Influenced by Rodrigo's favorite genres and singer-songwriters, Sour is primarily a pop record that spans from energetic pop punk songs to bedroom pop ballads. Its subject matter centers on adolescence, failed romance, and heartache. She said the album explores her perils and discoveries as a 17-year-old, with its title referring to the "sour" emotions young people experience but are often criticized for, such as anger, jealousy, and unhappiness.
Three singles preceded Sour's release, all of which entered the top three of the US Billboard Hot 100. The lead single, "Drivers License", topped the chart and propelled Rodrigo to mainstream prominence. It was followed by "Deja Vu", which peaked at number 3, and "Good 4 U", the album's second chart-topper. It made Rodrigo the first artist in history to debut their first three singles in the top 10 of the Hot 100, and Sour the first debut album in history to spawn two number-one debuts on the chart. The album broke the global Spotify record for the biggest opening week for an album by a female artist. It topped the charts in several countries, including the US Billboard 200. "Traitor", prior to becoming the fourth single, landed at number nine on the Hot 100 as the fourth top-10 song from the album. Sour was one of the best-selling albums of 2021.
Sour received widespread acclaim upon release, with it being regarded as a solid debut album, underscoring Rodrigo's realistic lyrics and appeal to Generation Z. Various publications listed it among the best albums of 2021, including Billboard and Rolling Stone that placed the album at number one on their year-end rankings. At the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, Sour and "Drivers License" won Best Pop Vocal Album and Pop Solo Performance, respectively; Rodrigo won Best New Artist as well. A YouTube concert film and a Disney+ documentary, titled Sour Prom and Driving Home 2 U respectively, supplement the album. Rodrigo embarked on the Sour Tour, her first headlining concert tour, on April 5, 2022.
Donovan - Epistle to Dippy
— John Peel's Playing Now (@dave_sticko) May 29, 2024
Played On Show 12/07/1967https://t.co/mgilP0QC5L pic.twitter.com/b01NFds4cN
Avril Lavigne - Anything but Ordinary
Avril Lavigne - Everything Back but You
Avril Lavigne - Hello Heartache
Avril Lavigne - I Can Do Better
Avril Lavigne - I Don't Have to Try
Avril Lavigne - Keep Holding On
Avril Lavigne - My Happy Ending
Avril Lavigne - One of Those Girls
Avril Lavigne - The Best Damn Thing
Avril Lavigne - Things I'll Never Say
Avril Lavigne - Too Much to Ask
Avril Lavigne - When You're Gone
Katy Perry - By the Grace of God
Katy Perry - Chained to the Rhythm
Katy Perry - Choose Your Battles
Katy Perry - Every Day Is a Holiday
Katy Perry - Hummingbird Heartbeat
Katy Perry - If You Can Afford Me
Katy Perry - I'm Still Breathing
Katy Perry - International Smile
Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
Katy Perry - Not Like the Movies
Katy Perry - The One That Got Away
Katy Perry - This Is How We Do
Katy Perry - Waking Up in Vegas
Katy Perry - When There's Nothing Left
Katy Perry - Who Am I Living For?
Madonna - Another Suitcase in Another Hall
Madonna - Don't Cry for Me Argentina
Madonna - Drowned World/Substitute for Love
Madonna - Give Me All Your Luvin'
Madonna - Love Don't Live Here Anymore
Madonna - Me Against the Music
Madonna - Nothing Really Matters
Madonna - The Power of Good-Bye
Madonna - This Used To Be My Playground
Madonna - What It Feels Like for a Girl
Avril Lavigne - Anything but Ordinary
Avril Lavigne - Everything Back but You
Avril Lavigne - Hello Heartache
Avril Lavigne - I Can Do Better
Avril Lavigne - I Don't Have to Try
Avril Lavigne - Keep Holding On
Avril Lavigne - My Happy Ending
Avril Lavigne - One of Those Girls
Avril Lavigne - The Best Damn Thing
Avril Lavigne - Things I'll Never Say
Avril Lavigne - Too Much to Ask
Avril Lavigne - When You're Gone
John Mayer - Who You Love (featuring Katy Perry
Katy Perry - By the Grace of God
Katy Perry - Chained to the Rhythm
Katy Perry - Choose Your Battles
Katy Perry - Every Day Is a Holiday
Katy Perry - Hummingbird Heartbeat
Katy Perry - If You Can Afford Me
Katy Perry - I'm Still Breathing
Katy Perry - International Smile
Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
Katy Perry - Not Like the Movies
Katy Perry - The One That Got Away
Katy Perry - This Is How We Do
Katy Perry - Waking Up in Vegas
Katy Perry - When There's Nothing Left
Katy Perry - Who Am I Living For?
Madonna - Another Suitcase in Another Hall
Madonna - Don't Cry for Me Argentina
Madonna - Drowned World/Substitute for Love
Madonna - Give Me All Your Luvin'
Madonna - Love Don't Live Here Anymore
Madonna - Me Against the Music
Madonna - Nothing Really Matters
Madonna - The Power of Good-Bye
Madonna - This Used To Be My Playground
Madonna - What It Feels Like for a Girl
Motorhead - (Don't Let 'em) Grind Ya Down
Motorhead - (Don't Need) Religion
Motorhead - (We Are) The Road Crew
Motorhead - Another Perfect Day
Motorhead - Back at the Funny Farm
Motorhead - Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers
Motorhead - Dancing on Your Grave
Motorhead - Dead Men Tell No Tales
Motorhead - I'll Be Your Sister
Motorhead - I'm Your Witchdoctor
Motorhead - Instro (Instrumental)
Motorhead - Iron Horse / Born to Lose
Motorhead - Keep Us on the Road
Motorhead - Love Me Like a Reptile
Motorhead - Marching Off to War
Motorhead - Nothing Up My Sleeve
Motorhead - Ridin' with the Driver
Motorhead - Shoot You in the Back
Motorhead - Stone Dead Forever
Motorhead - Stone Deaf in the U.S.A
Motorhead - The Chase Is Better Than the Catch