Lorde, the Grammy-winning artist known for her unapologetic style, is making waves with her latest album, "Virgin." At 28, she's back on the music scene after her 2021 release, "Solar Power," and this time, her art is igniting a social media storm. The album, an 11-track masterpiece co-produced and co-written by Lorde (real name: Ella Yelich-O'Connor), features a vinyl edition with some eye-catching elements.
On her website, the vinyl edition promises an eight-page photo booklet, flagged with an "Adult images" advisory. One of the photos has caught plenty of attention: a nude shot of Lorde, with the image focusing on someone sporting see-through pants. Lorde's representative confirmed the artist's appearance in this controversial shot, while media outlets like Entertainment Weekly and USA TODAY have reached out for further comments.
The daring artwork has divided fans, sparking a mix of shock and indifference online. "Me when I saw Lorde's vinyl cover on my timeline," quipped user @leasweetener on platform X, likening the experience to a character's shocked reaction. Others, like @sayfoncaffeine, shared GIFs to express their surprise, while some fans humorously pondered if they should have stayed curious about the cover.
“There's going to be a lot of people who don't think I'm a good girl anymore, a good woman. It's over.”
Contrarily, some fans rushed to Lorde's defense, suggesting that critics are overreacting. "The Lorde vinyl was not that bad. Y'all love to overreact," wrote @serialexpplain, echoing a sentiment shared by several others who downplayed the seriousness of the image.
In a candid conversation with Rolling Stone, Lorde described "Virgin" as "vulnerable" and "messy," predicting mixed reactions from the public. She acknowledged, "There’s going to be a lot of people who don’t think I’m a good girl anymore, a good woman. It’s over." However, she also hinted at the possibility of finally meeting the expectations of some fans.
This isn't the first flirtation with provocative visuals for Lorde. Her previous album "Solar Power" also stirred conversation with its bold cover, capturing Lorde in a carefree leap on the beach. "It felt innocent and playful and a little bit feral and sexy," she reflected in a 2021 interview, embracing the spirit of youthful exuberance.
With her "Virgin" album, Lorde once again proves she's unafraid to challenge norms and spark conversation through her art. Whether met with applause or criticism, her work remains a testament to her unyielding artistic spirit.