Olivia Rodrigo: London brings out 'best version' of herself
Synopsis
Olivia Rodrigo says London's relentless rain drove her indoors — and straight to the guitar. A significant chunk of her new album was written in the British capital, which she calls the place that brings out the 'best version' of herself. Manchester's legendary music scene left its mark too. Her most personal record yet is also her first to unfold in chronological order.
Key Takeaways
Olivia Rodrigo , 23 , says London brings out the 'best version' of herself and inspired much of her new album.
Her forthcoming record, 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love' , was largely written during her time in London .
Rodrigo also cited Manchester — home of Oasis , The Smiths , and Joy Division — as a creative influence.
The album release was delayed after she initially planned the single for February and the album for June , seeking more 'time and space and perspective'.
She described the album as chronological and rooted in real-life events — a first for her discography.
Singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo has revealed that London is where she feels most creatively alive, describing the British capital as the place that brings out the 'best version' of herself. The 23-year-old California-born artist wrote a significant portion of her forthcoming album, 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love', during her time in the city.
London as Creative Catalyst
Speaking to Dazed magazine, Rodrigo said, 'I'm the best version of myself when I'm there.' She credited the city's famously grey weather as an unlikely muse, adding, 'I wrote lots of the album in London, lots (of it) was inspired by my time there. Maybe it's because it rains so much that all you want to do is be inside with the guitar and write.'
Rodrigo, who previously dated London-born actor Louis Partridge, appears to have found both personal and professional resonance in the city — a connection that has fed directly into her songwriting.
Manchester's Musical Legacy Left Its Mark Too
Beyond London, Rodrigo also cited Manchester as a source of inspiration, according to reports. The city, home to legendary acts including Oasis, The Smiths, Joy Division, and The Stone Roses, left a strong impression on her. 'I spent some time in Manchester a few years ago and it was so rainy I was like, "No wonder so many great bands come out of Manchester,"' she said.
Why the Album Release Was Delayed
Rodrigo initially planned to release the lead single in February and the full album in June, but pushed back the timeline to ensure the project was fully ready. 'Making albums takes a really long time. I initially thought I was going to put the single out in February and the album in June, but I just wanted to get everything really shored up before I put (the single) out. Sometimes you just need a little time and space and perspective,' she explained.
A Chronological, Personal Record
Rodrigo has described 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love' as a deeply personal, chronologically structured album — a first for her. Speaking on the Popcast podcast, she said, 'For the most part, it is chronological and in the order in which it happened in my life and it's the first time that's happened.' She added that her songwriting process is driven by emotional urgency: 'I write songs to process my feelings, so every day when I come and I sit at the piano or I go to the studio, it's like, "What is burning in me to say right now?"'
With the album reflecting real-life events and feelings, and a creative process rooted in two of Britain's most storied musical cities, Rodrigo's next record is shaping up to be her most intimate yet.
Point of View
She is signalling that 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love' will be a rawer, more guitar-forward record than 'GUTS'. The chronological structure she describes is also a significant artistic choice: it trades the curated emotional arc of a conventional pop album for something closer to a diary. Whether that vulnerability translates to commercial staying power — or becomes a liability in a streaming landscape that rewards instant hooks — is the real question her rollout will answer.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Olivia Rodrigo feel like her 'best version' in London?
Rodrigo told Dazed magazine that London brings out the best in her creatively, attributing it partly to the city's rainy weather, which she says makes her want to stay indoors and write. She wrote a large portion of her new album there.
What is Olivia Rodrigo's new album called?
Her new album is titled 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love'. Rodrigo has described it as her most personal record, structured chronologically to reflect real-life events in the order they occurred.
Why was Olivia Rodrigo's new album delayed?
Rodrigo had initially planned to release the lead single in February and the full album in June, but decided she needed more time to ensure everything was ready. She said she wanted 'a little time and space and perspective' before releasing the project.
What did Olivia Rodrigo say about Manchester?
Rodrigo said she spent time in Manchester and was struck by how rainy it was, remarking that it explained why so many great bands — including Oasis, The Smiths, Joy Division, and The Stone Roses — emerged from the city.
How is Olivia Rodrigo's new album different from her previous work?
According to Rodrigo, 'You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love' is the first album she has structured chronologically, reflecting real-life events in the order they happened. She described the songwriting process as emotionally driven, guided by what she felt compelled to say on any given day.
