Lorde More Than Single

She is sweeping the globe with her young, soulful lyrics and raspy voice.  Her lyrics convey messages that few teens can put into words. No one knows how she became so musically gifted. She is an old soul with her voice, but her words are infused with childish rebellion.

She is Lorde.

She is from New Zealand. She is the first woman to top the alternative chart in 17 years. She is only 16 years old.

Lorde released her first EP in May 2013. She released her first full album, Pure Heroine, on September 27. With her single “Royals” in the top ten on iTunes for weeks, the album leaped to the number 1 spot within two days of its release.

While “Royals” might be the catchy beat that made the world fall in love with the Kiwi, it is a tad overplayed.  I’ll admit that when I first bought it, I played it at least 30 times in a row while on the treadmill at the gym. But now it’s just buzzing in the back of my head.

Other tracks, though not chart-toppers, are worth a listen.

Despite the insanely long “when-will-it-start-already” intro, “Ribs” is far and away my favorite track. Listen to it, and, I promise, you will love its soothing rhythm. The lyrics pull at the heartstrings, begging to be understood.  A much repeated lyric moans the simple truth of these high school days: “I’ve never felt more alone. It feels so scary getting old.”

The best instrumental rhythm is from the one of the only pop songs out of Pure Heroine, “White Teeth Teens.” A sweet harmony of vocals in the background of the chorus, similar to that of “Royals,” entrances. Rolling drums and layers of vocals paint a beautiful song with a hidden message.

However, not every track on the album is a masterpiece. Lorde’s husky voice and awkward instrument combinations cannot save songs such as “Still Sane” or “400 Lux.” While these songs are unique, like Lorde herself, they are just a little bit too strange to be enjoyable.

One last song worth putting on repeat is “Buzzcut Season.” It is not dance music.  It is a melancholy piece about war, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a wonderful song in which to lose yourself on a rainy day.

Lorde has an attitude, as seen in her interviews, and it shines through in her songs. She doesn’t hold back with her lyrics, the world seen through the eyes of a 16 year old.

The teenage years aren’t behind us yet. Lorde’s first hit, “Tennis Courts,” sums it up perfectly: “We’re so happy, even when we’re smilin’ out of fear.”