Melodrama (studio album) by Lorde

From cestuneblague 06/04/2021 14:04

A brilliant EP released in a slightly turgid full-length package, I can see why a lot gravitate towards "Green Light" but after that interesting, hazy start it's second half already dooms it into mid-10's artifact status, and "Perfect Places" feels like a bit of an artistic step-back, it would feel welcome on Pure Heroine or released as a stand-alone closer to that era (in reality it's just an amped-up and slighlty improved reworking of the overrated "Team") but feels a bit naive for this record... and perhaps too blantant attempt at a generation-defying anthem that it goes a bit into overkill. Tracks 9-10 just feel like monochromatic Antonoff cast-aways and not distinctly Lorde in any way. But damn if tracks 2-8 aren't one of the best runs this entire decade, regardless of genre, I love the sweaty paranoia of "Sober", the intentionall over-the-top deconstruction of "Homemade Dynamite", the cheeky love-lost anti-ballad "The Louvre", the practically epic simplicity of "Liability", the self-deprecation-turned-fire-n-brimstone-true-believer darkroom snarl of "Writer in the Dark", and "Hard Feelings/Loveless" is one of the best singles of the decade, a slanted metamorphisis of a pop mashup that's practically worth of "Mellow Gold". So many highpoints, but I almost never come back to this album in it's entirity, it just never quite comes together perfectly, the difference between a great album and an album with a lot of great parts (or perhaps a perfectly cut slice of meat (or veggies) in between some slightly stale slices of bread). Even if it's not artistically perfect, though, I can definitely see how this made the level of impact it quite conspiciously did in the end.

From planetneutral 02/20/2021 19:31

Beyond the opener, none of these songs excite me like the best songs from the first album.

I don't like the pop genre all that much. But Lorde, among others, are proof that the women in the genre should be given more creative freedom and should get out from under the large contracts from the label giants, because this album is very good.

It's not perfect, but it runs deep with some very catchy hooks. Very introverted lyrics about extroverted situations. Keep it coming, Lorde.

82/100

It's good, but it's not the best pop album I've ever heard. People are acting like she's Björk when she's more like Taylor Swift. The lyrics are super stereotypical pop, the production is pretty alright.

THis is good for something in 2017 it starts going up really fast at some point later when I first came here no one used this site but I needed to record my listening

Nice pop album, with clever ideas. "Green Light", "Liability" and "Hard Feelings" are outstanding and timeless. One of the best pop artists alive.

From Boltzmann 01/12/2020 09:05

Don't see why this one should be that much better.

I think Lorde found the ingredients for an interesting pop album with substance. She broadens her vocal range and delivery to prove that she's not a purely low-register singer. The album doesn't rely on the overusage of repeated bombastic beats or drum machines. It switches it up nicely with a good peppering of dream-pop vibes in the album as well.
I listened to this after listening to Lana del Rey's "Norman Fucking Rockwell" and I'm drawing the conclusion that Jack Antonoff is THE producer who can take a talented singer and elevate their music to the next level with intimate and fitting production. The structure of the album is very good too, transitioning between smaller, more personal songs and dancier anthems. The reprises are in appropriate places on the album so as not to beat the listener over the head with the same themes.
There are still some repetitive moments on the album and I think the lyricism can be so-so at moments, but I think Lorde is growing very well as a songwriter and singer so I'm looking forward to what she does next!

90/100

Favorite Tracks:
Green Light, The Louvre, Supercut, and Perfect Places

I'm really waiting for her next album

From pctrooper 11/15/2019 00:56

Never been a fan of Lorde. Sounds really corny to me, and I can't really relate to her songs/style. I don't know, I think this album sounds too pseudodramatic or something. I gotta give her credit though; she has a distinct style and I understand why some people might like her work.