Solar Power
by Lorde

From CassidyInc 06/23/2024 10:33 | #304061

This album hits different after the Girl - So Confusing collab (Edited)

I heard this album before any of her others. (I had been living on the moon for several years.) So I came to it without expectations and I've always loved it. It is a great summer album, full of sunshine and energy, except when it is not (Stoned at the Nail Salon), and even that is a wonderful mood piece. (Edited)

From cestuneblague 11/12/2022 04:33 | #291233

In hindsight I was a bit too harsh on this album, but it still hasn't grown on me at all. I have no problem with Lorde making a more tranquil album basking in the open sun, perhaps a sign she's finally come of age from the personal growing pains of her previous releases. Unfortunately I also never get the sense there was a real drive to get the most out of these songs, as they often feel lazy rather than languid. Whenever it does seem to go for some... satirical? bite, the targets are at best soft (especially the Word of Lorde enviornmental themes or self-wellness cults, a real zinger of a takedown maybe back in '98) and at worst like she's clawing at a dead horse. Given there were still quite high expectations after what she delivered before that were tougher to meet considering she's likely in a much different place now, but I just never get the sense that even she felt much of this was essential to record and release to the public. These come across like rambling campfire songs that most forget by the next-day hangover. The last track is a nice bit of ambient pop that hints at a more surreal next stage to come, but nothing else here feels like Lorde even at her midrange best.

"Solar Power" is a meandering beach wallow. It reflects feelings in slothish manner to vaguely psychedelic indie guitars. At first its plain ,but as the album moves forward nothing advances. The sound becomes flatter with each following track. The vocals are often paired with unflattering effects and misplaced backing vocals. Lorde's voice feels disconnected and a little bit over sung. The lyrics are passable with the exception on the awkward Hip hop borrowings on "Solar Power" and "California" and the blockhead Robyn outro on "Secrets From A Girl (Who’s Seen It All)". The major positive of the album is its conceptual tightness. Every song feels connected to theme of reflection and warm weather. After this time in the sun, perhaps Lorde should return to the shade.

From katerpillar 12/02/2021 03:49 | #276962

Seems like she used a lot of drugs and got out of her way to make this album, I have no source for what I think but this album is fucking weird.