their own lives portrayed in a meaningful way.
“I resonated with her music in the “Guts” and “Sour” eras because it was the first time I heard someone that was close to my age write about experiences that I was having. I think that I’ve also grown to realize how much her songwriting reflects the experience of teen girls, and now that she is a young adult, I also feel like I can learn from her,” Brueggemann said.
The engaging pull of Rodrigo’s music is adding to the anticipation of her new album in an exciting way for fans. However, this is also a nostalgic release, considering Rodrigo and her listeners are simultaneously growing up. Moving on to a new era of Rodrigo’s music, therefore, exposes tender emotions.
“I definitely think her songwriting is what I appreciate the most, only because I do feel like every time she’s released an album or a song, I’ve definitely been in that state of my life at the same time. Her music definitely played a key role in my life. It just really shaped how I moved into high school and things like that,” Figeoura said.