stayc main image

Sabrina Carpenter: Rising Beyond Challenges to Shine in the Music World

November 13, 2024

Sabrina Carpenter’s journey from a young Disney star to a full-fledged pop sensation is a story of resilience, evolution, and unwavering passion. More than just an actress-turned-singer, Carpenter...

Read more
stayc main image

Mitski: Redefining Modern Womanhood Through Music

November 13, 2024

In today’s music scene, few artists capture the complexities of womanhood as honestly as Mitski Miyawaki. Known simply as Mitski, she’s become a powerful voice for the modern woman, exploring...

Read more
stayc main image

The Artistry and Impact of Raye: A Dynamic Voice in Modern Pop Music

November 13, 2024

British singer-songwriter Raye, born Rachel Agatha Keen, has carved out a distinct space in the contemporary music scene with her soul-stirring lyrics and unique voice. Known for her candidness and...

Read more
stayc main image

Unlocking the Art of Confessional Songwriting with Gracie Abrams

November 13, 2024

In an industry bursting with noise, Gracie Abrams has mastered the rare art of making listeners lean in. Her songs, built on confessional storytelling, cut through the clutter by speaking directly...

Read more
stayc main image

Olivia Rodrigo: Giving Voice to Gen-Z's Fear, Anger, and Anxiety

November 13, 2024

Olivia Rodrigo’s music resonates deeply with Gen-Z. Her songs—raw, fierce, and honest—are filled with fear, anger, and anxiety, emotions that define the reality of today’s teens. As much as we’d...

Read more
stayc main image

How Taylor Swift Masterminded Her Way to Global Success

November 11, 2024

Taylor Swift’s success is no accident; it's built on an unmatched knack for songwriting. According to Toby Koenigsberg, Associate Professor and Chair of Popular Music, Swift’s songs are both...

Read more
stayc main image

Frank Ocean’s Coachella Set: Redefining What Live Performance Means

November 11, 2024

In today’s music landscape, live concert broadcasts have grown increasingly predictable, packaged, and polished. But at this year’s Coachella, Frank Ocean shattered the mold with a performance that...

Read more
stayc main image

Anticipating Lil Durk's Deep Thoughts: A Deep Dive into His Upcoming Album

November 11, 2024

The Chicago rapper Lil Durk is out with his ninth studio album Deep Thoughts on 22nd November 2024. This album is a follow-up to his album Almost Healed (2023) and will have no shortage of eager...

Read more
stayc main image

Morgan Wallen: From Small Town Dreamer to Country Superstar

November 11, 2024

Morgan Wallen's country music career has been one of hustle, raw talent, and the sort of sound that has changed the genre. Wallen began his career as a small-town visionary but his music never...

Read more
stayc main image

From McDonald’s to Global Fame: Pharrell Williams Journey

November 11, 2024

Pharrell Williams' journey from a McDonald's employee to a global music icon, fashion mogul, and cultural influencer is a testament to talent, resilience, and innovation. His story is not just...

Read more
stayc main image

The Rise and Achievements of Travis Scott: From Mixtape Maven to Global Icon

November 11, 2024

Travis Scott (born Jacques Bermon Webster II) is one of the most influential artists of his generation and he has transformed the music scene with his cross-genre sound, innovative marketing, and...

Read more
stayc main image

How Charli XCX Redefined 'Brat' in Pop Culture

November 9, 2024

In a world where pop icons often aim for flawless personas, Charli XCX has taken a different route, embracing a new brand of "brattiness" that redefines what it means to be....

Read more

Olivia Rodrigo: Giving Voice to Gen-Z's Fear, Anger, and Anxiety

stayc main image

Olivia Rodrigo’s music resonates deeply with Gen-Z. Her songs—raw, fierce, and honest—are filled with fear, anger, and anxiety, emotions that define the reality of today’s teens. As much as we’d like to believe our generation isn’t shaped by these feelings, the truth is that we are. Rodrigo’s music not only reflects this reality but helps Gen-Z process and validate these complex emotions.

Fear: A Generation Born Into Uncertainty

Fear is an undeniable part of Gen-Z’s experience. We were born post-9/11, a time marked by heightened national security and a sense of global instability. We grew up hearing about economic recessions, some of us learning about “wants” versus “needs” in elementary school. For many, the worry about scarcity and the future was introduced early on.

But perhaps most distressing is the fear we feel in places meant to be safe, like our schools. The shadow of school shootings looms over our daily lives, creating a sense of anxiety that’s difficult to shake. The fear of tragedy in our classrooms, compounded by the pressures of social media and global instability, defines the reality of many teens today.

Anger: A Generation’s Fight for Change

Living with this constant fear has naturally fueled anger within our generation. We’re tired of the chaos and lack of security, and that frustration is being channeled into movements for change. We saw the emergence of the #MeToo movement and the rise of Black Lives Matter, powerful statements against systemic issues that have hurt and silenced people for too long. Through social media, Gen-Z has found a platform for expressing our collective anger and making it heard around the world.

Rodrigo captures this fury in her music, giving voice to a generation that’s fed up with the status quo and determined to demand change.

Anxiety: The Unseen Burden

Our generation’s reality is marked by relentless anxiety—anxiety about the future, our safety, and our worth. With constant comparisons and unrealistic beauty standards flooding social media, we’re caught in a cycle of self-doubt. Rodrigo’s song “Jealousy, Jealousy” perfectly encapsulates this: “I’d rather be, rather be anyone, anyone else.” This line reflects the struggle of feeling never quite “enough” in a world obsessed with curated images and perfection.

And it’s not just personal insecurities. For many of us, social media determines social standing at school, making it impossible to “opt-out” without risking our friendships. The pressure is unrelenting, and unlike previous generations, we rarely feel we have the privacy to navigate these challenges on our own. Parents’ access to our locations, passwords, and online profiles adds to the pressure, often without addressing the real concerns we face online.

The Disconnect: A Generation Seeking to Be Heard

Despite our overwhelming need for mental health support, many teens feel unable to open up to adults. Rodrigo’s music has become a bridge for us—a way to process our emotions when traditional support systems fall short. Many parents come from a generation where mental health wasn’t openly discussed, and some still dismiss these issues as “youth angst” rather than real struggles.

Olivia Rodrigo, however, has tapped into what we’re feeling, helping teens everywhere feel understood. In “Brutal,” she voices this frustration, singing, “If someone tells me one more time ‘enjoy your youth,’ I’m gonna cry.” For us, youth isn’t carefree—it’s filled with uncertainty. Rodrigo’s lyrics capture this reality and validate our struggles.

Music as a Unifying Force for Gen-Z

Rodrigo’s music doesn’t just resonate—it unites. Her lyrics have created a global support network of teens who understand each other’s struggles. As mental health conversations become more normalized, teens are forming stronger support systems, often comforting each other through moments of anxiety and stress.

When teens help each other through panic attacks or provide an understanding ear, we’re building the community we often wish adults would give us. Rodrigo’s music has helped foster this shift, proving that we’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed and unheard.

Conclusion: A Voice for Gen-Z

Olivia Rodrigo’s songs give voice to Gen-Z’s fears, anger, and anxiety. Her art reflects not only our struggles but our strength in facing these challenges. Her music serves as a powerful reminder that we’re not isolated in our experiences; instead, we’re part of a generation learning to navigate a complex world together. Through her lyrics, Rodrigo has made it clear that our fears, anger, and anxiety matter—and that our voices deserve to be heard.