Lorde releases first song in 4 years, “Solar Power,” ft. Phoebe Bridgers & Clairo (listen)

After revealing the artwork, Lorde has finally released her first new music since her great 2017 sophomore album Melodrama. The song was made with frequent collaborator Jack Antonoff, and it also features backing vocals by Phoebe Bridgers and Clairo and drums by the very prolific session drummer (and former Pearl Jam member) Matt Chamberlain. It starts out a little earthier and folkier than Lorde usually sounds, but still with her unmistakable voice in the driver's seat, and eventually it brings in some Primal Scream-y (or George Michael-y) drums. Check out the video (directed by Lorde and Joel Kefali) below.

Lorde also confirmed in a newsletter that Solar Power is the name of her upcoming third album. "The album is a celebration of the natural world, an attempt at immortalising the deep, transcendent feelings I have when I’m outdoors," she said. "In times of heartache, grief, deep love, or confusion, I look to the natural world for answers. I’ve learnt to breathe out, and tune in. This is what came through." Read the full newsletter below.

Lorde's first-announced post-pandemic show is Primavera Sound 2022.

Newsletter

You ready?

There’s someone I want you to meet.Her feet are bare at all times. She’s sexy, playful, feral, and free. She’s a modern girl in a deadstock bikini, in touch with her past and her future, vibrating at the highest level when summer comes around. Her skin is glowing, her lovers are many. I’m completely obsessed with her, and soon you will be too.

It’s my divine pleasure to be introducing you, at long last, to my third studio album, SOLAR POWER.

The album is a celebration of the natural world, an attempt at immortalising the deep, transcendent feelings I have when I’m outdoors. In times of heartache, grief, deep love, or confusion, I look to the natural world for answers. I’ve learnt to breathe out, and tune in. This is what came through.

The first song, also called SOLAR POWER and written and produced by myself and Jack, is the first of the rays. It’s about that infectious, flirtatious summer energy that takes hold of us all, come June (or December, if you’re a Southern Hemisphere baby like me but I know that’s literally IMPOSSIBLE for you all to wrap your little heads around so don’t worry about it!!).
I made everything with friends here in New Zealand. My best mate Ophelia took the cover photo, lying on the sand as I leapt over her, both of us laughing. The director who made my first ever music video, Joel, helped me create the videos, building an entire cinematic universe that I can’t wait for you to see. I made something that encapsulates where I’m from — my family, my girlfriends, my outdoors, my constant ruminations, and my unending search for the divine.

There’s SO much more detail to come — a truly comical amount of detail, honestly. You can look to the natural calendar for clues. I’m trying to listen to what’s out there more, and the vibe I got was that you’re ready for this, that you need it. I want this album to be your summer companion, the one you pump on the drive to the beach. The one that lingers on your skin like a tan as the months get cooler again.

Today’s the only solar eclipse of the year, did you know that? Feels right.

"Solar Power" Credits
Producer, Associated Performer, Vocalist: Lorde
Producer, Associated Performer, Bass, Electric 6-string, Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Percussion, 12-string Acoustic Guitar: Jack Antonoff
Studio Personnel, Mixer: Mark 'Spike' Stent
Studio Personnel, Assistant Mixer: Matt Wolach
Studio Personnel, Mastering Engineer: Chris Gehringer
Studio Personnel, Mastering Engineer: Will Quinnell
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Phoebe Bridgers
Associated Performer, Background Vocalist: Claire Cottrill
Associated Performer, Drums, Programming, Percussion: Matt Chamberlain
Associated Performer, Saxophone: Evan Smith
Associated Performer, Trumpet: Cole Kamen-Green
Composer Lyricist: Ella Yelich O'Connor
Composer Lyricist: Jack Antonoff