Lorde’s new album “Virgin” encompasses the hurt, comfort and nostalgia of youth. She reminisces about a time in her life that most university students are just about to step into after graduation. Growing up is confusing and this collection feels as though the singer is reaching out to hold listeners’ hands while assuring them that they are not alone. Lorde herself has gone through the same confusion and adversity, time and time again, and created something meaningful and good out of it. This new album is real, raw and new.
Seeing an artist clearly cast aside the jaded criteria of what sells to instead focus on how they feel and what they want to release into the world is always refreshing. In Instagram posts leading up to “Virgin”, Lorde references tearing herself apart and building something new from the pieces. She writes about learning to love herself through every stage of her life and the unexpected challenge that proved throughout.
Lorde pours her heart into the lyricism of songs like “If She Could See Me Now”, “Broken Glass” and “Hammer.” These three songs are best experienced with the lyrics close at hand to fully appreciate the poetry and nuance. “I might have been born again, I’m ready to feel like I don’t have the answers” she sings in the song “Hammer.” The line is powerful, sets the tone for the entire album and works as a great example of poetry enhancing music. The lyrics in “If She Could See Me Now” highlight the growth throughout the album and Lorde’s new outlook on life – she’s been born again, but stronger.
Art inspires art and “Virgin” cries out to fuel some creative writing. The album as a whole feels like the soundtrack for an independent film set in someone’s twenties. The instrumental tracks conjure the image of a smokey room, feeling lost and broken. The listener can feel the pain and beauty of navigating the myriad punches and kisses thrown by life.
Most of the songs in the album work as stand alone pieces, but some need the context of the others. “Man of the Year” in particular likely won’t be heard on any large radio stations any time soon. Lorde mentions in an Instagram post that the song is the one she’s most proud of on this album. Some listeners, however, lament that half of the song isn’t supported instrumentally. The song is fine, but would throw-off the groove of most popular stations. Such the pity.
Overall, Lorde produced a solid and cohesive album that deserves the love fans have poured in. She poured her soul into the lyrics and picked apart what it’s like to be a woman in her twenties, both from a vaguely relatable standpoint and from the lofty perspective fame has given her.
