Lorde Releases "Solar Power," a Beachy, Chill Song of the Summer
Lorde has officially ended sadness and hard feelings once and for all with the surprise release of her new single, “Solar Power.”
The song dropped at 6 p.m. ET on June 10 following a series of leaks; she had previously teased the single with a viral cover image of her cheeks blocking out the sun. Following the success of her immaculate Melodrama back in 2017, expectations for her new music were high, but on “Solar Power,” Lorde came through.
With a relaxed, beachy vibe, “Solar Power” embraces a ‘60s/early '70s acoustic feel, as Lorde’s voice floats over soft drums and lyrics like “My cheeks in high colour, overripe peaches” and “I’m kinda like a prettier Jesus." Clairo and Phoebe Bridgers are both credited as background vocalists, accompanying Jack Antonoff’s production. The song as a whole feels like the loveliest beach day, in which Lorde invites us to toss our cellular devices in the water and let the bliss in. “Forget all the tears you cried,” Lorde urges. “It's over.” It sounds like the ending credits of a rom-com, in which everything turns out okay after all.
She released an accompanying music video for the song, in which she frolics around with friends on an island wearing bright yellow. Coordinated dance choreo, beachside chess, and dinners abound, and, as fans have already noticed, there are definitely some Midsommar vibes at play.
Meanwhile, Lorde confirmed in a letter to fans that a new album of the same name is on the way. "There’s someone I want you to meet," she wrote. “Her feet are bare at all times. She’s sexy, playful, feral, and free. She’s a modern girl in a deadstock bikini, in touch with her past and her future, vibrating at the highest level when summer comes around. Her skin is glowing, her lovers are many. I’m completely obsessed with her, and soon you will be too. It’s my divine pleasure to be introducing you, at long last, to my third studio album, SOLAR POWER."
“The album is a celebration of the natural world, an attempt at immortalising the deep, transcendent feelings I have when I’m outdoors. In times of heartache, grief, deep love, or confusion, I look to the natural world for answers. I’ve learnt to breathe out, and tune in. This is what came through.”
And while she has said patience is a virtue, it won't be too much longer before the album comes out. “You can look to the natural calendar for clues," Lorde wrote. "I’m trying to listen to what’s out there more, and the vibe I got was that you’re ready for this, that you need it. I want this album to be your summer companion, the one you pump on the drive to the beach. The one that lingers on your skin like a tan as the months get cooler again.”
Listen to Lorde's “Solar Power” below, and let all your worries float away:
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