At the age of 20, Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor aka Lorde can boast a grammy nominated album endorsed by David Bowie that hit the top ten in the UK charts, not bad right?
Oh and let's not forget the fierce 'Yellow Flicker Beat' from The Hunger Games soundtrack. The jerky, introspective pop sounds of Pure Heroine swept the UK as hit single 'Royals' well and truly took Lorde to the top.
Now four years later and we finally have a return from the New Zealand sensation in the form of her new single 'Green Light' and an album on the way titled 'Melodrama'.
On her Twitter, she promised fans "it's complex and funny and sad and joyous and it'll make you DANCE".
From the off there's a complete change of sound and an entirely different vocal approach to her debut. The tentative and slightly raspy vocals of 'Pure Heroine' are gone, a more mature and confident Lorde now stands bold. The gloomy sounds are also a thing of the past, instead we're treated to a bombastic nineties pop sound.
It's a breakup anthem for the defiant, those that refuse to let anyone bring them down for a moment too long.
From one of the opening lyrics "She thinks you love the beach, you're such a damn liar" it's clear someone has pissed Lorde well and truly off and she's not afraid to let them know.
Jack Antonoff from Bleachers has to take his bow too as his production of the track is outstanding, with each listen subtlety becomes apparent from the buzzing synths to the wailing guitars.
In the stagnant charts, Lorde joins the likes of The 1975 etc all offering an alternative pop sound and a breath of fresh air.
It's a mature, forward-thinking and completely authentic return, there'll of course be those that say Lorde has sold out but she's evolved, developed and progressed.
At the tender age of 20 the mere mention of headlining festivals may feel too soon but if the rest of 'Melodrama' is even half as good as the lead single we'd be a fool to let another four-piece, white male rock band take this pop Queen's throne.
Take a listen to 'Green Light' below
Words Jack Winstanley
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