Lorde Summer is Upon Us
Photo by Kathryn Parsons Photography via Flickr.
At Coachella 2025, Charli XCX hinted at the end of “brat summer,” flashing a bold stage display that suggested “a different kind of summer.” Among the many names paired with “summer,” one stood out: Lorde Summer. Ladies and gentlemen, Lorde has risen.
In her return to the spotlight, Lorde recently released a new single, “What Was That,” and announced her fourth studio album, “Virgin", set to drop on June 27. It’s her first major release since 2021’s “Solar Power,” and it’s already redefining the emotional tone of summer 2025.
Lorde’s ascent began with her 2013 debut album “Pure Heroine," an emotionally resonant collection that became the unofficial soundtrack to teenage angst. Songs like “Ribs” captured the fear of growing up with devastating clarity, turning everyday feelings into cinematic moments.
Her 2017 follow-up “Melodrama” explored adulthood through a lens of heartbreak and self-image. With dynamic production and deeper emotional complexity, it cemented Lorde as one of pop’s most insightful voices. Tracks like “Liability” became anthems for listeners navigating loneliness and emotional self-awareness.
2021’s “Solar Power” was more diverse and marked a stylistic shift. Embracing acoustic sounds and sunny tranquility, it was less catchy than her earlier work yet still introspective. Many fans, reeling from post-pandemic uncertainty, expected an emotional release. Instead, Lorde gave them a gentle and light escape. The 12 tracks felt like a getaway: touching grass and reconnecting with the world. Though the album then received mixed reviews, many fans now are advocating for the collection of songs, calling it heavily slept on.
After its release, Lorde disappeared from the public eye. She retreated from social media and took a break from creating music, leaving fans in a long, uncertain wait.
The silence broke in 2024 when she unexpectedly appeared on the remix of Charli XCX’s “Girl, so confusing.” The collaboration, viewed as a major moment in pop culture, addressed their rumored “beef” in a raw, confessional duet. It marked not only a reconciliation but also a motivating push for Lorde to re-enter the music world.
From surprise appearances during Charli XCX’s tour to cryptic social media breadcrumbs, Lorde’s return gained momentum. Then came the viral moment: suddenly, she asked fans to meet her in Washington Square Park, New York City, at 7 p.m. on a Tuesday. The crowd, largely twenty-somethings who grew up with “Pure Heroine”, arrived in mass numbers. The event, quickly shut down by authorities, turned into an impromptu sing-along of Lorde’s classics. At 9 p.m., she emerged and debuted “What Was That” live.
The track felt like “Melodrama” through its synths, authentic lyrics and emotional precision. It resonated deeply with her now-adult fanbase: people navigating post-grad limbo, anxiety and identity.
For many in Generation Z, Lorde’s music has acted as a mirror. From the quiet dread of adolescence in “Pure Heroine”, to the heartbreak and self-reflection of “Melodrama,” to the uneasy calm of “Solar Power," her albums have captured the evolving emotional landscape of a generation coming of age.
Lorde has described “Virgin” as a record of “complete transparency,” confronting themes of gender identity, body image and rebirth. She appears to offer a new perspective on adulthood, one shaped by honesty, transformation and the ongoing challenge of staying soft in a hard world.
Where “brat summer” was maximalist, neon and rebellious, Lorde Summer is quieter and more honest. It’s a time for reckoning, healing and feeling everything deeply. In a world that's full of overstimulation and speed, Lorde is offering something rare: a summer that dares you to sit with your feelings, and maybe, begin again.