Lorde's new album 'Virgin' is messy, emotional, and perfectly suited for the moment

Lorde's fourth album, "Virgin," was released on June 27, 2025.

Thistle Brown

• Lorde released her fourth studio album, "Virgin," on Friday.
• The lyrics are frank and transparent, tackling knotty topics like sex, drugs, and eating disorders.
• The album's themes reflect a cultural shift away from polish and toward authenticity.

For most of us, the first words we heard come out of Lorde's mouth took the shape of a disavowal: "I've never seen a diamond in the flesh."

Lorde...