RATING: 8/10
Lorde is finally back with her new retro-infused album Solar Power on which it finally feels like she's completed her journey of self-discovery.
Lorde was only 16 when she released her first album, and it's safe to say that as she's grown up her music has grown with her. Her music regularly told the trials and tribulations of being the average young person growing up in modern times, documenting heartbreak, insecurities, and much more. But, now in her mid-twenties, it seems like Lorde has found self-love and self-acceptance, but not without some melancholy musings along the way.
The album opens with 'The Path' on which Lorde muses on the way she's perceived to the world and to her fans. Lorde is known for having music that people really gravitate towards and relate to when they're going through a tough time, but it seems that she's decided to address the pressure that leaves on her as an artist as the chorus says "Now if you're looking for a savior, well that's not me / You need someone to take your pain for you? / Well, that's not me'. Lorde has boldly made it clear from the getgo this album is not going to save your life, however, with the lyrics that follow 'Let's hope the sun will show us the path', it shows that she's hoping this new album will bring a different kind of emotional support in a more positive sense, both for her and the listener. Once you look at it this way, suddenly Solar Power becomes a much more interesting project.
It's safe to say that with her first two singles 'Solar Power' and 'Stoned at The Nail Salon' Lorde honed in on the two completely parallel sounds and messages from Solar Power. One an upbeat ode to feeling relaxed in the warmth of summer, the other telling the reality of not really knowing where you're going or what you're doing with your life. It seems these two themes intertwine intermittently throughout Solar Power, with the general message being 'I don't really know what I'm doing, but I feel pretty good about that'.
The deeper you delve into Solar Power, the more you realise how much is inspired by the world around us all. Although it's very human issues and feelings being discussed, there's a lot of commentary about the Earth and how its changing weaved in amongst. 'Fallen Fruit' is a clear commentary on how our ancestors impacted the planet and how we're continuing this impact and Mood Ring which feels like a dig at the people she's describing in the song, especially with hypocritical lines like "Plants and celebrity news, all the vitamins I consume
Let's fly somewherе eastern, they'll havе what I need (They'll have what I need)"
Lorde clearly has another agenda bubbling up, but perhaps doesn't feel comfortable enough to really make it to the forefront of the album.
It's easy to understand why many listeners, fans, and critics alike, haven't taken to Solar Power as they did with other releases. It doesn't have the relatable quirk of Pure Heroine or the in-your-face production of Melodrama. However, it seems like Solar Power is an album that grows. Once you bring it out of the context of previous albums, and really get a sense of its own individual style and the new messages that Lorde is projecting, I think many people will find it jumping up their Album of The Year rankings.
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