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ROME,June 23,2025
Lorde Embraces “Virgin” Era
The singer-songwriter discusses her new album,a journey of self-discovery and artistic reinvention.
- “Virgin” explores themes of rebirth and embracing vulnerability.
- Lorde’s music is inspired by literary minimalism and radical simplicity.
- the album blends electronic sounds with personal experiences.
Lorde’s fourth album, “Virgin,” released on friday, June 27, embodies a personal and artistic rebirth, and in it, the New Zealand singer-songwriter explores themes of vulnerability and self-discovery.
A Rebirth of Self
with metal earphones and wide eyes, the 28-year-old emanates a unique charm. This is amplified by her New Zealand accent.
What sparked this feeling of rebirth?
“I decided that I needed to fully enter my body,” Lorde saeid.”I think it is frequent for the twenties to find yourself suddenly not to understand what is happening,but I realized that you can spend an entire life not to feel inside your body and I decided that instead I wanted to feel everything,both what is lovely is what is grotesque.”
She continues, “There have been many zigzags to get there, certainly the problems I had with my image were a dragon to behead, deciding to see me beautiful and spectacular in any form and cuts.And than I also perceived that my gender widen and changed, I wanted to be ready to that too.”
did you know?-Lorde’s real name is Ella marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor. She adopted the stage name “Lorde” as she was fascinated by aristocracy and royalty.
Exploring Gender and Identity
In her new single,”Hammer,” Lorde sings,”a few days I am a woman,others are a man.”
What does this mean to her?
«Simply that I am a woman and I feel like a girl, but at the same time there is also this very real masculinity that is part of me and has been part of it for a lifetime,” Lorde explains. “Even when I think about me that everyone knew when I was 16 with “Royals”, I was often in male clothes, there was this androgine quality in me, so I don’t think it’s a great surprise, it is only what they are ».
The Meaning behind “Virgin”
The album is titled “Virgin,” and the cover features a radiography of her pelvis, revealing a contraceptive spiral.
Is this a paradox?
«The Word Virgin has various meanings and I would say that that of sexual purity was the last of my list,” she clarifies. “I was looking for a metaphor for the sensation of rebirth that I was experiencing, of vulnerability, of feeling new and getting to a very essential version of myself, in which I bare everything.”
She adds, “however, I was looking for a extreme purity that does not have to do with the sexual sphere, given that the disc tells of a woman who has a lot of fun. I found my portrait beautiful in which you can see the bones of the pelvis, jeans and belt, simple and iconic clothing, and then you can also see this technology that allows me to be a wholly free woman ».
Reader question:-What do you think of Lorde’s decision to explore themes of gender fluidity in her new album? How do you interpret her lyrics in “Hammer?” Share your thoughts in the comments below.
“GRWM”: A Dichotomy of Self
Another song on the album is titled “Grwm” (Grown Woman).
Does Lorde feel like an adult woman?
«Yes and the beauty of the disc is the constant dichotomy it contains,” Lorde responds. “There is “Man of the Year”, written at the end of 2023, and then “GRWM” that I think came in the same week: in that period I felt my masculinity and then two days later I was on the other hand, I thought “I never felt more woman than that”. I think that I really explore my masculinity allowed me to be the woman who really are. This record is a document of my femininity and I said to myself that if I feel like this in this way,I will certainly not be the only one ».
Did you know? Lorde rose to fame at just 16 years old with her hit song “Royals.”
Lorde became famous at 16 years old.
did this exacerbate problems with her image?
«I don’t think I have suffered pressure from the ordinary, I just think it is indeed quite challenging to be a woman, point,” she says. “We have to do with the pressures that come from always and in any case patriarchal standards and then I think I have been algorithmically destined to be fighting with my image, also because the technologies that we all use are like a magnifying glass that amplifies the sense of inadequacy of young women “.
The Rise of Young Female Artists
Young artists are currently dominating mainstream music.
Is this a positive trend?
«Totally, I think it is indeed fantastic as never as now there have been many different ways of celebrating being a woman,” Lorde affirms. “I am so proud of all the other girls and I believe that at this moment Pop music is the best we have had for years. I think it’s also the perfect time to get an album like mine. “
Is there a sense of community among female artists?
«Absolutely, in the last couple a fantastic bond has been created and it has not always been like this, I have been very solitary for a long time,” Lorde shares. “Now there is a beautiful community in which we support each other and it is indeed incredible to think of having Gracie Abrams, Charli XCX or Chappell roan who write to me ».
Pro tip:-When analyzing an artist’s work, consider the literary and artistic influences they cite. Understanding these influences can provide deeper insights into their creative process and the meaning behind their work.
Literary Influences
How did Lorde develop her writing style?
«One of the people who inspired me most was Raymond Carver who find a champion in linguistic minimalism,” Lorde explains.”His stories moved me a lot from teenagers and for “Virgin” I was looking for precisely simplicity and clarity, without hyper-toothing the texts. I am also a big fan of Annie Ernaux, a more recent discovery: his absence of sentimentalism and the radical simplicity in his use of words were really effective on me, so when I write I try not to adorn too much and simply tell the truth ».
Embracing Electronics
Musically, Lorde has returned to electronics.
“I wanted the record to play like my world,” she says. “We live in a period of capitalism and industrialization forwarded, sometimes it seems that everything is in the hands of the machines, but I believe that the language of machines also contains true beauty and I tried to use them in an irreverent way, not necessarily perfect, also accepting raw, coarse, not completely finished sounds, handling technology with my power “.
Does Lorde fear that technology or AI will replace artists?
«I could not do my music without the machines and technology and I love using them,” she responds. “I think there will continue to be an artistic conversation between people and machines, but then it will be what it will be, so I don’t think I’m worried ».
the “Lorde Summer” Aesthetic
How does Lorde envision the “Lorde Summer”?
«I lately wear light colors, somewhat obvious things, silver jewels, but also very practical clothes: my favorite jeans, a beautiful man belt, whatever it makes you feel good,” she describes. “And then there are always accessories: the headphones that come out of the backpack, my water bottle that I bought because it reminds me that magic is everywhere, like when I bought the first nano iPod, purple in color, and I thought it was the most beautiful thing ever seen. For me the gross Summer is a mood in which to feel comfortable, sexy and a little magical ».
Raymond Carver who find a champion in linguistic minimalism,” Lorde explains.”His stories moved me a lot from teenagers and for “Virgin” I was looking for precisely simplicity and clarity, without hyper-toothing the texts. Lorde’s writing style is defined by it’s simplicity and clarity, inspired by minimalist literary figures like Raymond Carver and Annie Ernaux.
The album’s raw, unadorned language mirrors the artist’s desire for truth and authenticity in her music. Her recent discovery of Annie Ernaux, known for her absence of sentimentalism and the radical simplicity in her use of words, has greatly influenced her approach. This shift reflects a conscious effort to strip away artifice and convey her experiences directly and honestly.
Here are some practical takeaways related to Lorde’s creative process, according to her own revelations:
- Embrace Vulnerability: Allow yourself to explore difficult and complex emotions.
- Find Inspiration in Everyday Life: Look to the world around you for inspiration, the same way Lorde pulls from her peers and favorite sounds.
- Question Societal Norms: Do not be afraid to challenge conventional ideas about gender and identity.
- Express your unique self through your art, and lean into your story without feeling the need to mold it to societal expectations.
Beyond “Virgin”: The Future of Lorde’s Art
Lorde’s artistic journey is marked by a continuous search of her inner world. This self-exploration has led her to a greater understanding of her identity and a new creative direction. As a result of this change, she has shifted into a new aesthetic era of personal change.
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions related to Lorde’s art:
What is the meaning of “virgin” in relation to the album?
Lorde uses “Virgin” to represent rebirth, vulnerability, and a return to her essential self, rather than sexual purity or innocence. This new era marks a personal transformation for Lorde.
How does Lorde’s exploration of gender identity influence her music?
Her experience as a woman, along with the masculine and feminine aspects within herself, fuels her creativity. In this way, the artist is capable of representing the current state of the modern pop music.
What is the meaning of the album’s cover art?
the cover, a radiograph of Lorde’s pelvis, symbolizes her embracing of vulnerability and her liberation
Table of Contents
- Lorde Embraces “Virgin” Era
- A Rebirth of Self
