Review 07: Lorde – Solar Power

Global sensation Lorde returns with sun-soaked optimism and weight off her shoulders in a stripped back third album, to mixed effect.

Lorde needs no introduction to listeners across the world after we all fell in love with her debut album Pure Heroine with chart-topping singles like “Royals” and “Team”. The New Zealand-born singer took music lovers by storm, earning her a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album in 2013. Pure Heroine was a charming capsule of adolescense without the glitz and glamour, filled with astute criticisms of teenage culture and interpersonal relationships. Her sophomore album Melodrama was a heartwrenching account of the demise of her relationship, with more upbeat melodies but even more devestating lyrics.

Solar Power was released into the world like a healthy snack when a child asks for chips. Lorde wants us to get outside and enjoy the sunshine, when all we want is to sink into our pillows and wait for the worst to be over. Saccharine at the best of times, the record reads like a self-help book: oversimplified and at times a little out of touch.

That being said, pre-release single “Mood Ring” is a ruthless criticism of western wellness culture and its futility, often shielded behind tarot readings and white linen. The profoundly satirical track assures us that Lorde is still thinking critically, despite her newfound optimism.

Producer and musician Jack Antonoff has been passed around the stars of pop like a joint at a house party in recent years. His work with Taylor Swift on her albums Folklore and Evermore gave the popstar a lyrical rebirth in her most authentic albums to date. Similarly, his collaboration with Clairo polished the 70s folk sound she has settled into with great success. Unfortunately, Jack must have been replaced by an imposter for his work on Solar Power, which lacks the intimacy we needed to balance out the tiresome melodies and at the very least: good vocal mixing.

Now don’t me wrong, I love Lorde. Her debut album soundtracked countless brooding walks to school, followed by Melodrama which hit me with the breakup anthems I needed. There is no shame in an artist changing direction, and I believe without a doubt that musicians do not need to suffer to appease their followers. My problem with Solar Power is not its renewed lease on life, or even its half-hearted lyricism. Lorde is an outstanding artist, and like many listeners I just don’t see much of her in this album. We know from her past releases that she has an incredible voice and even more importantly she is an outstanding writer. The album is just not very good, and that’s okay!

Hopefully in the future we will see Lorde more authentically with the grit and emotion we know and love, whatever that may look like.

Rating: 3/10