If you’ve been staring at your purple "GUTS" vinyl and wondering if your bank account is about to take another hit, you aren't alone. The internet is basically a pressure cooker of theories right now. Honestly, the question isn't just is Olivia Rodrigo coming out with a new album, but rather, how soon can we realistically expect to be screaming new lyrics in our cars?
The short answer? Yes. It’s happening.
Olivia has already ditched the "GUTS" rings and swapped her signature purple aesthetic for a sharp, bloody red. If you’ve been following the breadcrumbs, you know she doesn't do anything by accident. From cryptic website updates to very specific "studio meals," the transition into the OR3 era is officially in motion.
The "Drivers License" Anniversary and the 2026 Timeline
Let’s talk about the giant elephant in the room: January 8, 2026. This date marked the fifth anniversary of "drivers license," the song that turned Olivia from a Disney kid into a global powerhouse overnight. Everyone expected a massive album drop. Instead, we got a "Driver's License Application For Renewal" on her website and a cover series featuring David Byrne.
Kinda a letdown? Maybe for some. But it actually tells us a lot.
Usually, when an artist starts "renewing" their brand, the music follows shortly after. Olivia told NYLON in late 2025 that she thinks "2026 is going to be a busy year." She didn't say it would be a "chill year of sitting on the couch." She said busy. In the world of pop superstars, "busy" almost always translates to a rollout, a press junket, and a tour.
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We also have to look at her patterns. SOUR dropped in May 2021. GUTS landed in September 2023. That’s a roughly two-year gap. If she sticks to the script, we are arguably overdue for a lead single.
Salmon, Studios, and New Sounds
Olivia confirmed she was back in the studio in October 2025 during a partnership with American Express. This wasn't some "I'm thinking about writing" vibe. It was a "now I'm home and I'm working on my new album" vibe.
She even shared a weirdly specific detail that fans have latched onto: her studio diet.
- SOUR era: Burritos.
- GUTS era: Bean and cheese tacos.
- OR3 era: Salmon.
"I'm getting healthier as I get older," she joked. It sounds trivial, but for a songwriter who treats her albums like time capsules of her life, a shift in "energy" (and diet) usually signals a shift in the music. She’s told ELLE that she’s experimenting with "new sounds and new stories." We might be moving away from the high-octane pop-punk of "ballad of a homeschooled girl" and into something more "mature."
There are even rumors she’s been listening to a lot of The Cure and New Order. Imagine Olivia Rodrigo doing 80s-inspired post-punk. That’s a shift most people wouldn't see coming, but it fits the red-and-black aesthetic she’s been sporting lately.
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What’s the Hold Up?
Why hasn't she just dropped the thing?
Writing a third album is notoriously hard. It’s the "make or break" record. Olivia has admitted that she felt a ton of pressure during the GUTS sessions to top SOUR. Now, she’s a three-time Grammy winner with nothing to prove but everything to lose.
She also wrapped the GUTS World Tour in July 2025. That tour was massive. It grossed over $184 million and spanned 95 shows. You don't just walk off a stage in Manchester and immediately have a finished 12-track masterpiece ready for Spotify. She needed a minute to breathe.
There's also the "four-letter" theory.
- SOUR (4 letters)
- GUTS (4 letters)
- ???? (Fans are betting on LUCK, BURN, or LOVE)
If she's sticking to this naming convention, she's likely being incredibly picky about the title. Some fans spotted her wearing a shirt with a bedazzled "3" during the Osheaga Festival in 2025. She’s definitely aware of the "OR3" hype. She’s just not rushing it.
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The Verdict on the New Album
So, is Olivia Rodrigo coming out with a new album in the next few months?
All signs point to a lead single in the first half of 2026, with the full project likely arriving by late summer or autumn. She’s been seen in the studio with Dan Nigro again, which means that "secret sauce" production is definitely back. But don't expect SOUR 2.0. She's 22 now. She’s traveling the world, meeting her idols, and presumably, getting her heart broken in more complex ways than she did at 17.
The website "renewal" was the first spark. The move to the color red was the second. Now, we're just waiting for the match.
What You Can Do While You Wait
- Watch the Netflix Concert Film: If you missed the tour, the GUTS World Tour film is the best way to see the "eras" transition in real-time.
- Listen to the David Byrne Cover: It’s on her YouTube channel and gives a weirdly cool glimpse into the "art-rock" influences she might be playing with.
- Keep an eye on the "3" imagery: Any time she posts a photo with three emojis or wears the number three, take it as a sign that the release calendar is tightening up.
Keep your notifications on for her Instagram. When the "Spilled" era officially dried up, she started the clock. We're just waiting for it to hit zero.