Lorde - Virgin

There is no limit to reinvention, and Lorde knows that better than anyone. The Lorde we met on ‘Solar Power’ was one who had apparently seen it all, casting an outward glance to the crumbling world around her and retreating from it. Four years later, she has ripped that version of herself to shreds. ‘Virgin’ turns her gaze more inward than ever, whilst simultaneously seeing her throw herself into the thick of the chaotic world, chasing impulses and experiences above all else.

It’s a constantly moving, continually evolving record that feels as though Lorde is working her way through those lessons in real time - they become a means of propelling forwards, reflection and looking inward as a way to reach the next lesson. The raw unfolding of those emotions leaves you reeling right alongside her. Through the cracked-open chronicling of her struggle with an eating disorder on ‘Broken Glass’, to the complexities of her relationship with her mother on ‘Favourite Daughter’, every step of the way, those feelings are displayed with blazing vividity.

There’s something skittish about it at times, in part due to the shuffling, skittery beats, and in part due to the way each lyrical confession seems to tumble out in an uncontrollable rush. It’s those moments that intensify the feeling of immediacy in the album - it’s a compulsive need to share, to find some understanding and perspective on everything she’s gone through.