Olivia Rodrigo released a track titled maggots for brains, which a guitar tutor and gear reviewer examined on Sunday to analyze its surprising appeal to classic rock guitarists.
Writing for gearnews, the 24-year-old guitar tutor argues that despite typically listening to The Beatles and Whitesnake while driving a 1969 Triumph Herald, the track contains enough strong guitar elements to win over classic rock players. Being the young 24-year-old that the author is, people might expect artists such as Olivia Rodrigo to be right up their street, but that is not the case.
- The song features a repeating 1980s-style lead guitar part heavily driven by digital chorus effects.
- The fundamental chord progression relies on A, F#m, and D, providing beginner players with solid barre chord practice.
- The track includes a complete single-string guitar solo played by the artist herself rather than a session musician.
The column reports that the track evokes a 1980s aesthetic reminiscent of The Cure and New Order. The lead guitar part repeats throughout the verses, offering players substantial playing time. Playing the track through a Stratocaster with single coils on position 2 of the pickup selector gives you a really nice tone that captures the feel of the track.
The piece notes that the harmonic progression centers around A, F#m, and D before returning to A. This structure gives players an opportunity to practice barre chords on the F#m. While the author criticizes most modern pop for harmonic hollowness, this specific arrangement makes for an accessible beginner exercise.
The author notes receiving requests from students all the time, especially from younger players who want to learn bland material from the likes of Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, or whatever appears on their TikTok feed.
Online criticism followed the release of live clips showing the singer performing the track’s guitar solo. The analysis points out that technique could be improved with alternate picking to tidy up the quaver rhythm.
| Element | Gear and Technique Details |
|---|---|
| Effects | Digital chorus, comparable to a Boss Katana |
| Guitar | Stratocaster with single coils, pickup position 2 |
| Chords | A, F#m, D progression |
| Solo | Single-string melody in quavers |
For players wanting to emulate the sound, the review suggests utilizing digital chorus pedals and single-coil guitar setups. The publication runs affiliate links for gear recommendations supporting the new wave guitar tone.
