While Lorde has been featured in various songs, the 20-year-old singer has kept quiet since releasing her debut album “Pure Heroine” in 2013. Songs like “Royals” and “Tennis Court” are considered to be some of her biggest hits and really set Lorde apart from other pop artists. Her sound and “Tumblr goth” aesthetic was a breath of fresh air in the pop and indie scene. The four-year silence was broken earlier this year when festivals, such as Coachella and Lollapalooza, began announcing their lineups and while not headlining, Lorde’s name was placed pretty high towards the top. Fans were excited about the imminent return of Lorde, and began to wonder what she had in store for 2017.
The silence was finally broken when the announcement came for the new single “Green Light” which was released on March 2. Her second album was also announced to be titled “Melodrama” and will be released on June 16, making the perfect summer soundtrack. “Green Light” turned out to be include a completely different sound for Lorde that was welcomed by all. From the opening line, “I do my makeup in somebody else’s car,” fans are guaranteed to start dancing, screaming and crying as the song builds up to the chorus “I’m waiting for it! That green light! I want it!”
While “Green Light” is best played being blasted at a party, Lorde’s next single is an emotional one and can be considered much truer to form. The song “Liability” a week after “Green Light” was released and then performed on Saturday Night Live with collaborator and friend Jack Antonoff, the brain behind Bleachers. This piano ballad is told from the perspective of her crying in a taxi after experiencing heartbreak from a toxic lover, as she sings on the chorus “You’re a little much for me / You’re a liability / You’re a little much for me.” Expect a few tears to come with this melodramatic (no pun intended) track.
Lorde’s highly anticipated return to the stage took place at Coachella this past April performing Sunday night at the main stage. This was the perfect opportunity for her to perform new songs from “Melodrama” for the first time including “Homemade Dynamite” and “Sober,” that was actually performed at a surprise show at an intimate southern California venue. Both new songs were well-received by those in attendance, with similar themes from her previous two singles. “Homemade Dynamite” being a mellow song that you can definitely vibe with, while “Sober” is more of an upbeat jam featuring a surprising horns section in the chorus as she proclaims herself as queen of the weekend.
What can fans expect from “Melodrama” when it is finally released? It might be too soon to tell. Even with only two singles officially released, it was more than enough to get a taste for what Lorde has in store for us. All of her songs seem to relate to the experiences of young 20-somethings whether it is dancing at a house party with your best friends or being heartbroken by your significant other. She has been there before and has persevered.
