Niall Horan has credited Olivia Rodrigo for driving a significant shift in modern pop music, praising her innovative songwriting style and musical experimentation.

The former One Direction star spoke to Rolling Stone about Rodrigo’s growing influence, particularly through her albums SOUR and GUTS.

“It’s great to hear [bridges]. I feel like Olivia Rodrigo has been a big influence on that for pop writers,” Horan said.

He highlighted the dynamic nature of her music, noting how her songs often take unexpected turns. “What I like about Olivia’s music is that you feel like you’re getting one song and then you get a completely different song,” he explained.

Horan added that Rodrigo’s ability to shift musical direction mid-track, incorporating unique bridges and breakdowns, has inspired many artists including himself.

He also praised her collaboration with producer Dan Nigro, calling them “a good little team” whose work is clearly influencing the industry.

Rodrigo’s upcoming third album, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, is set for release in June, with its lead single Drop Dead debuting on April 17.

Meanwhile, Horan revealed that his own upcoming album Dinner Party, also expected in June, draws inspiration from pop-punk bands like Blink-182.

“That drum sound is something that we were trying to chase, and that comes from that late-’90s, early-2000s punk-rock era,” he said.

Reflecting on his musical journey, Horan shared that rock music has been a major influence since his childhood. He added that while he primarily writes pop songs, experimenting with different styles keeps his music fresh.

Looking ahead, the singer said he is increasingly focused on live performances, noting that his experiences on tour have significantly shaped his artistic direction.

We welcome your contributions! Submit your blogs, opinion pieces, press releases, news story pitches, and news features to opinion@minutemirror.com.pk and minutemirrormail@gmail.com