Hot off her recent EP “love & limerance,” Olivia O’Brien is already churning out new music. Known for viral hits “Josslyn,” “Empty,” and “hate u love u,” O’Brien’s “out of your league (i want you so bad)” is the newest messy girl anthem.
O’Brien has been releasing music since 2015. After four EPs, her highly anticipated debut album “was it even real?” (2019) solidified her place in the industry. She toured for the record through 2021, and since, she has only headlined one sold-out show at New York City’s The Racket.
After receiving positive feedback for “love & limerance,” O’Brien shocked her audience with a single announcement just months after the EP’s release, which did not include any announcement of an accompanying tour. It is unclear whether the single exists as a one-off or if it will precede an album, EP, or tour announcement. Nevertheless, fans are anxiously awaiting O’Brien’s next move.
O’Brien comes in hot on “out of your league (i want you so bad).” “I know I’m too much for you, I know I’m too cool,” she boasts, “F*cked around and you finally flew too close to the sun.” The familiar melody repeats as she breezes through the first verse, with synth backing instrumentals reminiscent of Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck Babe.” Switching chords and speeding up at the pre-chorus, O’Brien invites the listener to understand her troubling moral debacle. “When people see me with you they say ‘Oh no… How could she ever be stooping so low?’” Descending into the chorus, she sings, “Baby, I’m out of your league (but I want you so bad…), you’re a little f*cking freak (it’s objectively sad)…” O’Brien is mortified at the extent of her attraction to this person who blatantly fails to meet her standards. She knows the idea of associating with them would reflect negatively on her, however, this fact makes her want them even more.
This theme continues throughout the second verse. “My best friend, she hates your guts. She thinks that you’re dangerous. Well, good thing I don’t mind rough.” All forces suggest she should run for the hills. Yet, this reverse psychology only pushes her toward what she knows is objectively a bad decision. One standout line, “It’s a blessing and a curse to know I already had the worst,” conveys O’Brien’s relief and comfort that she can be aware of this person’s inadequacy. An “I can only go up from here” mindset, if you will. “You’re like a fun little game it feels so good just to play,” she sings, suggesting she’s enjoying the unpredictability of this relationship. “When I decide to respect myself, oh, I’ll just walk away.” She knows she has every ability to drop her things and leave, but she comes back for more simply because she can, and doesn’t have anything to lose. “I’ll just walk away but you’ll beg me to stay.” This toxic yet thrilling cycle is an ego boost for O’Brien, and possibly the most rewarding part of it all.
It is worth mentioning that messing with a person’s feelings in any way is not the most morally redeemable of actions. However, the feeling of defying other’s expectations is sometimes too satisfying an opportunity to pass up. Perhaps this is because O’Brien is convinced she can prove everyone — including herself — wrong. Plus, it feels good to want what she shouldn’t. The stakes are low. Considering the audience is reasoned to believe her partner is crappy toward her anyway, there’s not much room for the listener to empathize. The concept of going against our peers — and our own — beliefs and assumptions about a suitor is a common experience, one that Sabrina Carpenter’s hit song “Please, Please, Please,” also plays with. O’Brien’s latest single pulls from many trending themes: being “delusional,” ignoring consequences, and overall being shifty and chaotic in a way that is entertaining and relatable to the listener.
Although “out of your league” is a pivot from the musical tones toward which O’Brien typically gravitates — pettiness, resentment, etc. — she is certainly aiming herself toward success with this thematic shift considering the relevance of the track’s mood and message. Fans can now hope for a future O’Brien project of a similar style. Being menacing in a cute, girly, silly way has earned many artists hits recently. Their actions are plausible because they’re relatable and relatively insignificant. “out of your league” establishes O’Brien within the current summer 2024 narrative that promotes the brattiest, messiest, most confident behavior that music fans can’t get enough of.