Everything to Know About Lorde’s New Album <i>Virgin</i>
It’s been nearly four years since Lorde’s last full-length album, Solar Power. But the New Zealand artist has officially announced her return: Her fourth studio album, Virgin, arrives on June 27. The announcement follows her surprise performance in New York City and the release of her lead single “What Was That”—a pulsing track that’s already topped charts and sparked a new era for the singer. Here’s everything to know so far about Virgin.
The album drops Friday, June 27, kicking off what fans have dubbed “Lorde summer.”
What’s on the album cover?The Virgin cover is striking. Lorde shared the image on April 30, revealing a blue-tinted X-ray of a pelvis, detailed with a belt buckle and zipper. Just beneath it seems to be the outline of an IUD. The cover doesn’t show her face, but the art speaks for itself.
What does Virgin sound like?While full details are still under wraps, Lorde has described the album as “100% written in blood” and said the color of the project is “clear—like bathwater, windows, ice, spit.” She also described the music as “plain and unsentimental.” She added in a note to fans, “I was trying to make a document that reflected my femininity: raw, innocent, elegant, openhearted, spiritual, masc.”
How many tracks are on it?Virgin will reportedly feature 11 tracks, according to listings in Spotify and Apple Music. The lead single, “What Was That,” was released on April 24, and has already reached No. 1 on Spotify in the U.S., Lorde’s first time topping the platform since “Royals.”
What’s the story behind “What Was That”?The first taste of Virgin arrived unconventionally. Lorde debuted “What Was That” at a fan gathering in Washington Square Park on April 22, where she played the track after an initial attempt to hold a larger event was shut down by police. Hours later, Lorde returned to dance with fans and film footage for the official music video.
In a voice note released around the same time, Lorde reflected on what the song meant to her, saying, “I really think this song is the music of my rebirth.”
Who worked on the album?Lorde co-produced Virgin with Jim-E Stack, whose past credits include Bon Iver and Caroline Polachek. Additional collaborators include Dev Hynes (a.k.a. Blood Orange), Dan Nigro (Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan), Fabiana Palladino, Andrew Aged, and Buddy Ross. Mixing was handled by Spike Stent and Tom Elmhirst, with mastering by Chris Gehringer.
Is there merch?Yes—and it’s cryptic. Alongside the album announcement, Lorde’s merch site was updated with T-shirts, hats, and a long-sleeve design listing what could be song titles: “Mystic,” “Antipodean,” “Spiritual Technologist,” “Medicine Woman,” and “Man of the Year.” Whether these are lyrics, track names, or thematic clues remains to be seen.
What else has Lorde said about this era?“I’ve never felt more intentional with every single piece of what I’m doing,” Lorde said in a recent voice memo. She emphasized the cohesion behind this project, noting how all parts—sound, visuals, messaging—intertwine. In her words: “There’s such a deep ethos behind all of it, and it all braids together in the end.”
What albums has Lorde released before Virgin?Lorde’s discography includes Pure Heroine (2013), Melodrama (2017), and Solar Power (2021). While Solar Power leaned into a mellow, sun-drenched aesthetic, Virgin signals a creative reset. “There’s nowhere to hide,” she wrote. “I’m proud and scared of this album. I believe that putting the deepest parts of ourselves to music is what sets us free.”
This story will be updated.
elle
