Olivia Rodrigo credits London and Manchester for inspiring new album

Olivia Rodrigo has opened up about her deep creative connection to London, saying she feels like the “best version” of herself while spending time in the city, which played a major role in shaping her upcoming album You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love.

The 23-year-old pop star said much of the record was written in London, where she found herself inspired by the atmosphere, weather and slower pace of life. 

Speaking to Dazed, Rodrigo reflected on how the city influenced both her songwriting process and emotional headspace during the album’s creation.

“I’m the best version of myself when I’m there,” she said. 

“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 also pointed to Manchester as another unexpected source of inspiration, referencing the city’s rich musical history and its association with iconic bands such as Oasis, The Smiths, Joy Division and The Stone Roses.

The singer, who was born and raised in California, said a visit to Manchester left a lasting impression on her creative outlook.

“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.

The Drivers License hitmaker also revealed that the release of her new album was delayed as she took additional time to refine the project and gain perspective before sharing it with fans.

“Making albums takes a really long time,” she said, explaining that her original plan to release the project earlier was ultimately adjusted. 

“Sometimes you just need a little time and space and perspective.”

Rodrigo has described You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love as her most personal project yet, saying the songs reflect real-life experiences and were written in a more chronological order than her previous work.

She explained that songwriting remains her primary way of processing emotions, with each session in the studio serving as a form of reflection and release.

“I write songs to process my feelings,” she said. “What is burning in me to say right now?”

The singer also noted that the album evolved significantly during its creation, shifting from an initial concept focused on love songs into a more emotionally complex body of work.

“I think initially, I thought that was what the record was going to be, just all love songs,” she said. “And then obviously sadness in a real or more whole way crept its way into the end.”