CD review: Still Loving “The Love Club”

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When you turn on the radio, what do you hear? Oftentimes, it’ll be a pop song with a sugary beat, or a rap song scattered with slang. Other times, you’ll hear dance songs riding tidal waves of electronic sounds and acoustic melodies with sentimental tones. Very rarely will you hear songs with an eerie rhythm and lyrics that make you pause and think. And even more improbable will that kind of music be the masterpiece of a young woman born in 1996, someone who has been vocally active since she was a16-year-old—someone not unlike us.

Lorde, born Yelich-O’Connor and raised in New Zealand, took the radio airwaves by storm in 2013. First known for her song “Royals,” which was a hit for several months in New Zealand and several weeks in the USA, Lorde introduced to the world audible art that strays from the stereotypical focus on budding and breaking love, self-empowerment, and the glorified glamour of fame and fortune. Despite challenging the structure of a “cookie-cutter” hit song, Lorde’s music remains incredibly insightful and relatable.

In terms of producing music, Lorde’s youth was certainly a blessing. Entering the limelight during the pinnacle of her teenage years gave her the opportunity to create music that conveyed real sentiments that many teenagers experience, extending from teenage rebellion to the mundane daily routine. She sang of realities that, as suggested in her song “Royals,” aren’t quite as glamorous as many popular songs and other media portray. She sang for the normal kids who spend free time watching TV, playing video games, and growing up, even if we dream of becoming queens and kings, “Royals.”

Lorde’s EP album The Love Club was released on in March 2013, and received generous praise. Although the album features a mere five songs – “Bravado,” “The Love Club,” “Mama Do,” “Royals,” “Million Dollar Bills,” and “Biting Down” – the album establishes Lorde as a musical iconoclast who certainly has something intriguing to offer to the world. Each of her songs feature a distinct rhythm and layers upon layers of vocal, percussion, and electronic beats. The result is a chilling ensemble that inspires deep thought and leaves a lasting impression and desire to listen to more. Her first full-length album Pure Heroine was released in fall of 2013. Her second album, Melodrama, was released in June 2017. She also had two other EPs – Tennis Court and a concert EP in 2013 – and she contributed to the soundtrack for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt. 1 in 2014.