Unconventional pop sensation Lorde broke through with the 2013 release of Royals, since the inevitable success that followed the young kiwi has gathered a huge following.
Her quirks inside and outside of the studio make her an intriguing act, even for those who may not consider themselves traditional pop fans. Ella, aka Lorde, has gone from openly criticising the industry to becoming a major part of it, as she makes this transition will her musical direction change too?
This album sees Lorde work with Taylor Swift collaborator Jack Antonoff, so you may expect to hear a more industry-friendly sound this time. Going by the leaked tracks prior to the album’s release, Green Light and Perfect Places, some may have been expecting an album of glistening, uplifting pop. Instead it is once again a clever amalgamation of underground and mainstream influences.
Hard Feelings / Loveless is probably the closest sounding to her first album, but with an extra sprinkling of sound design from Jack Antonoff. Experimental processing create an ugly feedback loop during the breakdown however, and it all begins to fall apart. The Loveless part of the track is carelessly slapped on to the end as a kind of interlude, and if the plan was to leave you wanting more then it has worked.
Melodrama is the second studio album by New Zealand singer Lorde
Sober is an unexpected gem that appears early on, where Antonoff opts for a spacious groove and triumphant horns to accompany her honest lyrics. Perfect for the Friday drive back from work, ‘but what will we do when we’re sober?’ is just one of many lines referencing the party lifestyle. Along with the following track Homemade Dynamite, they sit somewhere between weird and normal; suiting her vocals brilliantly.
As well as the party starters on offer here there are also excuses to get emotional, as well as more brutally open lyrics on Liability ‘you’re a liability, you’re a little much for me’ ‘I’m a liability, I’m a little much for everyone’. Every word is delivered with so much feeling, with a heartbreaking piano piece to boot. Writer In The Dark is also a slower piano piece, with a vocal performance inspired heavily by Kate Bush. Her songwriting is as strong as ever, telling the story of a forgotten kiss.
Sober II (Melodrama) is the stark reality of Sunday morning epitomised, ‘the glamour, the trauma, the fucking melodrama’. The beat cuts like a knife over the tracks freezing cold strings and haunting vocals, Ella gets into character for the outro where she sounds like a group of ghouls. Throughout the album there is stunning backing vocal work, hidden in the shadows are some incredible details. At times her voice is so soothing that we will even forgive the ‘boom boom boom, make ’em all dance to it’ moment on The Louvre. Supercut is another deceptively simple slice of up-beat pop, but as the track develops it begins to open up.
At the tender age of 20 years young, there are hopefully many more years to come in this girl’s career. As her progression so far has already been so impressive, Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga, Beyonce and co. will need to watch their backs if she can keep this up. Come and hear it on some over-ear headphones at your local Richer Sounds today!
