Lynda Andrea

A common critique I am seeing is that Olivia is still “tangled in her teen angst instead of growing up.” This is disappointing to read as that is what the entire message of this album is attempting to get at—you can take your time. You don’t have to be what everyone else thinks you should be. You don’t have to give everyone what they want out of you. Giving into the societal pressure to grow up is what kills our joy as adults. This album actually reflects Olivia’s great maturity at her age. “Teenage Dream” shows she is acutely self-aware of not yet, “growing up” as she states, “when I will I stop beyond wise beyond my years and just start being wise” Don’t you think someone that is aware enough to write something like that is, in fact, wise enough to write more “sophisticated” and “intelligent” music? Absolutely. But she chooses not to. And that is what makes her so great. By the way, just note—it’s actually what Taylor Swift has done, deliberately choosing not to be what everyone wanted her to be. And that is why she has seen the unprecedented success she has had. I think if Olivia just improves her lyrical craft, she might be able to get there too. (Reason for 4 stars instead of 5)