Virgin by Lorde? Steven says 4.5/5

I’ve been listening to Lorde since I was 12 years old; I’m now 25. Over the past decade, her music has seamlessly woven itself into my life, each album becoming the definitive soundtrack for significant moments of my journey. Pure Heroine soundtracked my entry into high school, Melodrama vividly colored the summer before my senior year, and Solar Power played softly in the background as I navigated online classes during a global pandemic. Lorde has grown up alongside me, marking milestones with lyrical brilliance and emotional depth.

While Solar Power did give birth to my all-time favorite Lorde track, “Oceanic Feeling”, the album overall left me feeling somewhat unfulfilled. Naturally, after another four-year hiatus, anticipation was high among fans—myself included—eagerly awaiting her next musical chapter.

Virgin does not disappoint. Through interviews, heartfelt letters, voice notes to fans, and profound lyrical revelations from the initial singles, Lorde gave us a glimpse into what her life has been like. Processing a breakup, confronting her relationship with her body image, and embracing gender fluidity. These deeply intimate themes permeate the album, creating a raw vulnerability that resonates profoundly.

A notable departure on this record is the absence of frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff, replaced by Jim-E Stack. Stack brings a refreshing yet nostalgic touch, rekindling the essence of the “classic Lorde sound” that longtime fans have yearned for since the days of Melodrama. The sonic shift is noticeable, embracing a louder, messier, yet impeccably genuine soundscape.

On my first listen, the closing track, “David”, left me sobbing uncontrollably. Her ability to evoke such deep emotional responses, to unlock feelings within me that words fail to adequately capture, remains unparalleled. Perhaps it’s the reflection of my own life mirrored in her lyrics, but Lorde consistently taps a nerve, making each song feel intensely personal.

This album, while concise and impactful, could afford more breathing room either through additional tracks or extended durations. Lorde’s albums are characteristically succinct, but here, an expanded exploration could have enhanced the overall experience. Tracks like “Man of the Year”, “Hammer”, and “David” are brilliant, yet leave me craving for more. Those crescendos and climactic moments begging to extend just a little longer.

Nevertheless, Virgin effortlessly synthesizes the best elements of Lorde’s previous work, crafting a beautifully complex and utterly addictive album. It’s a rebirth; a deliberate rejection of the sunny, pop aesthetic of her Solar Power era, instead journeying inward. Each track resonates deeply as she invites listeners into her most personal revelations yet.

Simply put, Virgin solidifies Lorde’s position as one of the greatest songwriters of our generation. Bold, vulnerable, and undeniably brilliant.

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