Lorde – ‘Virgin’ album review: an elixir of introspection
After four years away, the world didn’t know the next steps that Lorde would take. Then she strutted through Washington Square Park in New York, and all order was restored.
The Skinny: Following on from the indie folk lilts of Solar Power in 2021, there was a certain element of fear that the New Zealand singer had lost touch with her electro-pop roots. But with her latest album, Virgin, along with the help of acclaimed producer Jim-E Stack, those trepidations were instantly blasted into obscurity.
The blistering lead single ‘What Was That’ has already proved this in spades. Certain crude references to “MDMA in the back garden” or “the best cigarette of my life” may seem too on the nose for some, but in many ways, this is also singularly representative of the artistic evolution Lorde has undergone over the years.
After all, this is no Melodrama. The electro-pop soundtrack is easy to compare to the singer’s 2017 seminal masterpiece, but instead of teenage awakenings, Virgin cleverly draws from that same mood board to pivot towards the state of adult womanhood as one approaches their 30s.
Within this, the most vital aspect spans across the album’s course of 11 tracks. This is not the manifestation of a completed evolution, but instead one that is still in the process of transitioning and creation as Lorde herself continues to mature. Simply, it’s a symbol of life right now.
That’s where the true emotional resonance of tracks like ‘Shapeshifter’ and ‘Clearblue’ really come into their own. Throughout the record, the politics of identity are more than evident, whether that’s in a gendered sense or while facing the prospect of living up to societal expectations.
The aforementioned gendered aspect is also pivotal to the thematic movements of Virgin. The singer has spoken openly of her freer impression of femininity; ‘Man of the Year’ can clearly tell you that. More than any other album released in recent times, Virgin feels like it is delving into the true depths of introspection.
In this sense, there’s no particular care over whether the end result is particularly clean or palatable or pretty. What instead emerges is a record that is searingly honest, thoughtful, erudite, and fertile. It’s an elixir of excitement, hedonism, and reflection – and the reason Lorde will only continue to grow as the most dynamic force in electro-pop.
The Verdict: 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.
Defining track: ‘David’
Release date: June 27th, 2025 | Producer: Lorde and Jim-E Stack | Label: Republic Records
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