Lorde: 'Working with Charli XCX kicked me into opening up'

Lorde, the talented singer-songwriter from New Zealand, is preparing to unveil her highly anticipated fourth album titled 'Virgin' this summer. She describes this new project as a means of expressing a multitude of thoughts and emotions that she has been holding onto for quite some time. The first single from the album, 'What Was That', has already made a significant impact by debuting in the UK top 10 charts. In a conversation with BBC Radio 1's Jack Saunders, Lorde shared that the journey to complete this album has been challenging, and at times, she doubted whether it would ever see the light of day. 'I never thought it would come out,' she admitted. Lorde, whose full name is Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor, explained that she approached the songwriting process with a sense of trepidation, thinking to herself, 'I could never say that. ' She had been postponing the confrontation of her feelings, believing it was something her future self would have to tackle. However, everything changed when she received a message from fellow artist Charli XCX, inviting her to collaborate on a remix of Charli's song 'girl, so confusing' from her acclaimed album 'Brat'. This collaboration proved to be a turning point for Lorde, as it encouraged her to embrace her vulnerabilities and share her personal struggles, including her experiences with an eating disorder. She expressed her deep appreciation for Charli, stating, 'I'm so grateful' for the opportunity to work together. Lorde reflected on how the release of 'Brat' inspired her, saying, 'Brat coming out really gave me a kick. ' Meeting Charli in a space of raw vulnerability and witnessing the positive response from audiences made her realize the importance of being open and honest in her music. 'I really suffer from this thing of not feeling my own power,' she confessed, but the remix ignited a spark within her, reminding her that her words hold weight and that people genuinely care about her message. The success of 'Brat' not only earned multiple awards but also became a cultural phenomenon, even being recognized in the Collins Dictionary. Lorde had the chance to perform the remix during Charli's Coachella set last month, and Charli playfully suggested that 'Lorde summer 2025' could follow the success of 'Brat summer' in 2024. With 'Virgin', Lorde is returning to her musical roots after the release of 'Solar Power' in 2021, which she described as a departure from her usual style. She noted that the experience of working with Charli helped her refine her artistic vision and clarify what she wanted to convey in her new music. 'It forced me to further define what I was doing because Charli had so masterfully defined everything about Brat,' she explained. This collaboration inspired her to dig deeper into her creativity and share her authentic self with her audience. Lorde's lead single, 'What Was That', was officially released last week after being teased on TikTok, and it quickly climbed the UK charts. She shared that this song offers a glimpse into the sound of her upcoming album, as she aimed to reconnect with her younger self during the creative process. 'I really went into it like, just make something for you, just make something you think is cool,' she said. Lorde wanted to create music that felt genuine and true to her, reminiscent of her teenage years when she made music solely for herself. She described 'What Was That' as a track that embodies her artistic identity and is 'recognizably me. ' Reflecting on her career, she remarked, 'It's funny to be 12 years into your career and for people to have an understanding of your tropes and what you do. ' With this new album, Lorde aims to re-establish her connection with listeners, returning to the core of her sound after the different direction taken with 'Solar Power'. She expressed her desire to connect with her audience in the purest way possible, stripping away any unnecessary elements to reveal her true self.