Prep your teenage angst playlists: Lorde has officially released new music. It's been nearly four years since the elusive singer released her last album, Solar Power, and months since we learned it's successor, Virgin, was on the way. But now, the album — in full — is officially ours.
The lead up has been something of an album rollout masterclass (which is hardly surprising once you learn Lorde has Terry O'Connor, the mastermind behind Brat, in her camp). It all started when, out of nowhere, Lorde took to TikTok to post a 15-second clip of herself walking, set to the tune of a brand new song. And adding fuel to the rumour mill flame, she just performed Girl, So Confusing with Charli XCX at Coachella, where Charli belted out "Lorde Summer 2025".
A few days later, the singer took to WhatsApp to deliver a voice memo to fans that cryptically confirmed that "everything is about to change". The next day? It did. Lorde took to Instagram to confirm that the single, 'What Was That' was en route, simply writing that it's "out soon."
Now, the fourth album is officially here, and already our new musical hyperfixation. Below, everything you need to know about Virgin.
What is the tracklist for Virgin?
There are 11 songs on Lorde's fourth album, including the lead singles, 'Man Of The Year' and 'What Was That.' The full tracklist is:
- Hammer
- What Was That
- Shapeshifter
- Man Of The Year
- Favourite Daughter
- Current Affairs
- Clearblue
- GRWM
- Broken Glass
- If She Could See Me Now
- David
What is Virgin about?
While listening to the album in full is the best way to glean it's meaning, over on her website, Lorde has gone into a little more detail about the work, saying "An album by me. Produced by me and Jim-E Stack, with Fabiana Palladino, Andrew Aged, Buddy Ross, Dan Nigrio, and Devonté Hynes. Mixed by Spike Stent and Tom Elmhirst. Mastered by Chris Gehringer. 100% written in blood."
Virgin marks her fourth studio album ever, and follows the four-year release pattern the singer has stuck to in the past. She released her debut album, Pure Heroine, in 2013, followed by her sophomore album, Melodrama, in 2017 and her third album, Solar Power, in 2021.
What does the Virgin album art signify?
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The cover of Virgin features a bold and unusual X-ray of a pelvis, that looks to have been taken over clothes, clearly showing both a zipper and an IUD—visual elements that speak to themes of womanhood and openness. Lorde has said the album is “100% written in blood,” pointing to its deeply personal and emotionally vulnerable nature. She explained that the project is meant to reflect the many layers of her femininity—ranging from the wild and instinctive to the soft, graceful, spiritual, and even traditionally masculine.
When was Virgin released?
The album was released on June 27, 2025.
Why is Lorde voice memo-ing her fans?
Proving that no marketing tactic is too out there, Lorde gathered her fans in a WhatsApp text thread, which she then used to send a candid voice memo explaining how she was feeling and what was coming next.
@lordeandthepopgirlsfull voicemail from Lorde!!♬ original sound - lorde
She started with a candid greeting – "Oh my god HI. I'm SO glad I have your number now. I was really just like… like we have to be able to talk like this." – before getting into the juicy stuff.
She then went into her recent performance with Charli XCX at Coachella (where Charli all but confirmed a "Lorde Summer 2025"): "Okay I went to Coachella this weekend – very fun... I was walking out over to the stage at dusk thinking about all the Coachellas that I've been at, y'know, across like 12 years and just thinking about how it's this thing that can really make you like… lose yourself...".
And she ended the note in her typical, cryptic fashion: "Um anyway.. I just wanted to say hi because everything is about to change and these are really the last moments where it's just us… which is crazy! But so right, I'm so ready. I didn't know if I'd ever be able to say that but I am. I'm so thankful for your patience. I felt your love. I felt you right there and yeah… this is gonna be crazy! You have no idea… okay, I love you so much. I'll talk to you soon."
