I’ve done a lot of reflecting recently on my last break-up as it’s nearly been a year and he’s completely moved on and started a new life with someone else. I’ve allowed my mind to wonder sometimes and question whether the nicknames they used to call me, and the things we used to do together have transferred into the new relationship. Like is he calling him the same nicknames as he used to call me? Does the new guy think about that too? I thought I was alone, crazy and self absorbed for feeling this way, but Olivia Rodrigo has reassured me that it’s normal to feel this way with her appropriately titled new single ‘deja vu’.
Following on from where ‘Drivers License’ left off, she unravels the thoughts that are circling her inner-monologue as she watches her ex move on as she becomes a faint memory. Seeing their relationship play out publicly she finds herself comparing all the things they did to how he is now doing them, and questions what else he’s adapted from their relationship.
“So when you gonna tell her that we did that too? She thinks it’s special, but it’s all reused. That was the show we talked about. Played you the songs she’s singing now when she’s with you” Rodrigo sings during the second pre-chorus. It’s a very honest reflection on the moving on process of a relationship and the life that they continue to have without you.
Beginning really soft and intimately, she melodically builds a sonic that is reminiscent of Billie Eilish before layering guitars and drums to build a really cinematic production. You can tell that she is a Lorde and Taylor Swift stan because those foundations are certainly present. As soon as the first listen ends you’ll be hitting replay while the hook further gets cemented in your brain.
‘deja vu’ proves that Olivia Rodrigo is no one-hit-wonder. With her debut album slated for May 21, she’s truly making 2021 her year and giving listeners an honest and vulnerable insight to her coming-of-age era.