Fans report a huge functional error with Lorde’s ‘Virgin’ CDs
After releasing her new album Virgin on June 27th, Lorde‘s special edition CDs appear to be inoperable.
Transparency was at the heart of Lorde’s latest artistic pursuit; she had spoken openly about her gender identity and expression in light of making this album. The album cover’s light blue tones depict Lorde’s bare crotch through transparent pants, as photographed by Talia Chetrit.
Lorde sold a run of the album on clear plastic CD formats to continue with this theme. The CDs are made from recyclable materials; no other form of CD is available for the album. The run sold out quickly.
However, fans who did get their hands on a copy have reported a huge functional error with the CDs: they don’t work on most CD players.
An abundance of TikTok videos depict fans inserting the discs into an array of their CD players, only for the machine to read “no disc.” Fans gathered that older models with older sensors reject the new material.
One fan wrote, “Whoever decided to design this is an idiot because it’s a clear CD. Do you know what that means? Cars can’t read this CD, Walkmans can’t read this CD. And the worst part is, this is the only version of the CD that Lorde is offering – so I just have to go and return it and get my money back and not actively support her music because the team can’t make a functioning CD for aesthetics.”
Neither Lorde nor her team have addressed the matter yet, and fans have not yet heard back about refunds.
Lorde also hit the headlines recently after she played a secret set to open Glastonbury Festival weekend on the day of her album launch. Far Out was on the ground at Worthy Farm and deemed the set “clearly the set of an artist determined to evolve and defy typical etiquette. No audience expectations and no old teenage hit will hold Lorde back.”
She is also set to kick off her sold-out Ultrasound World Tour in September, which will hit multiple nights at iconic venues including Madison Square Garden, London’s O2 Arena, AFAS Live in Amsterdam, and The Anthem in Washington, DC.
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