Olivia Rodrigo Prepares “Experimental” Sad Love Album

Olivia Rodrigo has revealed that her forthcoming album, described as “experimental,” will explore themes of love tinged with melancholy. The singer’s latest comments have intensified speculation over her next musical chapter, following weeks of cryptic pink album teasers spotted by fans in Los Angeles and London.

Rodrigo, who shot to fame with her debut album Sour in 2021, followed up with 2023’s Guts, both of which were met with critical acclaim. Since then, she has performed numerous headline shows worldwide, including her celebrated Glastonbury 2025 appearance on the Pyramid Stage, where she was joined by The Cure’s Robert Smith as a special guest.

In a feature for British Vogue, Rodrigo described her new record as her “most experimental” yet. One track has already been characterised as “smooth, trippy soft rock,” signalling a departure from her earlier, pop-punk-infused style.

“I realised all my favourite romantic love songs were beautiful because they had a tinge of fear or yearning in them,” Rodrigo told the magazine. “This album is full of sad love songs. Writing from joy is much harder – when you’re really happy or connected to someone, you’re not sitting in your head composing bittersweet poetry!”

Rodrigo has spent a considerable amount of time in London during the creation of the album, drawing inspiration from the city’s energy and her own personal experiences there. Her extended stays have coincided with her relationship with British actor Louis Partridge, known for House of Gucci and Enola Holmes.

Robert Smith, reflecting on his Glastonbury collaboration with Rodrigo, told Vogue that he became a fan after hearing her breakout single Drivers License and went on to purchase both Sour and Guts. “Although most of the songs on those albums aren’t aimed at my demographic, they’re impossible not to fall in love with,” he said. Smith hinted at potential future collaborations, adding that Rodrigo often calls him to discuss fashion and that they have shared memorable studio sessions.

Rodrigo’s musical inspirations remain eclectic. While she has long admired The Cure, she has recently found influence in acts such as New Order, Joy Division, The White Stripes, and Bikini Kill. Growing up, her parents’ love for grunge, rock, and alternative music also left a lasting mark on her artistic development.

Fans can anticipate a record that blends Rodrigo’s emotive storytelling with sonic experimentation, marking a bold evolution in her already diverse discography.