The 16-year-old New Zealand native, Lorde (formally Ella Maria Lani Yelich-O'Connor, a mouthful I know) has taken the alternative music genre by storm. Best known for her single “Royals”, Lorde’s album Pure Heroine is a mix of dark alternative music with a head bobbing beat. The fresh faced 16 year old breaks all teen pop molds with her album filled to the brim with lyrically intensive songs.
Tennis Court
The song has a short instrumental intro and jumps right into the lyrics. Lorde’s signature vocals begin slowly, almost conversationally. The song picks up at the chorus with a faster beat. The lyrics of “Tennis Court” manage to revolve around the teenage world while avoiding the annoying, cliches that often coincide. “Tennis Court” is a perfect way to start the album because it introduces not only Lorde’s vocal style but also the subtext of her music. 4/5
400 Lux
This song starts with a slow siren, and then the beat picks up with the lyrics. “400 Lux” is basically about the downtime teenagers often have. The first verse “We're never done with killing time/Can I kill it with you?/'Til my veins run red and blue/We come around here all the time/Got a lot to not do/Let me kill it with you.” This is one of my favorites on the album simply because Lorde’s lyrics are intriguing and thought provoking but manage to capture the simplicity of a teenager’s lifestyle. 5/5
Royals
Perfectly placed at track 3, “Royals” is Lorde’s hottest track. The anthem-esque song has been taking over radio stations and for good reason. Despite the lack of pop-infused influence, “Royals” is fun and catchy. Compared to the rest of the album, I would say this song is the most party appropriate. 5/5
Ribs
“Ribs” is by far my favorite track on the album, it begins with an almost celestial tone. This song is a bit faster than the first two but maintains the obvious alternative style of the album. The song is able to capture the dark and light contrast of growing up. The lyrics express the fear of getting closer to reality, but also has a certain naivete. The clever title isn’t really understood until the end of the song, “You're the only friend I need/Sharing beds like little kids /We'll laugh until our ribs get tired /But that will never be enough”. The title itself even gives the song a dark twist, “Ribs” implies a bare vulnerability but when the term is heard in the lyrics it becomes endearing. 5/5
Buzzcut Season
This song is extremely soft, almost too soft. It’s almost sleep inducing. Lyrically, it’s well written but the lyrics aren’t really enough to make this track a must-listen. In comparison to the rest of the album it fades in the background. I personally either skip over it or fail to notice it’s playing. 2.5/5
Team
This track starts off strong, and powerful. An upbeat track, “Team” is fun and empowering. My favorite line, “I’m kind of over being told to put my hands up in the air, so there” rebels against overplayed pop/dance music and gives the song personality. I could easily see Team becoming the next radio hit. 5/5
Glory and Gore
Lorde is a badass, and in this song she makes that pretty clear. The song hints at society’s obsession with scandal and crime. “Glory and gore go hand and hand/ That’s why we’re making headlines.” The song is lyrically interesting but it isn’t my personal favorite. I think the lyrics of the song are the most impressive aspect. 3.5/5
Still Sane
This track has a lighter tone to it, and focuses on Lorde’s rise to fame. The song explores her drive to succeed. It seems like it’s almost a stream of conscious at some parts, and like the entire rest of the album is infused with intensive lyrics. The music is airy which brings the attention on Lorde’s vocals. 4/5
White Teeth Teens
The song starts clean with strictly vocals, like many of the other tracks the whimsical background singers balance well with Lorde’s deep voice. The song much like "Royals" thematically, exposes the realities and morals of the wealthy. 3.5/5
A World Alone
The last track of the album sums up Lorde’s style and message. What I love about this song and a few of the others is the lack of focus on the chorus. "A World Alone" has a catchy chorus but the most impressive parts of the song exist within the bridges. 5/5
Overall, Lorde’s album kills it if you are interested in alternative music. Every track is littered with brilliant lyrics that create short stories and anecdotes out of each song. Lorde has proved herself as a talented writer and artist with Pure Heroine, and she stands out amongst a sea of cloned teen pop stars as mature and slightly mysterious. I am a huge Lorde fan, and though some have said she is too dark for her age I appreciate her style. Lorde is sixteen and her music has more substance then most developed artists. I give Pure Heroine a 5 out of 5.