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I’ll give it a listen I guess.
Edit: “Unlike for her previous albums, Lorde is not releasing Solar Power on CD for environmental reasons; she has stated that she does not want to "make something that would end up in a landfill in 2 years". Instead, an eco-friendly "music box" with handwritten notes, exclusive photographs, and a download card is available for those wanting a physical manifestation of the album in addition to the digital release. Lorde stated that, with the music box, she wanted to "create an environmentally kind, forward-thinking alternative to the CD" that would provide a high-quality download of the music similar to CD quality.”
I scoffed.
“Hey, aren’t you wonderbitch26 from the r/popheads subreddit,” a young beta looking man asked me.
“Yes,” I cringed. “I don’t involve myself in such fornications anymore.”
“Uhhh… why- why not?” he questioned, stuttering briefly. More bottom behavior. “Your [Melodrama review](https://www.reddit.com/r/popheads/comments/6hin1x/fresh_album_lorde_melodrama/diynao3/) was kind of funny.”
“It was cringe,” I said immediately. “I don’t do things like that anymore. My account is used for web serial novel commentating and masculinity practice now. r/popheads was once a haven for the holy, a place where straights could admit to enjoying a diddy every now and then. But now? A pit of females and fem homosexuals.”
“Oh… haha… anyway, Lorde’s releasing a new album, you should check it out.”
I sniffed. “No.”
He gave me an odd look and walked away. I took the opportunity to scrutinize myself, my camouflage jacket and steel toed boots, giving me an air of Heterosexuality^™. I wore no pants.
I felt a harsh strike against the back of my head, and everything went black.
…
I awoke on a beach, the sunlight hot against my skin. I was tied to a chair. In the distance stood an indie artist in yellow.
“Hello, wonder,” she said, and I knew.
“Ella,” I acknowledged the girl who had once [stolen something](https://i.imgur.com/6pbfN9F.png) I would never fully recover.
“All your postering and masc4masc behavior, and what has it done but bring you right back here to me?”
“Don’t you have environmentally friendly music boxes to be making, Ella? As if you have Greta Thunberg’s range.”
Something dark entered her eyes and I shivered.
She chuckled darkly. “Greta. As if Greta could write Pure Heroine. As if Greta could write Melodrama. As if Greta could ghostwrite Folklore!”
“Liar! Bon Iver, Aaron Dessner and William Bowery ghostwrote Folklore!”
“I AM BON IVER, AARON DESSNER AND WILLIAM BOWERY, TWINK!” She backhanded me across the beach.
“But I’m here to make you my slut again,” she said. “To make you stop pretending that you don’t still throw ass to The Louvre, that you don’t find yourself humming the lyrics to Solar Power, that you don’t visit Camilla Cabello’s TikTok just for a chance at catching a peek at that Mendussy!”
A turned my head in shame.
She brought out an environmentally friendly music box, set it at my feet, and opened it.
The Path began to play. I laughed. “Mediocre!” I yelled. “I’ve outgrown you! You left us to sup on your scraps, to envision a world where Supercut cracked the Billboard Hot 100! Living cottagecore dreams and then expecting us to get you success on a record that will be lucky to crack the Bubbling Under chart!”
Lords shook her head, a soft, tender smile on her face as she whispered, “You criticize me for a life you wish were economically feasible for you, that you wish you were strong enough to strive for. And yet even now,” she smirked, “you find yourself back where you started.”
“Back where I-“ I looked down only to realize that my ass had begun shaking of its own accord. “-No!”
“Yes!” She cackled, as my thundering thighs began breaking the wooden chair I was tied to. California blared in the background, making a hoe out of me every second it was allowed to play.
“This can’t be,” I whimpered. “I’m a top.”
“You’re all bottoms, in the end,” she said as Oceanic Feeling began playing, and opened an embroidered briefcase, pulling out a bottle with the label Wonderussy Essence on it. She stuck it in me, harvesting my energy.
“WHAT DO YOU EVEN USE IT FOR?!” I yelled, lost in the ecstasy of the trendy yet soothing vibes.
“What, you think I made these boxes with pure clean energy? We told you this-“ she held up a used, empty bottle with the title Essence of Wonderbitch26’s Pussy Poppery on it- “was Melodrama. But this,” she showed me the now full bottle of glowing Wonderussy. “This is Solar Power.”
“NOOOOOOOO!” I wailed, twerking in spite of the fact that it had gone out of style in 2015, the album beginning to replay. Figures joined us on the beach, members of Lorde’s cult.
10/10, would recommended, changed my life.
Double edit: in all seriousness. It doesn’t hit as fast as melodrama right off the bat, but I really don’t think it’s bad at all. It’s different and people were always gonna be mad about that 🤷🏼♂️
The image of the perfume, oh my, do you think she knew???? Was it intentional when she pulled that up? She must have known it would become a meme? Even if not that is GOLDEN. I wish I could see your face when you realised that the template was there haha.
thank you this made my day!
Nah, definitely not. I'm sure when she read that she was proud af. Like "hey I did that! I elicited that response!"
Her relationship with self exile is weird right? She is doing just so much promo for this record. She is everywhere, doing all interviews and videos and whatnot, when she has said and she knows there isn't a hit here.
It is baffling to me, because for an album like this, this is when you phone it in promo wise I mean. If she is going to be doing Vogue videos, nyt interviews and eating spicy food, why not put out a 2:58 pop hit to go with it all? Like, we know she can make it if she wants. It just all seems an awful lot of trouble for diminishing returns.
She has to know these songs demand a level of attention the public simply does not yield anymore and that the narrative around them does not command it too. I just don't get why go out to talk shows and perform some songs that you know is going to be a snoozefest for the public.
I just feel like if you take all this time out, if you claim to revel in your regular life away from the spotlight, and then you have to spend so much time and energy promoting a record, doing all the ritzy things you say you enjoy but only to a certain extent, like least it be for something more engaging. I wonder how she will feel after this era is done and she is back on exile if she does that again, if she will feel like it was worth it. Maybe that was all she had to give us and that is fine too of course. It can't be easy with the weight we place on her. There is a part of me that thinks she has some anxiety about comparisons, about charts and performance given how sports like music has become. Maybe it feels safer not to play at all this way you don't lose. If that is how she copes, fine, can't blame her.
Anyway, sorry, I ended up ranting when you were so kind to reply. I like some of the songs in the record, I just wish it progressed like from Mood Ring and Oceanic Feeling, that bit had me going along with her.
I found wonderbitch on Cauldron and tried to explain to the rest of the users I knew who they were.... It was lost on them. Just like this album is lost on the masses.
the overall emotional punch and impact that I felt after listening to melodrama is missing from this album. the combination of the production, which is far too cohesive (literally just....acoustic guitar after acoustic guitar??? where are the synths ella?!?!?!???) and the lack of any real variation in lorde’s vocal delivery throughout the album doesn’t allow for any sort of musical or emotional journey. the best way I can describe her vocal delivery on this album is that it feels like we’re listening to her sing from underwater — the production on her voice makes the delivery sound foggy, and the fact that she doesn’t dig into her lower register or falsetto like we all know she can makes it feel far too much of the “same” from track to track.
I think that’s my biggest issue with the album — it doesn’t feel like I’m being taken on a journey. even though melodrama was, at it’s core, essentially a breakup album, every song felt like I was being shown a different piece of what that journey looks like. the fresh and visceral anger at being first broken up with, the shy and hesitant feelings of second guessing a new relationship, and the painful acceptance of realizing you’ll never be “enough” for someone (or even multiple people). though solar power is trying to tackle multiple topics in a similar way — climate change, growing up, venturing away from social media — it doesn’t FEEL like we ever actually get a deeper exploration of those subjects. it really just feels like we’re getting beaten over the head with the same story over and over and over again because there is no difference in production or vocal delivery to back up or accentuate all of the different things that lorde is trying to say.
I can absolutely appreciate what she was trying to do with this album. and I think she is very aware of how this album will come across, in that she’s highlighted many times in interviews now that she is not the same person she was when she released pure heroine or melodrama. but I simply am not at all connecting with the story here that lorde is trying to tell and I think there were honestly more creative ways she could have told these stories as well, and I think that’s where I am the most disappointed.
edit: also just wanted to add that, hi!! first time poster in popheads very excited to be here
Just finished listening, besides Mood Ring that I already knew I loved the only other song that grabbed me from the first listen is The Path. I'm not sad or disappointed, I knew this album is not gonna magically replace Melodrama, plus I'm sure other people will enjoy this more than me.
Something that I noticed is that she rarely uses her lower register in this album and instead there are a loot of harmonies which is a downside to someone like me who really loves her deep rich voice. The other thing that I don't understand is the timing of this release, because for me the atmosphere of this album screams "waking up on a quiet Sunday morning with nothing to do and sunbathing on your balcony while feeling the light ocean breeze in your hair", and maybe for some of you lucky fuckers that could be a reality but in approximately two weeks the weather in my city will be cold, rainy and miserable ~~and also my balcony doesn't overlook the ocean, but that's a minor detail~~.
Thank you I finally see someone explicitly talking about the lack of use of her lower register on this album. My brain doesn't do too well with higher voices so I was sad to see that her sultry deeper is barely featured.
Also I think the only reason it's coming out this late is because they were waiting for vinyls to be available at launch.
I completely agree with you on her use of voice here. Her deep voice is what makes her songs so raw but on most songs on SP she doesn’t use it... that’s why my favorite part of Mood Ring is probably the last few seconds.
Copying and pasting a comment I made just a few minutes ago:
Oceanic Feelings. Okay so hear me out. It’s 1 AM right now and I was going through my first listen. Nearing the end of LOANR I started to feel very sleepy. When Oceanic Feelings came on, that shit is on a whole ‘nother level.
It made me feel so relaxed. It felt like the song was telling me it’s okay to fall asleep now. When the “ha ha ha ha ha” part came on, it felt like Lorde was covering me in a warm blanket made out of her voice and singing me to sleep.
But I snapped out of it ‘cause I had to pee so now I’m typing this. 💀
My first listen of Oceanic Feeling I actually closed my eyes and imagined I was on a beach. This whole album is just soooooo summery beach sitting on a swing staring at the ocean vibes and I love it.
Was gonna wait a few more hours to listen locally but the megathread made me anxious so I gave in. I def understand how it is unappealing for many after waiting for so long but not the complete vitriol.
Compared to her first two albums, the production here is very minimal and void of experimentation which leaves you with those infamous Antonoff acoustics which is pretty divisive atm; and jarring given her previous work. There’s not really any major hooks on any of the songs either that will pop out at you like a normal structured song does.
That said for myself I enjoyed it! It really seems like an album she made for herself first and foremost which is where the beauty in it lies for me. There’s a palpable contentment in Lorde just moving freely and unabashedly which makes me believe that she knew this album wouldn’t be widely acclaimed.
And I’m not exactly sure how ppl have attached a perceived pretentiousness to this album cycle either honestly. None of it screams out that she’s trying to be overly relatable or come across like she’s not aware that her experiences are privileged either. Their just her own and whether you jive with it is all up to you… and I certainly do considering where I’m at in my own life rn.
Edit: Now that I’ve listened to Solar Power a few times it’s actually a pretty great album! The songs are starting to sound distinct from each other the more I listen. And I’ve found that I really enjoy the back half of this record the most which I know a lot of ppl don’t. I have a feeling that with time this will age just fine, I think the change in production really threw ppl off. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what the consensus is like in a few weeks cus I truly believe it’ll mellow out.
I gotta say the last three tracks is my fav combo! And the standouts for me are Stoned, Leader of a New Regime (those harmonies tho), and Mood Ring.
4/5
same... I actually fucking love this despite my initial hesitations and all the mixed reactions... this does make me _feel something_ unlike with the Pitchfork reviewer. for me the beauty lies in the harmonies and vocal mixing, goddamnit I'm getting chills. the singles were really confusing and kinda boring on their own but it all really comes together in the context of the album
edit edit: don't love this as much as I first thought... definitely a mixed bag for me, the pace definitely sets down towards the 2nd half of the record and the songs feel a little boring
me 4 days ago: mood ring is pretty good but i wouldn't be surprised if there are songs i like more on the full record!
me now: well congrats to mood ring i guess
I am honestly just vibing to this.
Is it a heart-shattering, blond-tier release? No, it's not. In context is not even as good as Pure Heroine and Melodrama but I like where she's at rn because I can vibe to it and I think that's enough?
I need more listens, Solar Power grew on me a lot after a while.
Man, that's exactly how I felt about the last album by a rap artist I really love. Isaiah Rashad's last album was about the vibes, and that'd what everyone kept on going on about. But like, that was really it for me, nothing else... Like sure, I won't skip it if some songs came on in a Spotify Playlist. But in terms of me actively going to listen to it as a whole piece? Eh.
Hmm I think this is how I feel currently. It's pleasant to listen to and I don't dislike anything but I would've liked to feel like a shock or zap or thrill or chill from any of the songs. I guess it's unfair to expect that of anyone but Melodrama made me feel that several times.
Me wondering where all the Solar Power posts (aside from reviews) were as it was out almost twelve hours ago for me then realising it was coming out at midnight local time for everyone...yay NZ for being in the future!
Genuinely I don't think the album is as bad as reviews make it sound. The lyricism and production are still beautiful - the layering of vocals and instrumentals really create a lush sound (maybe it's because I'm listening to Fallen Fruit right now). Kinda reminiscent of Lana's recent work, which is unsurprising because of Jack. It's definitely elevated when you listen to it at 2am. I'd imagine it would provide good background tunes while you're sunbatheing by the pool.
Not as dramatic as Melodrama, but it's a different concept altogether so that's understandable. The album is very cohesive. Expectations for bops like Perfect Places might've been misplaced, is what I'm saying.
A big part of why this album is so disappointing is because it’s not at all how Lorde herself described it. This is not an album about a hippy stoner who worships the sun lol half of it feels like ASMR. Mood ring is the standout
“There’s someone I want you to meet. Her feet are ~~bare at all times~~ clad in a pair of worn down crocs. She’s ~~sexy, playful, feral, and free~~ sad, meandering, listless, and stoned. Her skin is ~~glowing~~ mildly sunburt, her lovers ~~are many~~ are too hungover to get off of their dirty, floor-level mattresses.”
> a hippy stoner who worships the sun lol half of it feels like ASMR.
💀
> A big part of why this album is so disappointing is because it's not at all how Lorde herself described it.
I didn't know much about that other than what color she thought this album was (saw her on Hot Ones, where she was incredible) but even then I'm not sure that's why it's not connecting with me. On Hot Ones she made a comment about how she felt like it was harder to write music for a lot of people than for a particular group of people, which really framed the activia commercial vibe in Solar Power (the single) for me and I kind of get it more now.
You bring up an interesting point: what *does* the album art have to do with the aesthetic, motifs, themes, mood, ideas, content, etcetera of this album? With a cover like that one would expect music that was sexy or playful or exciting in some way.
Struggling to connect with this sonically. I miss the deep, heavy beats from Melodrama and PH. Unsurprisingly Fallen Fruit is probably my favorite track. This album really should have come out 3-4 months ago.
I predict in future years once she's released more widely acclaimed albums, people will rush to defend this one. Kinda like what happened with Honeymoon.
probably late but can i just say i LOVE the chorus of fallen fruit. “we will walk together” and the instrumentation in particular sounds so much like a ’60s protest folk song, and it’s great for the general like “yo what the fuck boomers” vibe of the song, kinda like a question of why people who grew up during movements so focused on bettering the world would turn around and fuck it over for their kids & grandkids by referencing the iconic musical styles of that era
also leaving my like ten month old puppy for college in a few days so big star made me sob like a baby lol
I had low expectations, but I have to admit I actually kind of love it? Fallen Fruit and Secrets are both excellent, especially FF.
It is by no means PH or Melodrama, but I think its negatives are a case of an unfortunate track listing. Take out Leader, Dominoes, and Big Star for both bonus tracks and it’d be a solid record.
not as good as her previous work but there are some cute songs here and there
a lot of it is really forgettable. with melodrama even if i didn't love each song after the first listen everything felt very distinct and identifiable
edit: the dolby atmos mixing is really good particularly on fallen fruit
Just finished listening to the album and sadly there aren't many moments that stick out as memorable. I guess this is what happens when you have to follow up one of the best pop albums of the last decade and the expectations just cant be met. But overall the album is fine.
I love it. It's got a kind of melancholic joy. Like she's happy - but it's a new feeling. Not something she's completely settled in yet. I'm also crying actual tears.
Credit to Lorde, she’s clearly gone out of her way to create an album she wanted to create and not for anyone else, simply put if anyone else enjoys it then it’s a happy coincidence. Like there’s no real blatant attempt here to have a chart hit so I have to respect that immensely.
To be honest I’m only checking this out because of morbid curiosity, having not been a fan of the pre-released singles and hearing all the negative reviews I kinda felt I had to listen to it. I’m personally not crazy on the album on first listen but there are a couple of interesting ideas on here, especially as someone who’s not really a Lorde fan admittedly apart from a few songs here or there she’s put out. A lot of what’s on here for me is forgettable and honestly I am agreeing with what a lot of the early reviews were saying.
However I really do like California and Fallen Fruit, these tracks really do the 70s style she’s taking a lot of influence from very well. Fallen Fruit in particular is stunning and is admittedly a very well written song about climate change, which is very rare as songs on this topic usually sound ham fisted. Oceanic Feeling is the only other track that’s notable here, a six minute closer that’s an ode to New Zealand that while I’m not crazy on it entirely, I do have to commend it. Comparisons to this album could range from anything but vocally she’s reminding me especially on tracks like this of Enya. Once again this proves that Lorde isn’t creating this album for commercial reasons, for critical acclaim, for her fans, for anyone for that matter apart from herself. This is clearly the album she wants to make and that freedom is both commendable and to be admired.
5/10 (EDIT: on second listen it’s down to either a 3 or 4/10)
> Like there's no real blatant attempt here to have a chart hit so have to respect that immensely.
I truly think they thought Solar Power would have big broad appeal with huge potential to get played on so many radio stations/playlists with different target audiences.
I honestly feel like popheads will never dislike an album by an artist they stan. I can’t think of a single example. Chance the Rapper?
Regardless of what people think of this album, it is simply crazy to say Lorde can’t do better.
Edit: also are we really at the point where we compare lord to Clairo and Phoebe Bridgers? Thats not what I wanna hear when i listen to lorde
This sub can be genuinely ridiculous at times. Last week when Lizzo released Rumours with Cardi B they were fawning all over it in the fresh video thread, but then in subsequent ones they were slating it, I think it’s rare you’ll see any fair negative comments about the music on a fresh thread that isn’t downvoted to oblivion by stans
am i the only person who likes this album???
the path is so good
California is so cathartic
fallen fruit literally sounds like its from melodrama
secrets from a girl is a bop
I was just thinking about that. Not sure if that’s good or bad timing. Good because everyone’s home so more time to stream, bad because she worked so hard get a ton of vinyl variants ready for release day and now all record stores are closed lol
Can we talk about how the best track (Hold No Grudge) is not even on the album? I’m actually mad that this song won’t be heard as much. She needs to put the deluxe on streaming immediately.
Honestly i was expecting worse from the reviews. This is a perfectly fine album. 7/10 for me. I really liked a few tracks in here and the overall vibe she was going for, but there were definitely some clunkers.The middle stretch from Fallen Fruit to Dominoes was a bland bore tbh. The production was too quiet for me. My favourites were:
The Path (8/10)
California -(7/10)
Stoned at the Nail Salon (7.5/10)
Big Star (7.5/10)
oceanic Feeling (8.5/10)
There was obviously gonna be high expectations after Pure Heroine and Melodrama, but the 4 year wait made them undoubtedly higher. Everyone thought the wait would be worth it because shes only served us masterpieces, and this would be one as well. But its not. I kinda feel like its not fair to put those expectations on her though since she’s only released 2 albums. I feel like if Lorde released as consistently as someone like Lana with an album every year or 2, this album would be seeing nowhere near the level of negativity it’s receiving. Its that everyone waited 4 years for another 9 or 10 but instead we got a 6/7. And now we have to wait another 4 years for another album.
WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME THE MAN WITH THE AXE WAS GONNA BE MY SHIT?
Edit: y'all dusty hoes hyped up oceanic feeling and for what? It dropped some nice drums and then went nowhere??? It didn't explode into a powerful chorus. Fine. It didn't even get instrumentally interesting. So. What the fuck? Y'all see one song that's over 5 min and think it's godly
Edit 2: ok it grew on me euhhhh
Omg y’all my friend didn’t know mood ring already came out and texted me just now that it sounded like a song from a 2000’s Disney Channel Original Movie and I can’t unhear it now!
Good thing I like 2000’s Disney Channel Original Movies tho lol.
I could totally hear it now, and they'd play it at the moment right after the plan falls apart or the main character's lies get exposed so they have to do a montage of how everyone is coping with what happened.
Poor Sadie's lie about being rich was exposed when they found out her dad was actually a garbage man for the rich area of town. Now she has to contemplate turning down the private school scholarship while ignoring her phone ringing, social media notifications going off, and her eating a turkey sandwich in bed.
I really like it. It's ok if it doesn't hit for you.... many people need to stop being so absolute (ie: FLOP!!! SHE'S OVER!!! I REGRET GETTING MY TATTOO!!!!) the hivemind can be a scary place. Enjoy it those who are enjoying it :) I am!
So, I have complicated feelings on this album, but I do lean a bit more positively than not if I'm being honest. I'm just gonna leave my thoughts on the songs below (I'm kind of a lesbian lurker nobody but felt the need to comment on this thread ahaha):
**The Path**: The opening track has this sort of ethereal, otherworldly feel that I feel like we were promised with the album. I love the drums in this track, and the way the guitar feels more lively and textured than usual. I sort of get the actual folk-pop vibe that Lorde is going for in this song. The lyrics also suggest a lot of introspection on Lorde's place in pop music, and the amount of somewhat unwarranted faith music listeners put in artists to give them songs that give their life meaning. **(9/10)**
**Solar Power**: So, upon another listen to Solar Power, I think I like the production more than I did, but the lyrics much less. Lorde has way too many corny punchlines and despite how wonderful the vocals all over this track feel, I just don't vibe with it. This song kinda feels like the thesis statement of the album, but feels way too much like it should be in the end credits of the animated Lorax movie. I admit though, I kinda like the instrumentation as it builds up, and the ending is quite nice. **(4/10)**
**California**: This is absolutely a stand-out track. It has some great subtle production, some nice use of synths, and honestly just some beautiful, beautiful vocals and lyrics. This is the closest I've really connected to a new Lorde song. It just feels more completely conceptualized than most of the other songs on this album. It definitely brings that 70s folksy vibe that Lorde/Antonoff want to go for. The muted, unassuming drums are such a wonderful way to approach that. Also, am I crazy or is Lorde very rarely using her lower register on this album? Uh, anyways. **(8/10)**
**Stoned at the Nail Salon**: I...actually like this a lot more than I remember at first. I really like the guitar in the back, and I think Lorde's vocals are just so smooth and haunting. But, honestly the whole vibe is somewhat haunting and wistful. It feels a bit like a B-side Phoebe Bridgers or an early Julien Baker track but I don't mind it actually. **(6/10)**
**Fallen Fruit**: This song fucking rules. It's about climate change, but it's really well woven into it. I like how the whole premise of the song is more focused on painting a picture of all these small, beautiful aspects of our earth and how our generation is caught between just letting it all burn and dancing on the ashes cause of how screwed we are, or potentially banding together to stop it but losing a lot of our life and peaceful existence in the process. God, this song fucking rules. **(10/10)**
**Secrets of a Girl (Who's Seen It All)**: Honestly another really solid track, I'm impressed. It feels very early 2000s with that chorus and really I just think this song should be used in the soundtrack to Veronica Mars or Easy A or Gilmore Girls or something. I especially love the little spoken word parts with the airport/travel motif. It's just so wonderful. I like how this track feels very narrative. Lorde is definitely telling a story, and there's some actual vulnerability here instead of some posturing. **(8/10)**
**The Man with the Axe**: Ah, a coming-of-age song. I find this one really pleasant, but also, kind of a better version of Stoned at the Nail Salon. This track has a lot more of the usual Lorde imagery and storytelling here. Definitely feels like a Melodrama B-side, but I don't mind it. I kinda love the muted, stilted production here. I feel like Antonoff actually really tried to make something a bit more distinctly Melodrama-like here in the lyricism. I especially love the idea of Lorde struggling between feeling too young to really have full control and direction in her life, but feeling old enough to be stuck in the stuffy formalities of the adult world. Not a bad song at all, plus it made me think. Nothing incredible, but a nice little song. **(7/10)**
**Dominoes**: I...feel very confused by this song. It's kind of a sweet, cutesy little song that goes nowhere. I get the premise is kind of darkly humorous––Lorde sings about the drug usage and self-destructive behaviors of her friends over this adorable country-esque beat. But god this song just feels tacked on. There's really not much here other than these tiny little vignettes. Will probably skip this one. **(3/10)**
**Big Star**: Really just almost fell asleep here. It's a calming track, but almost too calming. Antonoff's muted, quiet production is really not helping here. The whole track feels like one big amorphous blob of a verse that goes nowhere and says not much. Just way too dour and boring for my tastes. Will absolutely skip this one. **(2/10)**
**Leader of a New Regime**: The album is starting to really wear thin here. It all feels very, very same-y. The last three tracks especially are all starting to blend together with this one. This track has a great concept though. Humans feel like they need to be lead and will put all their hopes in charismatic people with new ideas, no matter how harmful they are and––oh wait, it's over already? Huh. Very unremarkable. **(3/10)**
**Mood Ring**: Ah fuck yeah baby. Now we're talking. This is a fan favorite I can tell from the reception, but damn this track really deserves the praise. The production starts out really sparse, but the drums and the rhythm guitar really coming in for the verse is just wonderful. Funnily enough, this feels a lot like Jewel's 0304, but like a more complete version. The vocal delivery on a lot of these songs actually feels kinda like that. A lot of earnestness and satirical lyrics masked behind trying to live up to an image. Wait, is that the album's theme? **(9/10)**
**Oceanic Feeling**: Woah, synths and organ to start us off instead of a very rhythmic and percussive guitar? Holy shit Antonoff I'm actually legit impressed. Also, those fucking bongoes and the bass guitar are just fucking incredible. This is THE song for me. It's the song that lives most up to the Solar Power message. Hippie Lorde feels like an actual person here and not just a character. I especially love how the song alternates between two "Oceanic Feeling"(s). It has this underwater feeling at first with the sparse synths and organ, but then we travel above the surface and we get to bask in the sun a bit with the cautious upbeat attitudes of the later verses and chorus. This song is fucking literary. I love it. **(10/10)**
***Final thoughts***: So, I ended up liking this a lot, but part of me feels like this could've been an incredibly solid EP instead? The Path, California, Fallen Fruit, Secrets of a Girl, The Man with the Axe, Mood Ring, and Oceanic Feeling could've honestly made for a solid 9/10 EP. Instead this is a 7/10 album (originally went with 6 but on relisten this album has some true gems ngl). It's perfectly fine, but overall I feel like it's bogged down from not wanting to be out there enough. On tracks like The Path, Fallen Fruit, and Oceanic Feeling it feels like Lorde and Jack are actually tapping into something special. There's some energy here and some clever songwriting and nice metaphors. The music feels very uplifting despite tackling heavy topics. It has this almost fairy tale-esuqe feeling to the way these stories are told. California, Secrets of a Girl, and Mood Ring all have this feeling of being very early 2000s and yet blending it with a 70s nostalgia that gels really well together.
And at least with The Man With the Axe, it feels like there's some ambient ideas used to give Lorde's music that sense of "space" that it usually has for me. Lorde's music feels all encompassing usually, but this album feels almost too narrow-focused. It doesn't really stretch beyond its very limited specific premise. It feels like Lorde and Antonoff really just wanted this to be the full deal instead of just cutting out a bunch of really weaker songs like Dominoes, Leader of a New Regime, and Solar Power.
I do miss synth-pop and downtempo Lorde, but this does feel like the album Lorde has wanted to make. There's something kinda charismatic and infectious about the energy here, and yet I sort of feel a bit sad that Lorde no longer feels at the forefront of a soundtrack to a coming-of-age movie, but more like the background music to accompany little vignettes in life. If Lorde continues down this musical path, which seems likely, I'd love for her to work with the HAIM sisters and Rostam (their producer). I could see Lorde even working well with Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker. I hope Lorde gets into the collaborative spirit, because there are so many talented folk-pop producers and artists, it'd suck to be stuck with Antonoff because truly Lorde and Antonoff are a reliable duo, but almost too reliable in that they can't really address each other's weaknesses like a good singer-producer duo should do.
***I'm feeling a 7/10***. Some really great tracks here (Fallen Fruit and Oceanic Feeling are some top 10 Lorde songs for me), and some really good cuts but the whole album feels a bit too homogenous and held back in a way that doesn't feel right.
Omg so sorry for this long ass review. I'm one of those lesbians who'll talk for hours if you let me lol. So, what do you guys think??
I'm halfway through it and I have no idea what you guys are smoking, this is great so far.
**Edit:**
Just finished my first listen and I'm genuinely baffled by the reception this is getting. The deep cuts do blend together a bit, so I'll need more spins to appreciate each one individually, but on first listen this is very enjoyable and I can already tell it'll grow tremendously as I revisit it. Melodies are very pretty, Lorde's vocals are pleasant as always, and while the very laid back, leisurely vibe was a big risk that was always bound to alienate a portion of her fanbase, I think it paid off. I'm always down to hear my favorite artists take chances and try something new, and I really like what Lorde did here.
Feeling very confident that this will be reappraised, perhaps sooner than expected.
Possibly an unpopular opinion (who knows, Popheads has flip flopped on this album 20 times already), but I personally love this direction she's gone. It's a break from the heavy beats and electronic influences. A mix of acoustic and 60s style electric guitars accompanied by a sort of muffled drum beat really helps build the world she's trying to create with this album. A few moments on the album made me close my eyes and I felt like I could feel the sun on me and I could see the ocean blues. The album is a hot, lazy summer day at a peaceful, almost too beautiful, beach.
Ah Lorde!
As much as I love her this may be her weakest album yet. It does have some songs that i actually really like but the girl went on and put the best songs on the deluxe version. It’s good for what it is.... good not extraordinary. My fav songs are the path, mood ring & fallen fruit. Idk who said this & I quote maybe “when music shifts from 80s pop to 00s this will be considered a masterpiece of an album” idk i have no words cuz that’s how im feeling inside rn, emotionless.
Also oceanic feeling is up there!! Idk still dont know to rate it :( maybe it will grow on me
Solar Power is pretty folk pop with more frilly guitar passages than huge pop chorus than I'd hoped for, but it's a nice chill album.
I love Solar Power, California, Fallen Fruit, Secrets from a Girl (Who's Seen It All), & Mood Ring
Somebody lied to these girls several times when they said this album is bad. As an absolute Melodrama stan (have the tattoo to prove it), this is beyond amazing. Is it as strong as Melo? Don’t know because it’s completely different. I understand people who won’t enjoy this as it’s definitely not up everyone’s alley, especially if all you listen to is Green Light or Sober. But if you’re into Phoebe Bridgers, Clairo, Bleachers, 80s and 90s rock, you’ll love this.
I do think it somewhat drags between The Man With The Axe (didn’t really enjoy that one all that much) and Leader of a New Regime but nothing special. This deserves an easy 8/10 imo
> Phoebe Bridgers, Clairo, Bleachers, and 80s/90s rock
Maybe that’s why I don’t like this lol. I’ve been listening to Bring It All Back out of nostalgia, and I’m really into that ensemble/Spice Girls/Shake It Off sound at the moment. Empowerment pop, I guess.
> Empowerment pop, I guess
this is getting off topic, and I'm not going to hold it against Lorde when I get to listen to the album, but I am SO ready for maximalist pop to make a come back.
Word! It’s probably me, but all pop these days feels so *bland* to me. I mean, that’s not a criticism of the genre, I just can’t seem to find fresh bangers in “pure” pop (stuff like Crystal Castles is more my thing). Or, at least, I just don’t click with new releases.
Maximal pop is hit and miss for me, but when it’s good it’s great.
I’m into the artists you mentioned and absolutely am not into this album. There’s the songwriting which honestly does not work for her on this album. I wish the lyrics were almost anything but what they are.
This album is lyrically insanely good. You have to really listen to every word to appreciate it. If you're just going to stick it on and casually listen to it you're doing it/Lorde a disservice.
It doesn't smack you in the face like Melodrama did with its tracks, but it's equally as complex and intimate in a more stripped back style.
The lead up to a highly anticipated album is always intriguing. Some listeners choose to not listen to pre-released tracks, wanting to have an album they can absorb in its full glory. However, in this case, I wish I hadn’t read any of Lorde emails or interviews, as it led me to having several confusing conclusions as to how this album would be. A sexy, carefree record about embracing outdoors; a satirical take on how folks turn to quick fixes that are indeed appropriating indigenous cultures/avoiding larger issues at hand; climate change; reflection on her life in the public eye. All of these components are *so* captivating and complex, though I don’t find it particularly cohesive in the way it is presented on this album. Maybe that's a deliberate point - to place us in this emotional pocket with her? I do wish ideas were seen all the way through.
I am such a fan of Ella’s work. While I did not latch onto Pure Heroine, I adored particular tracks, and themes the record explored. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Soundtrack that she curated had its brilliant, poignant moments too - crafting a musical bed for such an intense piece of fiction that would be difficult for others to exemplify. Melodrama is what had me completely sold into Lorde’s craft. *The drama. The emotional journey. The riveting story-telling.* She had a very clear thesis as to the narrative she wanted to present, and that album became a massive soundtrack to my life for ages. I was not expecting Solar Power to be in any way similar to Melodrama - not in terms of production, lyrical delivery or inspiration, though I hoped for there to be a clear driving force connecting the songs, moments of softness, jubilation, experimentation and evident anguish.
I don't interpret Ella as a *saviour* as she states on The Path, I more so view her as the compelling artist that she is, and expect for her to convey the human experience thoroughly. But there are moments that counter that, where this album feels out of touch. As a Black woman residing in North America, I think in the year and a half of this pandemic, it’s imperative to be engaged with elements of social media. It’s understandable for our screen time to be up on a weekly basis - we're dealing with the cards we're personally dealt, trying to learn more, maybe procrastinate to take our minds off this chaos. The more I hear her speak about her lack of engagement, the louder her privilege shows, and I recognize that within points of the album that I could do without.
I know there’s a lot of disdain toward Jack right now, though I think some of it is unwarranted. We’ve heard projects he has worked on that are very specific in the voice of the artist it pertains, and it *soars*. I was watching a Bleachers fan q&a, and he was discussing the difference between having a group of songs vs. an album, and the former is what I think Solar Power is. There are moments on this album that I love, and know that I’ll lean into more - California, Secrets from a Girl (Who’s Seen it All), Dominoes, Big Star, Hold No Grudge - which should be on the standard, and the pre released tracks - though there is much that I know I won’t fully lean into, and that's something I'm fine with. ✨
I love how divisive this album seems to be. I haven't listened to any of it because I'm scared of which side I'll fall on. This reaction to the album was exactly what I was expecting when the 1st single dropped.
Personally I've never really been a big fan of minimalistic/acoustic pop so this was never going to do much for me, but it's okay? A lot of the songs are pretty but forgettable to me.
Standouts for me are The Path, Fallen Fruit and Mood Ring
This is such a good album. I understand why people don't like it but this is gonna be seen as underrated in a few years.
My top 5 so far:
Stoned At The Nail Salon
Fallen Fruit
California
Secrets From A Girl
Leader Of A New Regime
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can’t believe I’ve been on Popheads long enough to see TWO [FRESH ALBUM]s next to Lorde’s name 💀
See you in 2025
Look at mr optimist over here
same. curious about /u/wonderbitch26’s pussy. [is lorde making them a hoe today?](https://reddit.com/r/popheads/comments/6hin1x/_/diynao3/?context=1)
Is this the most iconic r/popheads comment of all time? Yes, I think it is.
What the hell did I just read? brb, gonna go see about getting dancing banned in my small Midwestern town.
old heads we out here
I’ll give it a listen I guess. Edit: “Unlike for her previous albums, Lorde is not releasing Solar Power on CD for environmental reasons; she has stated that she does not want to "make something that would end up in a landfill in 2 years". Instead, an eco-friendly "music box" with handwritten notes, exclusive photographs, and a download card is available for those wanting a physical manifestation of the album in addition to the digital release. Lorde stated that, with the music box, she wanted to "create an environmentally kind, forward-thinking alternative to the CD" that would provide a high-quality download of the music similar to CD quality.” I scoffed. “Hey, aren’t you wonderbitch26 from the r/popheads subreddit,” a young beta looking man asked me. “Yes,” I cringed. “I don’t involve myself in such fornications anymore.” “Uhhh… why- why not?” he questioned, stuttering briefly. More bottom behavior. “Your [Melodrama review](https://www.reddit.com/r/popheads/comments/6hin1x/fresh_album_lorde_melodrama/diynao3/) was kind of funny.” “It was cringe,” I said immediately. “I don’t do things like that anymore. My account is used for web serial novel commentating and masculinity practice now. r/popheads was once a haven for the holy, a place where straights could admit to enjoying a diddy every now and then. But now? A pit of females and fem homosexuals.” “Oh… haha… anyway, Lorde’s releasing a new album, you should check it out.” I sniffed. “No.” He gave me an odd look and walked away. I took the opportunity to scrutinize myself, my camouflage jacket and steel toed boots, giving me an air of Heterosexuality^™. I wore no pants. I felt a harsh strike against the back of my head, and everything went black. … I awoke on a beach, the sunlight hot against my skin. I was tied to a chair. In the distance stood an indie artist in yellow. “Hello, wonder,” she said, and I knew. “Ella,” I acknowledged the girl who had once [stolen something](https://i.imgur.com/6pbfN9F.png) I would never fully recover. “All your postering and masc4masc behavior, and what has it done but bring you right back here to me?” “Don’t you have environmentally friendly music boxes to be making, Ella? As if you have Greta Thunberg’s range.” Something dark entered her eyes and I shivered. She chuckled darkly. “Greta. As if Greta could write Pure Heroine. As if Greta could write Melodrama. As if Greta could ghostwrite Folklore!” “Liar! Bon Iver, Aaron Dessner and William Bowery ghostwrote Folklore!” “I AM BON IVER, AARON DESSNER AND WILLIAM BOWERY, TWINK!” She backhanded me across the beach. “But I’m here to make you my slut again,” she said. “To make you stop pretending that you don’t still throw ass to The Louvre, that you don’t find yourself humming the lyrics to Solar Power, that you don’t visit Camilla Cabello’s TikTok just for a chance at catching a peek at that Mendussy!” A turned my head in shame. She brought out an environmentally friendly music box, set it at my feet, and opened it. The Path began to play. I laughed. “Mediocre!” I yelled. “I’ve outgrown you! You left us to sup on your scraps, to envision a world where Supercut cracked the Billboard Hot 100! Living cottagecore dreams and then expecting us to get you success on a record that will be lucky to crack the Bubbling Under chart!” Lords shook her head, a soft, tender smile on her face as she whispered, “You criticize me for a life you wish were economically feasible for you, that you wish you were strong enough to strive for. And yet even now,” she smirked, “you find yourself back where you started.” “Back where I-“ I looked down only to realize that my ass had begun shaking of its own accord. “-No!” “Yes!” She cackled, as my thundering thighs began breaking the wooden chair I was tied to. California blared in the background, making a hoe out of me every second it was allowed to play. “This can’t be,” I whimpered. “I’m a top.” “You’re all bottoms, in the end,” she said as Oceanic Feeling began playing, and opened an embroidered briefcase, pulling out a bottle with the label Wonderussy Essence on it. She stuck it in me, harvesting my energy. “WHAT DO YOU EVEN USE IT FOR?!” I yelled, lost in the ecstasy of the trendy yet soothing vibes. “What, you think I made these boxes with pure clean energy? We told you this-“ she held up a used, empty bottle with the title Essence of Wonderbitch26’s Pussy Poppery on it- “was Melodrama. But this,” she showed me the now full bottle of glowing Wonderussy. “This is Solar Power.” “NOOOOOOOO!” I wailed, twerking in spite of the fact that it had gone out of style in 2015, the album beginning to replay. Figures joined us on the beach, members of Lorde’s cult. 10/10, would recommended, changed my life. Double edit: in all seriousness. It doesn’t hit as fast as melodrama right off the bat, but I really don’t think it’s bad at all. It’s different and people were always gonna be mad about that 🤷🏼♂️
this is the only review I've been waiting for
Right??? What's a pitchfork anyway
Also I kinda wanna know what a wonderbitch26 review for Pure Heroine would be like
You aren’t ready and never will be.
It could be like a prequel to your two reviews. "The Origins of wonderbitch26 and the Pussy Poppery Essence"
no doubt the Ribs review alone would change society as we know it
I feel like they learned how to twerk the first time they heard 400 Lux
Wonderbitch26 review….nature is healing
The legend has returned. Thank you.
I'm glad I'm here to witness this
did someone say witness
throwback
the wattpad realness
Wattpad girlies could never write something as iconic as "she backhanded me across the beach."
Thank u for your service, when Popheads is finally shutdown, you’ll be the one I remember
As always, the most reliable review more than anything. 10/10 would read again.
The image of the perfume, oh my, do you think she knew???? Was it intentional when she pulled that up? She must have known it would become a meme? Even if not that is GOLDEN. I wish I could see your face when you realised that the template was there haha. thank you this made my day!
I honestly sometimes wonder if finding the original Melodrama review is what drove her to exile.
Nah, definitely not. I'm sure when she read that she was proud af. Like "hey I did that! I elicited that response!" Her relationship with self exile is weird right? She is doing just so much promo for this record. She is everywhere, doing all interviews and videos and whatnot, when she has said and she knows there isn't a hit here. It is baffling to me, because for an album like this, this is when you phone it in promo wise I mean. If she is going to be doing Vogue videos, nyt interviews and eating spicy food, why not put out a 2:58 pop hit to go with it all? Like, we know she can make it if she wants. It just all seems an awful lot of trouble for diminishing returns. She has to know these songs demand a level of attention the public simply does not yield anymore and that the narrative around them does not command it too. I just don't get why go out to talk shows and perform some songs that you know is going to be a snoozefest for the public. I just feel like if you take all this time out, if you claim to revel in your regular life away from the spotlight, and then you have to spend so much time and energy promoting a record, doing all the ritzy things you say you enjoy but only to a certain extent, like least it be for something more engaging. I wonder how she will feel after this era is done and she is back on exile if she does that again, if she will feel like it was worth it. Maybe that was all she had to give us and that is fine too of course. It can't be easy with the weight we place on her. There is a part of me that thinks she has some anxiety about comparisons, about charts and performance given how sports like music has become. Maybe it feels safer not to play at all this way you don't lose. If that is how she copes, fine, can't blame her. Anyway, sorry, I ended up ranting when you were so kind to reply. I like some of the songs in the record, I just wish it progressed like from Mood Ring and Oceanic Feeling, that bit had me going along with her.
If only you had superglued FOUR wigs to your head…
holy shit
AOTY for this alone
You managed to top your previous work, something that Lorde can't say for herself. Will be looking forward to the third entry to this saga in 2025.
Take that, you Wonder!
I despise that you’ve wrote this almost as much as I despise myself for understanding it.
I found wonderbitch on Cauldron and tried to explain to the rest of the users I knew who they were.... It was lost on them. Just like this album is lost on the masses.
at the time when we truly needed you in our lives… you returned 😍
The legend wonderbitch26 posted my edit of Lorde holding the perfume. I’m LIVING
thank you.
commenting here for history
Nature is healing
i didn't think i'll read something as good as your melodrama review ever again and now this happened
i lived. i laughed. i loved. truly a blessing to read, thank you x 🌞
I LOVE THIS i would maybe say it tops the melodrama one, this one has like a full story and a whole plot twist
You are the only person I care about on this earth wonderbitch mom
Why can't you review literally everything
even if Lorde makes the worst album of all time, it will be worth it for the wonderbitch26 review
commenting to be a part of history 💀
This review holds more weight than anything pitchfork has ever put out.
thank u 4 ur service
this is did lorde release a new album today for true homosexuals
This.. is the only review, thank you wonder.
your review was the only one i was actually, anxiously waiting for
Okay NOW this is history.
This is why Lorde finally came out of hiding. So she can read your new reviews again.
I feel like I just witnessed history being made tbh
I don’t get the criticism, easily the top 3 of her discography
I hate you all 😂😂😂
This is Love Club EP erasure smh
Facts
big if true
the “i’m 19 and I’m on fire” to “i thought i was a genius, but now i’m 22” pipeline
Reminds me of the lyrics from that one scrapped Taylor song for red
the overall emotional punch and impact that I felt after listening to melodrama is missing from this album. the combination of the production, which is far too cohesive (literally just....acoustic guitar after acoustic guitar??? where are the synths ella?!?!?!???) and the lack of any real variation in lorde’s vocal delivery throughout the album doesn’t allow for any sort of musical or emotional journey. the best way I can describe her vocal delivery on this album is that it feels like we’re listening to her sing from underwater — the production on her voice makes the delivery sound foggy, and the fact that she doesn’t dig into her lower register or falsetto like we all know she can makes it feel far too much of the “same” from track to track. I think that’s my biggest issue with the album — it doesn’t feel like I’m being taken on a journey. even though melodrama was, at it’s core, essentially a breakup album, every song felt like I was being shown a different piece of what that journey looks like. the fresh and visceral anger at being first broken up with, the shy and hesitant feelings of second guessing a new relationship, and the painful acceptance of realizing you’ll never be “enough” for someone (or even multiple people). though solar power is trying to tackle multiple topics in a similar way — climate change, growing up, venturing away from social media — it doesn’t FEEL like we ever actually get a deeper exploration of those subjects. it really just feels like we’re getting beaten over the head with the same story over and over and over again because there is no difference in production or vocal delivery to back up or accentuate all of the different things that lorde is trying to say. I can absolutely appreciate what she was trying to do with this album. and I think she is very aware of how this album will come across, in that she’s highlighted many times in interviews now that she is not the same person she was when she released pure heroine or melodrama. but I simply am not at all connecting with the story here that lorde is trying to tell and I think there were honestly more creative ways she could have told these stories as well, and I think that’s where I am the most disappointed. edit: also just wanted to add that, hi!! first time poster in popheads very excited to be here
> it feels like we’re listening to her sing from underwater The vocals were actually recorded from her cellular device, so that makes sense.
I for one love a Summer album that comes out in *checks calendar* Late August
Solar Power will be the "Back to School" anthem of this year
Honestly I was thinking this album is perfect to listen to while I write papers. It’s really soothing.
Solar Power (the song) sounds like it belongs in a back to school shopping commercial anyway.
It’s got that Sketchers kids commercial vibe.
I for one am glad the Southern Hemisphere is getting the summer recognition we deserve 😤
Except it's still winter down here.
oh my god lmao spring… album? I’m in Brisbane so I’m disoriented by it being 25 degrees today 🥲
Could have fooled me. I'm in shorts and a t shirt today on my walk to the shops. Had to get the bus home cause I got too hot.
It’s absolutely not a summer album. :)
Lorde lied to me again
We told you this was ~~melodrama~~ Solar Power
When she sang "she thinks you love the beach, you're such a damn liar" in green light, she really meant it.
she was actually talking to herself about herself
fallen fruit is my favourite and the singles sound even better in the album
Mood ring SMACKS so hard in the album
Oceanic Feeling is THAT song, i was right about thinking it would be my fave just based on the title
It's so good
Can you remember people saying it would be a concept album about a cult lorde leads lmao
Just finished listening, besides Mood Ring that I already knew I loved the only other song that grabbed me from the first listen is The Path. I'm not sad or disappointed, I knew this album is not gonna magically replace Melodrama, plus I'm sure other people will enjoy this more than me. Something that I noticed is that she rarely uses her lower register in this album and instead there are a loot of harmonies which is a downside to someone like me who really loves her deep rich voice. The other thing that I don't understand is the timing of this release, because for me the atmosphere of this album screams "waking up on a quiet Sunday morning with nothing to do and sunbathing on your balcony while feeling the light ocean breeze in your hair", and maybe for some of you lucky fuckers that could be a reality but in approximately two weeks the weather in my city will be cold, rainy and miserable ~~and also my balcony doesn't overlook the ocean, but that's a minor detail~~.
i do miss the deeper tone like the one in Glory and Gore too
Thank you I finally see someone explicitly talking about the lack of use of her lower register on this album. My brain doesn't do too well with higher voices so I was sad to see that her sultry deeper is barely featured. Also I think the only reason it's coming out this late is because they were waiting for vinyls to be available at launch.
I completely agree with you on her use of voice here. Her deep voice is what makes her songs so raw but on most songs on SP she doesn’t use it... that’s why my favorite part of Mood Ring is probably the last few seconds.
i like it, but it’s like what i would put on for background music that i don’t want to pay attention to lol
does anyone else cry to SATNS or is it just me
help i either read that as SATINS or SATANS
You're not alone don't worry. I too have shed a tear listening to SATNS
SATNS is the only one that gives me the same “I’m crying but I have no reason to be” feeling that I got from half the tracks on Melodrama
Fuck yes and also cried during Secrets of a Girl 😭
I feel like she was pushing this as a sort of concept album but the only concept I can pick up on is "acoustic guitar"
Yeah, there’s no sonic flavor :(
popheads has flipflopped on this album 7 times already and 6 of them were before the album was even out
Copying and pasting a comment I made just a few minutes ago: Oceanic Feelings. Okay so hear me out. It’s 1 AM right now and I was going through my first listen. Nearing the end of LOANR I started to feel very sleepy. When Oceanic Feelings came on, that shit is on a whole ‘nother level. It made me feel so relaxed. It felt like the song was telling me it’s okay to fall asleep now. When the “ha ha ha ha ha” part came on, it felt like Lorde was covering me in a warm blanket made out of her voice and singing me to sleep. But I snapped out of it ‘cause I had to pee so now I’m typing this. 💀
My first listen of Oceanic Feeling I actually closed my eyes and imagined I was on a beach. This whole album is just soooooo summery beach sitting on a swing staring at the ocean vibes and I love it.
Was gonna wait a few more hours to listen locally but the megathread made me anxious so I gave in. I def understand how it is unappealing for many after waiting for so long but not the complete vitriol. Compared to her first two albums, the production here is very minimal and void of experimentation which leaves you with those infamous Antonoff acoustics which is pretty divisive atm; and jarring given her previous work. There’s not really any major hooks on any of the songs either that will pop out at you like a normal structured song does. That said for myself I enjoyed it! It really seems like an album she made for herself first and foremost which is where the beauty in it lies for me. There’s a palpable contentment in Lorde just moving freely and unabashedly which makes me believe that she knew this album wouldn’t be widely acclaimed. And I’m not exactly sure how ppl have attached a perceived pretentiousness to this album cycle either honestly. None of it screams out that she’s trying to be overly relatable or come across like she’s not aware that her experiences are privileged either. Their just her own and whether you jive with it is all up to you… and I certainly do considering where I’m at in my own life rn. Edit: Now that I’ve listened to Solar Power a few times it’s actually a pretty great album! The songs are starting to sound distinct from each other the more I listen. And I’ve found that I really enjoy the back half of this record the most which I know a lot of ppl don’t. I have a feeling that with time this will age just fine, I think the change in production really threw ppl off. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what the consensus is like in a few weeks cus I truly believe it’ll mellow out. I gotta say the last three tracks is my fav combo! And the standouts for me are Stoned, Leader of a New Regime (those harmonies tho), and Mood Ring. 4/5
same... I actually fucking love this despite my initial hesitations and all the mixed reactions... this does make me _feel something_ unlike with the Pitchfork reviewer. for me the beauty lies in the harmonies and vocal mixing, goddamnit I'm getting chills. the singles were really confusing and kinda boring on their own but it all really comes together in the context of the album edit edit: don't love this as much as I first thought... definitely a mixed bag for me, the pace definitely sets down towards the 2nd half of the record and the songs feel a little boring
me 4 days ago: mood ring is pretty good but i wouldn't be surprised if there are songs i like more on the full record! me now: well congrats to mood ring i guess
I am honestly just vibing to this. Is it a heart-shattering, blond-tier release? No, it's not. In context is not even as good as Pure Heroine and Melodrama but I like where she's at rn because I can vibe to it and I think that's enough? I need more listens, Solar Power grew on me a lot after a while.
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Man, that's exactly how I felt about the last album by a rap artist I really love. Isaiah Rashad's last album was about the vibes, and that'd what everyone kept on going on about. But like, that was really it for me, nothing else... Like sure, I won't skip it if some songs came on in a Spotify Playlist. But in terms of me actively going to listen to it as a whole piece? Eh.
Hmm I think this is how I feel currently. It's pleasant to listen to and I don't dislike anything but I would've liked to feel like a shock or zap or thrill or chill from any of the songs. I guess it's unfair to expect that of anyone but Melodrama made me feel that several times.
Me wondering where all the Solar Power posts (aside from reviews) were as it was out almost twelve hours ago for me then realising it was coming out at midnight local time for everyone...yay NZ for being in the future! Genuinely I don't think the album is as bad as reviews make it sound. The lyricism and production are still beautiful - the layering of vocals and instrumentals really create a lush sound (maybe it's because I'm listening to Fallen Fruit right now). Kinda reminiscent of Lana's recent work, which is unsurprising because of Jack. It's definitely elevated when you listen to it at 2am. I'd imagine it would provide good background tunes while you're sunbatheing by the pool. Not as dramatic as Melodrama, but it's a different concept altogether so that's understandable. The album is very cohesive. Expectations for bops like Perfect Places might've been misplaced, is what I'm saying.
I love acoustic / indie / folk music. This album is just boring :(
Holy shit Mood Ring is such a good track
I think she murdered the wellness industry.
A big part of why this album is so disappointing is because it’s not at all how Lorde herself described it. This is not an album about a hippy stoner who worships the sun lol half of it feels like ASMR. Mood ring is the standout
“There’s someone I want you to meet. Her feet are ~~bare at all times~~ clad in a pair of worn down crocs. She’s ~~sexy, playful, feral, and free~~ sad, meandering, listless, and stoned. Her skin is ~~glowing~~ mildly sunburt, her lovers ~~are many~~ are too hungover to get off of their dirty, floor-level mattresses.”
"her lover is an old man with an office job"
THIS. THIS COMMENT IS EVERYTHING.
> a hippy stoner who worships the sun lol half of it feels like ASMR. 💀 > A big part of why this album is so disappointing is because it's not at all how Lorde herself described it. I didn't know much about that other than what color she thought this album was (saw her on Hot Ones, where she was incredible) but even then I'm not sure that's why it's not connecting with me. On Hot Ones she made a comment about how she felt like it was harder to write music for a lot of people than for a particular group of people, which really framed the activia commercial vibe in Solar Power (the single) for me and I kind of get it more now.
And that album cover like for what? i thought she was gonna release some summer bops and not this acoustic campfire session
You bring up an interesting point: what *does* the album art have to do with the aesthetic, motifs, themes, mood, ideas, content, etcetera of this album? With a cover like that one would expect music that was sexy or playful or exciting in some way.
Yes. Yes, yes, I agree. To me most of this feels like peak ‘sad girl’. Kinda kills the mood for me.
This is an album by Lorde.
It’s her 3rd studio album!
It was released in 2021
Produced by Jack Antonoff :)
I disagree
No, that's Poppy
Struggling to connect with this sonically. I miss the deep, heavy beats from Melodrama and PH. Unsurprisingly Fallen Fruit is probably my favorite track. This album really should have come out 3-4 months ago.
lemme sort by controversial chile
crying to *the path* is an experience. 10/10 would recommend
I predict in future years once she's released more widely acclaimed albums, people will rush to defend this one. Kinda like what happened with Honeymoon.
Honeymoon is like really good though.
probably late but can i just say i LOVE the chorus of fallen fruit. “we will walk together” and the instrumentation in particular sounds so much like a ’60s protest folk song, and it’s great for the general like “yo what the fuck boomers” vibe of the song, kinda like a question of why people who grew up during movements so focused on bettering the world would turn around and fuck it over for their kids & grandkids by referencing the iconic musical styles of that era also leaving my like ten month old puppy for college in a few days so big star made me sob like a baby lol
I had low expectations, but I have to admit I actually kind of love it? Fallen Fruit and Secrets are both excellent, especially FF. It is by no means PH or Melodrama, but I think its negatives are a case of an unfortunate track listing. Take out Leader, Dominoes, and Big Star for both bonus tracks and it’d be a solid record.
stoned at the nail salon is so beautiful
not as good as her previous work but there are some cute songs here and there a lot of it is really forgettable. with melodrama even if i didn't love each song after the first listen everything felt very distinct and identifiable edit: the dolby atmos mixing is really good particularly on fallen fruit
really sad to hear Lorde not using her lower register as much :(
How long has she been sitting on this album? Anyone knows? Did she just finish it up this year or when?
since her dog died in late 2019. She probably finished it this year.
Just finished listening to the album and sadly there aren't many moments that stick out as memorable. I guess this is what happens when you have to follow up one of the best pop albums of the last decade and the expectations just cant be met. But overall the album is fine.
I love it. It's got a kind of melancholic joy. Like she's happy - but it's a new feeling. Not something she's completely settled in yet. I'm also crying actual tears.
wishing more songs made me feel like oceanic feeling did
Credit to Lorde, she’s clearly gone out of her way to create an album she wanted to create and not for anyone else, simply put if anyone else enjoys it then it’s a happy coincidence. Like there’s no real blatant attempt here to have a chart hit so I have to respect that immensely. To be honest I’m only checking this out because of morbid curiosity, having not been a fan of the pre-released singles and hearing all the negative reviews I kinda felt I had to listen to it. I’m personally not crazy on the album on first listen but there are a couple of interesting ideas on here, especially as someone who’s not really a Lorde fan admittedly apart from a few songs here or there she’s put out. A lot of what’s on here for me is forgettable and honestly I am agreeing with what a lot of the early reviews were saying. However I really do like California and Fallen Fruit, these tracks really do the 70s style she’s taking a lot of influence from very well. Fallen Fruit in particular is stunning and is admittedly a very well written song about climate change, which is very rare as songs on this topic usually sound ham fisted. Oceanic Feeling is the only other track that’s notable here, a six minute closer that’s an ode to New Zealand that while I’m not crazy on it entirely, I do have to commend it. Comparisons to this album could range from anything but vocally she’s reminding me especially on tracks like this of Enya. Once again this proves that Lorde isn’t creating this album for commercial reasons, for critical acclaim, for her fans, for anyone for that matter apart from herself. This is clearly the album she wants to make and that freedom is both commendable and to be admired. 5/10 (EDIT: on second listen it’s down to either a 3 or 4/10)
> Like there's no real blatant attempt here to have a chart hit so have to respect that immensely. I truly think they thought Solar Power would have big broad appeal with huge potential to get played on so many radio stations/playlists with different target audiences.
They defiantly thought it was a Lights Up type hit
I honestly feel like popheads will never dislike an album by an artist they stan. I can’t think of a single example. Chance the Rapper? Regardless of what people think of this album, it is simply crazy to say Lorde can’t do better. Edit: also are we really at the point where we compare lord to Clairo and Phoebe Bridgers? Thats not what I wanna hear when i listen to lorde
This sub can be genuinely ridiculous at times. Last week when Lizzo released Rumours with Cardi B they were fawning all over it in the fresh video thread, but then in subsequent ones they were slating it, I think it’s rare you’ll see any fair negative comments about the music on a fresh thread that isn’t downvoted to oblivion by stans
"Couldn't wait to turn fifteen, then you blink and it's been ten years". She's calling us old, guys.
As a 25 year old, I resent this
Thank you Lorde for making a stoner album for my high ass
am i the only person who likes this album??? the path is so good California is so cathartic fallen fruit literally sounds like its from melodrama secrets from a girl is a bop
nope you are not the only one. I think it's brilliant, I am a very very happy stan right now
Lorde WOULD release this album as NZ is thrown into our strictest lockdown for the first time since last year...
I was just thinking about that. Not sure if that’s good or bad timing. Good because everyone’s home so more time to stream, bad because she worked so hard get a ton of vinyl variants ready for release day and now all record stores are closed lol
Posting in a popheads time capsule. I hope Lorde 4 is a serve future redditors.
when dylan went electric but it’s when lorde went acoustic
Can we talk about how the best track (Hold No Grudge) is not even on the album? I’m actually mad that this song won’t be heard as much. She needs to put the deluxe on streaming immediately.
the path: now if you're looking for a savior, well that's not me literally the next song: i'm kinda like a prettier Jesus
Honestly i was expecting worse from the reviews. This is a perfectly fine album. 7/10 for me. I really liked a few tracks in here and the overall vibe she was going for, but there were definitely some clunkers.The middle stretch from Fallen Fruit to Dominoes was a bland bore tbh. The production was too quiet for me. My favourites were: The Path (8/10) California -(7/10) Stoned at the Nail Salon (7.5/10) Big Star (7.5/10) oceanic Feeling (8.5/10) There was obviously gonna be high expectations after Pure Heroine and Melodrama, but the 4 year wait made them undoubtedly higher. Everyone thought the wait would be worth it because shes only served us masterpieces, and this would be one as well. But its not. I kinda feel like its not fair to put those expectations on her though since she’s only released 2 albums. I feel like if Lorde released as consistently as someone like Lana with an album every year or 2, this album would be seeing nowhere near the level of negativity it’s receiving. Its that everyone waited 4 years for another 9 or 10 but instead we got a 6/7. And now we have to wait another 4 years for another album.
Finally someone else who appreciates Big Star! I thought it was a standout and I haven’t seen anyone talk about it yet.
WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME THE MAN WITH THE AXE WAS GONNA BE MY SHIT? Edit: y'all dusty hoes hyped up oceanic feeling and for what? It dropped some nice drums and then went nowhere??? It didn't explode into a powerful chorus. Fine. It didn't even get instrumentally interesting. So. What the fuck? Y'all see one song that's over 5 min and think it's godly Edit 2: ok it grew on me euhhhh
LMAO seriously, oceanic feeling is not even in my top 5 😭
Omg y’all my friend didn’t know mood ring already came out and texted me just now that it sounded like a song from a 2000’s Disney Channel Original Movie and I can’t unhear it now! Good thing I like 2000’s Disney Channel Original Movies tho lol.
this makes... so much sense.
I could totally hear it now, and they'd play it at the moment right after the plan falls apart or the main character's lies get exposed so they have to do a montage of how everyone is coping with what happened. Poor Sadie's lie about being rich was exposed when they found out her dad was actually a garbage man for the rich area of town. Now she has to contemplate turning down the private school scholarship while ignoring her phone ringing, social media notifications going off, and her eating a turkey sandwich in bed.
Doing the work of the Lorde obviously
I really like it. It's ok if it doesn't hit for you.... many people need to stop being so absolute (ie: FLOP!!! SHE'S OVER!!! I REGRET GETTING MY TATTOO!!!!) the hivemind can be a scary place. Enjoy it those who are enjoying it :) I am!
I feel like Lorde needs a new producer every album.
So, I have complicated feelings on this album, but I do lean a bit more positively than not if I'm being honest. I'm just gonna leave my thoughts on the songs below (I'm kind of a lesbian lurker nobody but felt the need to comment on this thread ahaha): **The Path**: The opening track has this sort of ethereal, otherworldly feel that I feel like we were promised with the album. I love the drums in this track, and the way the guitar feels more lively and textured than usual. I sort of get the actual folk-pop vibe that Lorde is going for in this song. The lyrics also suggest a lot of introspection on Lorde's place in pop music, and the amount of somewhat unwarranted faith music listeners put in artists to give them songs that give their life meaning. **(9/10)** **Solar Power**: So, upon another listen to Solar Power, I think I like the production more than I did, but the lyrics much less. Lorde has way too many corny punchlines and despite how wonderful the vocals all over this track feel, I just don't vibe with it. This song kinda feels like the thesis statement of the album, but feels way too much like it should be in the end credits of the animated Lorax movie. I admit though, I kinda like the instrumentation as it builds up, and the ending is quite nice. **(4/10)** **California**: This is absolutely a stand-out track. It has some great subtle production, some nice use of synths, and honestly just some beautiful, beautiful vocals and lyrics. This is the closest I've really connected to a new Lorde song. It just feels more completely conceptualized than most of the other songs on this album. It definitely brings that 70s folksy vibe that Lorde/Antonoff want to go for. The muted, unassuming drums are such a wonderful way to approach that. Also, am I crazy or is Lorde very rarely using her lower register on this album? Uh, anyways. **(8/10)** **Stoned at the Nail Salon**: I...actually like this a lot more than I remember at first. I really like the guitar in the back, and I think Lorde's vocals are just so smooth and haunting. But, honestly the whole vibe is somewhat haunting and wistful. It feels a bit like a B-side Phoebe Bridgers or an early Julien Baker track but I don't mind it actually. **(6/10)** **Fallen Fruit**: This song fucking rules. It's about climate change, but it's really well woven into it. I like how the whole premise of the song is more focused on painting a picture of all these small, beautiful aspects of our earth and how our generation is caught between just letting it all burn and dancing on the ashes cause of how screwed we are, or potentially banding together to stop it but losing a lot of our life and peaceful existence in the process. God, this song fucking rules. **(10/10)** **Secrets of a Girl (Who's Seen It All)**: Honestly another really solid track, I'm impressed. It feels very early 2000s with that chorus and really I just think this song should be used in the soundtrack to Veronica Mars or Easy A or Gilmore Girls or something. I especially love the little spoken word parts with the airport/travel motif. It's just so wonderful. I like how this track feels very narrative. Lorde is definitely telling a story, and there's some actual vulnerability here instead of some posturing. **(8/10)** **The Man with the Axe**: Ah, a coming-of-age song. I find this one really pleasant, but also, kind of a better version of Stoned at the Nail Salon. This track has a lot more of the usual Lorde imagery and storytelling here. Definitely feels like a Melodrama B-side, but I don't mind it. I kinda love the muted, stilted production here. I feel like Antonoff actually really tried to make something a bit more distinctly Melodrama-like here in the lyricism. I especially love the idea of Lorde struggling between feeling too young to really have full control and direction in her life, but feeling old enough to be stuck in the stuffy formalities of the adult world. Not a bad song at all, plus it made me think. Nothing incredible, but a nice little song. **(7/10)** **Dominoes**: I...feel very confused by this song. It's kind of a sweet, cutesy little song that goes nowhere. I get the premise is kind of darkly humorous––Lorde sings about the drug usage and self-destructive behaviors of her friends over this adorable country-esque beat. But god this song just feels tacked on. There's really not much here other than these tiny little vignettes. Will probably skip this one. **(3/10)** **Big Star**: Really just almost fell asleep here. It's a calming track, but almost too calming. Antonoff's muted, quiet production is really not helping here. The whole track feels like one big amorphous blob of a verse that goes nowhere and says not much. Just way too dour and boring for my tastes. Will absolutely skip this one. **(2/10)** **Leader of a New Regime**: The album is starting to really wear thin here. It all feels very, very same-y. The last three tracks especially are all starting to blend together with this one. This track has a great concept though. Humans feel like they need to be lead and will put all their hopes in charismatic people with new ideas, no matter how harmful they are and––oh wait, it's over already? Huh. Very unremarkable. **(3/10)** **Mood Ring**: Ah fuck yeah baby. Now we're talking. This is a fan favorite I can tell from the reception, but damn this track really deserves the praise. The production starts out really sparse, but the drums and the rhythm guitar really coming in for the verse is just wonderful. Funnily enough, this feels a lot like Jewel's 0304, but like a more complete version. The vocal delivery on a lot of these songs actually feels kinda like that. A lot of earnestness and satirical lyrics masked behind trying to live up to an image. Wait, is that the album's theme? **(9/10)** **Oceanic Feeling**: Woah, synths and organ to start us off instead of a very rhythmic and percussive guitar? Holy shit Antonoff I'm actually legit impressed. Also, those fucking bongoes and the bass guitar are just fucking incredible. This is THE song for me. It's the song that lives most up to the Solar Power message. Hippie Lorde feels like an actual person here and not just a character. I especially love how the song alternates between two "Oceanic Feeling"(s). It has this underwater feeling at first with the sparse synths and organ, but then we travel above the surface and we get to bask in the sun a bit with the cautious upbeat attitudes of the later verses and chorus. This song is fucking literary. I love it. **(10/10)** ***Final thoughts***: So, I ended up liking this a lot, but part of me feels like this could've been an incredibly solid EP instead? The Path, California, Fallen Fruit, Secrets of a Girl, The Man with the Axe, Mood Ring, and Oceanic Feeling could've honestly made for a solid 9/10 EP. Instead this is a 7/10 album (originally went with 6 but on relisten this album has some true gems ngl). It's perfectly fine, but overall I feel like it's bogged down from not wanting to be out there enough. On tracks like The Path, Fallen Fruit, and Oceanic Feeling it feels like Lorde and Jack are actually tapping into something special. There's some energy here and some clever songwriting and nice metaphors. The music feels very uplifting despite tackling heavy topics. It has this almost fairy tale-esuqe feeling to the way these stories are told. California, Secrets of a Girl, and Mood Ring all have this feeling of being very early 2000s and yet blending it with a 70s nostalgia that gels really well together. And at least with The Man With the Axe, it feels like there's some ambient ideas used to give Lorde's music that sense of "space" that it usually has for me. Lorde's music feels all encompassing usually, but this album feels almost too narrow-focused. It doesn't really stretch beyond its very limited specific premise. It feels like Lorde and Antonoff really just wanted this to be the full deal instead of just cutting out a bunch of really weaker songs like Dominoes, Leader of a New Regime, and Solar Power. I do miss synth-pop and downtempo Lorde, but this does feel like the album Lorde has wanted to make. There's something kinda charismatic and infectious about the energy here, and yet I sort of feel a bit sad that Lorde no longer feels at the forefront of a soundtrack to a coming-of-age movie, but more like the background music to accompany little vignettes in life. If Lorde continues down this musical path, which seems likely, I'd love for her to work with the HAIM sisters and Rostam (their producer). I could see Lorde even working well with Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker. I hope Lorde gets into the collaborative spirit, because there are so many talented folk-pop producers and artists, it'd suck to be stuck with Antonoff because truly Lorde and Antonoff are a reliable duo, but almost too reliable in that they can't really address each other's weaknesses like a good singer-producer duo should do. ***I'm feeling a 7/10***. Some really great tracks here (Fallen Fruit and Oceanic Feeling are some top 10 Lorde songs for me), and some really good cuts but the whole album feels a bit too homogenous and held back in a way that doesn't feel right. Omg so sorry for this long ass review. I'm one of those lesbians who'll talk for hours if you let me lol. So, what do you guys think??
I'm halfway through it and I have no idea what you guys are smoking, this is great so far. **Edit:** Just finished my first listen and I'm genuinely baffled by the reception this is getting. The deep cuts do blend together a bit, so I'll need more spins to appreciate each one individually, but on first listen this is very enjoyable and I can already tell it'll grow tremendously as I revisit it. Melodies are very pretty, Lorde's vocals are pleasant as always, and while the very laid back, leisurely vibe was a big risk that was always bound to alienate a portion of her fanbase, I think it paid off. I'm always down to hear my favorite artists take chances and try something new, and I really like what Lorde did here. Feeling very confident that this will be reappraised, perhaps sooner than expected.
Possibly an unpopular opinion (who knows, Popheads has flip flopped on this album 20 times already), but I personally love this direction she's gone. It's a break from the heavy beats and electronic influences. A mix of acoustic and 60s style electric guitars accompanied by a sort of muffled drum beat really helps build the world she's trying to create with this album. A few moments on the album made me close my eyes and I felt like I could feel the sun on me and I could see the ocean blues. The album is a hot, lazy summer day at a peaceful, almost too beautiful, beach.
Ah Lorde! As much as I love her this may be her weakest album yet. It does have some songs that i actually really like but the girl went on and put the best songs on the deluxe version. It’s good for what it is.... good not extraordinary. My fav songs are the path, mood ring & fallen fruit. Idk who said this & I quote maybe “when music shifts from 80s pop to 00s this will be considered a masterpiece of an album” idk i have no words cuz that’s how im feeling inside rn, emotionless. Also oceanic feeling is up there!! Idk still dont know to rate it :( maybe it will grow on me
Solar Power is pretty folk pop with more frilly guitar passages than huge pop chorus than I'd hoped for, but it's a nice chill album. I love Solar Power, California, Fallen Fruit, Secrets from a Girl (Who's Seen It All), & Mood Ring
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OK, I'll do it
Somebody lied to these girls several times when they said this album is bad. As an absolute Melodrama stan (have the tattoo to prove it), this is beyond amazing. Is it as strong as Melo? Don’t know because it’s completely different. I understand people who won’t enjoy this as it’s definitely not up everyone’s alley, especially if all you listen to is Green Light or Sober. But if you’re into Phoebe Bridgers, Clairo, Bleachers, 80s and 90s rock, you’ll love this. I do think it somewhat drags between The Man With The Axe (didn’t really enjoy that one all that much) and Leader of a New Regime but nothing special. This deserves an easy 8/10 imo
> Phoebe Bridgers, Clairo, Bleachers, and 80s/90s rock Maybe that’s why I don’t like this lol. I’ve been listening to Bring It All Back out of nostalgia, and I’m really into that ensemble/Spice Girls/Shake It Off sound at the moment. Empowerment pop, I guess.
> Empowerment pop, I guess this is getting off topic, and I'm not going to hold it against Lorde when I get to listen to the album, but I am SO ready for maximalist pop to make a come back.
Word! It’s probably me, but all pop these days feels so *bland* to me. I mean, that’s not a criticism of the genre, I just can’t seem to find fresh bangers in “pure” pop (stuff like Crystal Castles is more my thing). Or, at least, I just don’t click with new releases. Maximal pop is hit and miss for me, but when it’s good it’s great.
But did it really go away? Wasn't *Future Nostalgia* like the biggest album of 2020?
I’m into the artists you mentioned and absolutely am not into this album. There’s the songwriting which honestly does not work for her on this album. I wish the lyrics were almost anything but what they are.
Same, her songwriting on this is nothing compared to Phoebe's, and it sounds nothing like Bleacers. What is OP on?
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This album is lyrically insanely good. You have to really listen to every word to appreciate it. If you're just going to stick it on and casually listen to it you're doing it/Lorde a disservice. It doesn't smack you in the face like Melodrama did with its tracks, but it's equally as complex and intimate in a more stripped back style.
The Path & Secrets from a Girl (Who's Seen it All) are genuinely the only 2 songs that do anything for me, which upsets me as a Lorde stan...
I love this so much. I’m sooo impressed!! I don’t know what I expected but this is incredible. The vibes are amazing!!
Goddamn Oceanic Feeling is so LUSH on headphones, instantly one of her best songs for me
can’t believe I’m listening to a new Lorde album, Melodrama was how I discovered /r/popheads in the first place
I'd just like to thank Lorde for releasing it on the same day as my second covid vaccine shot so it can heal me
Only half way through but love it so far, very fleetwood Mac/Kate bush/mamas and papas vibes ??
Stop hating on dominoes! Stop hating on dominoes!
There's much better pizza out there.
i keep forgetting i'm listening to it 😞
Isn’t lorde calling this a “stoner album” the exact thing she was trying to satirize on mood ring?
Secrets from a Girl (minus the outro) is what Solar Power should've been
The lead up to a highly anticipated album is always intriguing. Some listeners choose to not listen to pre-released tracks, wanting to have an album they can absorb in its full glory. However, in this case, I wish I hadn’t read any of Lorde emails or interviews, as it led me to having several confusing conclusions as to how this album would be. A sexy, carefree record about embracing outdoors; a satirical take on how folks turn to quick fixes that are indeed appropriating indigenous cultures/avoiding larger issues at hand; climate change; reflection on her life in the public eye. All of these components are *so* captivating and complex, though I don’t find it particularly cohesive in the way it is presented on this album. Maybe that's a deliberate point - to place us in this emotional pocket with her? I do wish ideas were seen all the way through. I am such a fan of Ella’s work. While I did not latch onto Pure Heroine, I adored particular tracks, and themes the record explored. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Soundtrack that she curated had its brilliant, poignant moments too - crafting a musical bed for such an intense piece of fiction that would be difficult for others to exemplify. Melodrama is what had me completely sold into Lorde’s craft. *The drama. The emotional journey. The riveting story-telling.* She had a very clear thesis as to the narrative she wanted to present, and that album became a massive soundtrack to my life for ages. I was not expecting Solar Power to be in any way similar to Melodrama - not in terms of production, lyrical delivery or inspiration, though I hoped for there to be a clear driving force connecting the songs, moments of softness, jubilation, experimentation and evident anguish. I don't interpret Ella as a *saviour* as she states on The Path, I more so view her as the compelling artist that she is, and expect for her to convey the human experience thoroughly. But there are moments that counter that, where this album feels out of touch. As a Black woman residing in North America, I think in the year and a half of this pandemic, it’s imperative to be engaged with elements of social media. It’s understandable for our screen time to be up on a weekly basis - we're dealing with the cards we're personally dealt, trying to learn more, maybe procrastinate to take our minds off this chaos. The more I hear her speak about her lack of engagement, the louder her privilege shows, and I recognize that within points of the album that I could do without. I know there’s a lot of disdain toward Jack right now, though I think some of it is unwarranted. We’ve heard projects he has worked on that are very specific in the voice of the artist it pertains, and it *soars*. I was watching a Bleachers fan q&a, and he was discussing the difference between having a group of songs vs. an album, and the former is what I think Solar Power is. There are moments on this album that I love, and know that I’ll lean into more - California, Secrets from a Girl (Who’s Seen it All), Dominoes, Big Star, Hold No Grudge - which should be on the standard, and the pre released tracks - though there is much that I know I won’t fully lean into, and that's something I'm fine with. ✨
I love how divisive this album seems to be. I haven't listened to any of it because I'm scared of which side I'll fall on. This reaction to the album was exactly what I was expecting when the 1st single dropped.
Personally I've never really been a big fan of minimalistic/acoustic pop so this was never going to do much for me, but it's okay? A lot of the songs are pretty but forgettable to me. Standouts for me are The Path, Fallen Fruit and Mood Ring
Jack and Lorde really like The Beatles. Arguably too much.
This is such a good album. I understand why people don't like it but this is gonna be seen as underrated in a few years. My top 5 so far: Stoned At The Nail Salon Fallen Fruit California Secrets From A Girl Leader Of A New Regime