LOS ANGELES — “Don’t you think it’s boring how people talk?” One of my favorite opening lyrics from Lorde’s “Tennis Court,” released in 2013 from the album Pure Heroine. And I still remember the first time I heard it.
I was standing in line at Forever 21 in Los Angeles with an armful of clothes, when Lorde’s voice poured through the store speakers. It stopped me instantly.
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The lyrics — so bold, so poetic. It was alternative, different. I pulled out my iPhone and opened Shazam, the music identification app, to see who was singing: Lorde.
The name is bold — enough said. I connected instantly — the lyrics to “Tennis Court” drew me in. Her music found me. It was a gravitational pull.
Over a decade later, I’m still a fan, listening to her latest album Virgin — released in June 2025 — it’s clear: Lorde has grown up, and so have I.
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A Rebirth – Same Frequency, New Perspective
The Virgin album feels like a rebirth. Lorde has stepped in and out of the spotlight over the years, but this album marks a true comeback — and I’m here for it.
Two of my favorite songs from the album are “What Was That” and “David.”
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“What Was That”
In “What Was That,” Lorde captures pure freedom and confidence. The music video shows her singing, running, and riding a bike through the streets of New York — wearing a white blouse and khaki pants — before she ends up at a real concert. It’s raw, spontaneous, and unapologetically Lorde. Watch Video
“David”
Meanwhile, “David” is more reflective — a meditation on heartbreak, forgiveness, and self-realization. She sings about a selfish man who once broke her heart, but instead of staying stuck in the pain, she transforms it into understanding. The song reminds us to see people as they are, not as the fantasy we created. Watch Video – (Visualizer)
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The introspection in Lorde’s songwriting resonates deeply — her lyrics always feel like they’re speaking directly to me.
The New Zealand star also experiences sound-to-color synesthesia, a unique condition where sound blends with sight, allowing her to perceive music in hues and shades. Her sound — a blend of electropop, indie pop, and dream pop — is exciting and healing to listen to.
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Timeless Favorites
Going back ten years, I still listen to her early tracks: “Supercut,” “Bravado,” “Royals,” “Yellow Flicker Beat,” “400 Lux,” “White Teeth Teens,” and “Team.” Each song feels like a time capsule.
Her music found me that day in Forever 21, and it’s been with me ever since. I grew up listening to hip-hop, R&B, and classical genres, so discovering artists like Lorde (and later Billie Eilish) made me realize how eclectic my taste really is.
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Lorde’s creativity is just that — creative. The singer is unapologetically herself, and that’s what I love most — because it’s a reflection of me: Sanestina.
Frequency
Listening to her distinctive music style lifts my spirits instantly — like going on a ride with a friend who always knows how to make sure you have a great time.
Her lyrical style is healing, melodic, and emotionally complex. That’s what makes her so distinctive — she can turn melancholy into something bold and beautiful.
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The Power of Evolution
The melancholy and boldness of Lorde’s music have always mirrored her evolution — and in many ways, my own. Her sound still carries that electrifying, cathartic energy that first drew me in.
The New Zealand singer-songwriter is currently touring across the U.S. and Europe, performing her latest work — and reminding fans everywhere that growth, like art, is never linear.
Thanks for reading!
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