Lorde is now an independent artist for the first time since she was 12-years-old
Lorde has announced that she is now a fully independent artist after leaving Universal Music when her contract expired in December last year.
The New Zealand singer shared the news via a series of voice memos sent out to fans on March 18th, which discussed the contract that she signed when she was only 12 years old.
“I feel a real hunger for newness, and I feel […] like a new leaf is turning or there’s a blank slate that’s been presented, and I feel this way because at the end of last year, my label deal, my record contract with Universal came to an end,” she said.
She added, “I have been in that contract for a very, very long time and some form of that contract since I was 12 years old, when I signed my first development deal with Universal.”
Lorde clarified that there was absolutely no bad blood, sharing, “I adore them, they’re incredible people, and I have had an amazing experience with them. But the truth is that a 12-year-old girl pre-signed and pre-sold her creative output before she knew what it would be like and before she knew what she was signing away.”
The ‘Green Light’ singer isn’t sure how long she will remain an independent artist. Via voice memo, she admitted that she will likely sign a deal in the future, one that “could well be with Universal.”
However, for now, Lorde “needed to take a second to have nothing being bought or sold that comes from me.”
The singer added that she is embracing the change, explaining, “When I see an opportunity for a clean slate, I take it. And it does feel different. It sounds like it wouldn’t but it really does. I feel a feeling of openness and possibility and am inspired.”
The voice memos didn’t just land on the granularities of the industry; she also went on to laughingly muse that she had been reading some “bizarre fucking books” and playing chess with singer Addison Rae.
She is currently on the road for her Ultrasound world tour, which has already toured around America, Europe, and the UK.
Lorde’s last release was 2025’s Virgin. In a glowing four-and-a-half-star review, Far Out observed, “It’s clear that Virgin is far more of an artistic study in terms of its themes and lyrical muses. Undeniably, this makes it Lorde’s most insightful album to date, but it’s also worth noting how her vocals have evolved within this. Soaring riffs and delicate intricacy make this a true treasure trove of introspective delights.”
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.