Lorde’s legacy
Illustration: Jena Williams
I was first introduced to Lorde’s music by my older sister right before I entered high school. I remember thinking how her music was unlike anything I had listened to before, and from that moment forward, I immediately fell in love with her work. Lorde’s songs became the anthem for my teenage years. Angst, love, heartbreak, healing: four words that perfectly sum up Lorde's triple-threat discography, which fully encapsulates what it means to come of age. Her albums, which are crafted with vulnerable lyricism, reflecting honesty and wisdom, provided me solace as I combated my teenage angst. Each of Lorde’s albums holds a very special place in my heart, and I believe they can hold a special place in your heart as well.
Lorde released her debut album, Pure Heroine, at the age of 16 years old. The intelligent lyricism and deeply reflective nature of the songs on the album stand as a true testament to Lorde’s immense wisdom beyond her years.
This revolutionary album had an immense impact on the popular music landscape, helping to forever change the music industry as a whole. At the time of the album’s release in 2013, the featured songs were unlike most other chart-topping pop singles, which often focused on stereotypical themes of wealth, sex, and partying. Rather, her hit single, “Royals”, challenged the boundaries of pop music with the song’s unique sound, while simultaneously calling out and critiquing other pop songs for their focus on materialism and consumption. This is demonstrated in the lyrics, “But every song's like / Gold teeth, Grey Goose, trippin' in the bathroom / Bloodstains, ball gowns, trashin' the hotel room / We don't care”. This song challenges economic ideals, reminding listeners that there is more to life than money and fame.
Her song, “Ribs”, another standout song from this album, is both beautiful and bittersweet. Every time I hear the opening synth of the song, without fail, a montage of my childhood memories flashes before my eyes. This song explores reflections into the past, while also offering glimpses into the future. The concept of aging has always been very intimidating and anxiety-inducing; this song helps remind me that I am not alone in these feelings. Lorde’s heartful lyrics confess she too believes that “it feels so scary getting old”.
One of the reasons why I believe Lorde’s music is so incredible is because of its relatability. With this song in particular, she perfectly captures these feelings of apprehension and fear and translates them into a heartfelt ballad that continues to resonate with listeners, even a decade after the song’s release.
Lorde’s sophomore album, Melodrama, was released a few years later in 2017. This is a triumphant album because of its brilliant storytelling. From partying and dancing, to falling in love, to falling out of love, to reminiscing, to mourning, to self-reflection, to clarity, and healing, Lorde uses these themes within her songs to remind listeners that big feelings are here to stay.
Energetic anthems including “Green Light”, “Supercut”, and “Perfect Places” will have you running to the nearest dancefloor, and somber songs like “Liability” and “Writer In The Dark” will cause you to shed some tears. The duality of these songs reflects a larger motif within the album, whereby Lorde reveals how love is a double-edged sword. Although she uses upbeat tunes to describe the euphoric feelings of young love, this is refuted by her honest lyricism which demonstrates the adverse implications of an all-consuming relationship
One of my favourite songs from this album, which perfectly exemplifies Lorde’s sincere songwriting is “Hard Feelings/Loveless”. As described by the title of the song, this track expresses Lorde’s struggles to come to terms with “the hard feelings of love”. The vulnerability in her lyrics highlights the complex emotions that arise as one exits a romantic relationship. Throughout the song, she reminisces and reflects fondly on the memories she shared with her ex; however, she concludes that she must move on in order to restore peace, arguing that “it’s time to let go of this endless summer afternoon”.
Lorde released her latest album, Solar Power, in 2021. Upon its initial release, many listeners were surprised by the album’s shift in tone and sound. Although Solar Power does not carry the same angst and moodiness as previously seen and loved in her other albums, this shift reflects her growth and maturity as a songwriter, and as an individual.
In the final track of the album, “Oceanic Feeling”, Lorde sings, “Now the cherry-black lipstick's gathering dust in a drawer / I don't need her anymore / 'Cause I got this power”. When Lorde first rose to fame following the release of her first album, her look was characterized by her signature black lipstick; however, this lyric helps to describe a transformation from her innocent, younger self. The album as a whole explores themes of introspection, inviting listeners to join her on her journey of healing and self-discovery.
Her song, “Secrets From a Girl (Who’s Seen It All),” perfectly reflects this journey from a moody young teenager to a wise young adult. This song is a love letter to her naive younger self, as Lorde looks back on her younger years and offers thoughtful, retrospective advice. Many of her older songs, especially those on Melodrama, tackle themes of heartbreak and loss; on this one, Lorde reminds her younger self that, “Baby girl, no one's gonna feel the pain for you / You're gonna love again, so just try staying open / And when the time comes, you'll fall.” This song is truly a breath of fresh air, reminding listeners that there is lightness after the darkness.
Other songs from the album reflect themes of nature. In the four-year gap between the release of her second album and Solar Power, Lorde took a step away from the spotlight and spent time reconnecting with nature and the earth. In particular, the track, “Fallen Fruit”, reflects her climate anxieties towards our dying planet. The song lyrics explore her frustrations towards previous generations who left us with this damaged state of Earth, as she sings “how can I love what I know I am gonna lose?”. She ponders whether it is too late to reverse what we have continually destroyed, while simultaneously calling on listeners to take care of the planet we have.
In the single , “Stoned at the Nail Salon,” she remarks that “all the music you loved at sixteen, you'll grow out of”; however, I strongly disagree. Lorde’s music is timeless, and will continue to deeply resonate with listeners for many years to come.
By: Jordan Ross
