Lorde frolicking on the beach in the sun for her ‘Solar Power’ album cover – a friend of hers took this photo but had no intention of making it the cover.The self-proclaimed “Prettier Jesus” released her third album on August 20, for which she wrote and co-produced all the tracks.Photo courtesy of lorde.co.nz
New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde has broken her four-year hiatus to present us with her dazzling third album, Solar Power.
Released on August 20 with Universal Music Group, the album brilliantly showcases Lorde’s growth as an artist and a woman, and her reflections on the resilience of our planet through melancholy melodies and vulnerable lyrics.
lorde solar power
Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor gave herself the stage name “Lorde” due to her obsession with royalty, which made the title of her debut single “Royals” even better.Released in 2013, “Royal” made a name for herself as a singer at the age of 16.This electro-pop song gives listeners a rare voice and relevant lyrics about living an ordinary life but wanting something more.
Lorde’s treatment of pop music on “Royals” refreshed listeners, making her the youngest female artist to hit the Billboard Hot 100 since 1987.
Not long after, Lorde released her debut album, Pure Heroine, in September 2013 — an album that captures the thrills and anxieties of teenage years.Four years later, fans are hungry for her second album, Melodrama,” a stirring record about what it’s like to endure heartbreak as a woman.
In the fall of 2018, after the Melodrama world tour, Lorde retreated to her hometown and disappeared from the world.She escaped the public eye by quitting social media and taking a break from music.Lorde uses this time to reconnect with friends, family, nature, and most importantly, herself.
In February 2019, Lord embarked on a journey to a land rarely visited: Antarctica.The trip gave the singer a glimpse into the reality of climate change — an issue that’s very important to her.Growing fascinated by the power of the natural world, Lorde decided to share her experiences through memoir and photographs in the June 4 book “Going South.”
The musician uses her time away from the world to find her new voice and voice.The lessons she learned in Antarctica and New Zealand are incorporated into the lyrics of this Serenity album.
On the fifth track, “Fallen Fruit,” Lorde sings bitterly about the destruction of the Earth.After explaining that “those who preceded us” have done irreparable damage to our planet, we have no choice but to see the end of the world come, she whispers, “How can I love me knowing I will lose s things?”
Her passion for the climate crisis runs through not only her heartbreaking lyrics, but also the merchandise she releases in this era.Lorde has partnered with EVERYBODY.WORLD, a company that uses 100% recycled cotton to make clothing to reduce energy and water.Her eco-friendly merchandise can be found on her website, as well as at the future concerts of her upcoming tour “Solar Journey” in Lord’s hometown in February 2022.Fans can expect a more streamlined and laid-back vibe in her future gigs to match the dynamism of this new album.
The album’s title track and first single “Solar Power” is a beautiful ode to summer bliss.In it, Lorde expresses her admiration for sun-kissed skin and the freedom of the sun-season, saying: “My cheeks are brightly coloured and my peaches are ripe / No shirt, no shoes, just my features”, and describes She shares the lyrics, “I threw my phone in the water / Can you find me? No, you can’t.”
This lively song is the most energetic track on an album full of soft folk tunes.Lorde transitions from her usually energetic ballads to the sweet calm she hears on “Solar,” a symbol of her real-life struggle to escape the chaos of the world and her pop-star lifestyle during breaks.
lorde solar power
Lorde’s growth over those four years can be understood by listening to lyrics like “now cherry black lipstick is gathering dust in the drawer/I don’t need her anymore” from Ocean Feeling.Her signature look in the “pure heroine” era.Lorde told fans that she has matured and is no longer the person she used to be.
At the end of the song, Lorde sings, “Have you found enlightenment yet? / No, but I’m working on it, eating once a year.” She realizes she’s not yet who she wants to be.
Lorde created Solar Power with producer and longtime friend Jack Antonoff.
The record consists of 12 songs, including the singles “Solar Power”, “Stoned at the Nail Salon” and “Mood Ring”.Clairo — Antonoff’s partner — and Phoebe Bridgers provided siren-like harmonies for six of the tracks.
While the artist’s previous albums have featured synth and digital beats, “Solar Power” packs an organic tone that simply uses acoustic guitar, drum kits, the occasional cicada chirping and surrounding urban noise.
This musical change sparked criticism as Lorde became a trailblazer in the music industry as she abandoned electro-pop in this new era.After all, fans and critics waited four years for “Solar,” perhaps expecting Lorde’s usual teenage angst, and were therefore disappointed to hear her rounder side.
But maybe that’s the point: Lorde is no longer a teenager.She is a 24 year old woman who has grown rapidly over the past few years.”Solar Power” is Ella’s heartfelt record.It highlights her dreams, doubts, sadness and fears for the future.
Lorde trades a raw scrutiny of the inner self for a coming-of-age tune full of explosive sounds.While some fans were reluctant to peek, Lorde welcomed the audience with open arms, singing: “Come one, come one, and I’ll tell you my secret.”
Listeners can stream the stunning summer album “Solar Power” on Apple Music, iHeartRadio and Spotify.
Filed Under: Life and Art Tagged With: Album Review, Folk Music, Kim, Jack Antonov, Lord, Music, New Zealand, Pop, Solar, Summer
Post time: Feb-11-2022
