
I canโt believe itโs actually been four years since Lorde first burst onto the scene with โRoyalsโ and her impressive debut,ย Pure Heroine. While she hasnโt put out much since that release sheโs still somehow managed to always stay relevant and in the conversation. Probably in large part due to the curiosity factor of a 16 year appearing out of nowhere and punching well above her weight. I know Iโve been extremely curious to see if she was more than just a flash in the pan. So I couldnโt wait to finally hear her sophomore effort,ย Melodrama; it could solidify her position as the next pop savant or bring her back down to Earth.
Lordeโs first offering came at a perfect time. Music in general had been moving towards a more alternative sound and her mix of alternative, melancholic, pop music was a perfect combination for the times. In the four years since, her sound hasnโt changed drastically, itโs still brooding teenage pop but thereโs a whole other level of sophistication sheโs been able to bring to her sound since that debut. I donโt know what producers she works with but they have incredible chemistry together and they really gave her some lush grounds to work with. There arenโt any songs as big and bombastic as โRoyalsโ but โSoberโ, โPerfect Placesโ, and โHard Feelingsโ are as good as any song Iโve heard all year. Not once did I feel an urge to hit that skip button and thatโs a sign of something truly special.
โThe truth is I am a toy that people enjoy
โTil all of the tricks donโt work anymore
And then they are bored of me
I know that itโs exciting running through the night
But every perfect summerโs eating me alive until youโre gone
Better on my ownโ
Anybody these days worth anything can get decent production, but whatโs always set Lorde apart from everybody else has been with her incredible songwriting. Onย Pure Heroine it was hard to believe that someone her age was already writing as strongly as she was, and onย Melodrama sheโs only gotten stronger. She still sings about heartbreak and solitude on a level of understanding beyond her years and it all comes through powerfully with her signature raspy voice. Itโs kind of hard to believe, but she far surpassed my expectations on this one. Sheโs the real deal.
Have you heardย Melodrama? Whatโd you think about it? Was the 4 year wait worth it? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to leave your own reaction and rating for the album.
