Olivia Rodrigo has The Cure for sadness

2026-06-15 · 43 min · 11 entities

episode page audio

Asserted relationships

→ discusses Music concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music
→ hosted by Vox Media Podcast Network company

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Vox Media Podcast Network
→ discusses Music Commentary concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music Commentary
→ discusses Music Interviews concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music Interviews
→ discusses Music History concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music History
→ hosted by Vulture company

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Vulture

Entities found in this episode

concepts 7

mentioned Music Commentary concept

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music Commentary
mentioned Music Interviews concept

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music Interviews
mentioned Music History concept

0.50

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music History
discusses Music concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music
discusses Music Commentary concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music Commentary
discusses Music Interviews concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music Interviews
discusses Music History concept

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Music History

companys 4

mentioned Vox Media Podcast Network company

0.70

evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Vox Media Podcast Network
mentioned Vulture company

0.70

evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Vulture
hosted by Vox Media Podcast Network company

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Vox Media Podcast Network
hosted by Vulture company

0.40

evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Vulture

Episode description as stored

Olivia Rodrigo is back with her third studio album, you seem pretty sad for a girl in love. As the title might suggest, it’s a deeply personal affair, with moody soundscapes supporting hyper-detailed lyrics of soul-wrenching depth. This album is a meditation on desire, and intriguingly, the letdown that can occur when desire is fulfilled. Each track is haunted by a band that basically invented the idea of unfulfilled longing, The Cure, who receive multiple direct shout-outs and numerous subtle references. But the album isn’t a tribute, or a rip-off. It’s a continuation of the voice Rodrigo has been developing ever since she debuted “drivers license” in 2021. It’s a sound distinctly her own, with signature techniques to match. The “re-verse” in “Drop Dead,” which we discussed in a prior episode, and a spiraling structure that keeps listeners waiting and waiting for the final word. Tune in to hear how Olivia channels her gothic predilections and fastidious lyrical craft into a powerful emotional payoff. Songs discussed: Olivia Rodrigo - drop dead, stupid song, u + me = <3, purple, the cure, begged, what’s wrong with me, less, expectations, cigarette smoke, drivers license, vampire The Cure - Just Like Heaven, Friday I’m in Love David Byrne - drivers license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices