Pure soul: Lorde’s “Pure Heroine” shines with unique sound

Debut studio album highlights young star’s range

Peter Johnson

Six months ago, Lorde was obscure, no one had heard of her. Now Lorde is among the biggest stars in pop, debuting at number three on the US Billboard Top 200 and selling 129,000 copies in the U.S, reflecting how she embodies the here and now.

Ella Yelich-O’Connor, under her stage name Lorde, first saw widespread success with the debut of her single “Royals” earlier this year, which also appears on the album.

The success of her debut album largely comes from her distinct voice, differing from any other voice in music. She rasps out lyrics that make her sound older than her 16 years of age, and fills them with a raw emotion that brings the songs to life. “Ribs” leads as the finest song on the album, defining Lorde’s success in capturing the spirit of the present youth.

“It feels so scary, getting old”, shows this success. “Ribs” also showcases a blend of hip-hop and pop that occurs on the album, resulting in an appealing finished product.

This album was hyped by the music world before its release, and the decision on Lorde was up in the air: would she fade away after her big single, or would she show her talent as a mainstay in pop music? She showed up, living up to the hype with a solid, well-polished first studio album that showcases her enticing, unique voice, that feels almost tangible as you listen to “Team” and “White Teeth Teens”, two more songs that display her range on the album.

Topping the Billboard Hot 100 list and achieving unprecedented acclaim, especially for a 16 year old’s debut studio album, Lorde’s “Pure Heroine” hits the right chord with her fascinating voice.