Virgin is Lorde’s fourth studio album, released on 27 June 2025 via Universal Music New Zealand and Republic Records, and conceived as a raw, unfiltered self‑portrait after the sun‑drenched looseness of Solar Power. Written during a period marked by a major breakup, a permanent move to New York, and her recovery from an eating disorder, the album aims to capture a version of femininity she felt was missing from contemporary art—messy, bodily, ambivalent, and politically aware rather than purely aesthetic. Co‑produced with Jim‑E Stack, it returns decisively to electronic pop: dense, sometimes industrial‑leaning production built from pulsing synths, breakbeats, distorted guitars, and brittle electronic keys, with Lorde’s voice foregrounded in sharper, more exposed ways than before.Across its 11 tracks—including singles “What Was That,” “Man of the Year,” and “Hammer,” plus songs like “Shapeshifter,” “GRWM,” and the title track—Lorde digs into themes of changing gender identity, sexuality, fame, and family history, often using dark humour and vivid, diaristic detail. Critics highlight how she threads together club‑ready bangers and more introspective cuts into a tight, 40‑minute arc that feels like reading a private notebook set to sharp synth‑pop, with several reviewers calling it her most honest and confrontational work to date. Commercially, Virgin debuted at or near the top of charts worldwide—hitting number one in New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and several European territories—and launched the Ultrasound World Tour (2025–2026), further cementing its status as a major new chapter in Lorde’s career.
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