Lorde, Solar Power | Album Review 💿

Solar Power, the third studio album by Lorde, doesn’t match or eclipse her masterpiece Melodrama, but has its fair share of elite moments.

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fter a four-year hiatus, 🏆 Grammy-winning alternative pop artist 🎙 Lorde (Ella Yelich O’Connor) is back! 💿 Solar Power marks the third studio album by the New Zealand singer/songwriter.  Throughout Solar Power, O’Connor collaborates with ‘it’ producer 🎛 Jack Antonoff.  The result is an album that greatly contrasts her critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated masterpiece, 💿 Melodrama.  Does Solar Power match the musical excellence of Melodrama? No – that would be an incredible tall task.  That said, it’s a pleasant, overall successful addition to her discography.  Solar Power has its fair share of elite moments. 

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“The Path” 

Solar Power gets off to a marvelous start with ✅ 🎵 “The Path.” It begins enigmatically, musically, and lyrically, before revealing its cards.  The lyrics are complex, poetic, and reflective – quite impressive.  At the same time, early on Solar Power, it’s clear that the album won’t necessarily deliver surefire ‘pop’ hits.  Once the drums enter, “The Path” picks up steam, making it one of the best moments.  So, what do those lyrics amount to thematically? Lorde states, despite her platform as a celebrity, don’t view her as a savior or this perfect role model – look elsewhere! “Let’s hope the sun will show us the path, path.” It’s intriguing to say the least.

Fittingly, ✅ 🎵 “Solar Power” follows in all its glory.  “I hate the winter, can’t stand the cold / … But when the heat comes, something takes a hold.” The comeback single/title track is a certified vibe.  While Lorde sings in relatively low-key fashion, she exudes ample personality. The songwriting, evidenced by the lyrical excerpt, is terrific. She touts the power of summer, and everything associated with it, including ‘the heat’ in a more passionate sense (“My cheeks in high colour, overripe peaches / No shirt, no shoes, only my features”).  Of course, the centerpiece is the glorious chorus, readymade for a carefree, fun, and sexy summer:

“Turn it on in a new kind of bright
It’s solar (Solar, solar, solar, solar)
Come on and let the bliss begin
Blink three times when you feel it kickin’ in.”

🎵 “California,” another spare, light number, reveals that Lorde “Don’t want that California love.” Why?  Per her commentary, she loves and appreciates the state, but feels like it’s not the right place for her currently.  The song does a fine job of reflecting her ‘tap out’: “Goodbye to all the bottles, all the models / Bye to the kids in the lines for the new Supreme.” Ultimately, it’s another nice moment early on Solar Power.

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“Stone at the Nail Salon”

“I love this life that I have / … But I wonder sometimes what I’m missing.” ✅ 🎵 “Stoned at the Nail Salon”. sounds as chilled out and mellow as its title suggests. This is a prime example of a song that floats along. O’Connor gives us subtle but beautiful vocals.  Her tone is warm and chill; appealing.  On the pre-chorus, I love the layered vocals, which keeps “Stoned at the Nail Salon” intriguing (“Well, my blood’s been burning for so many summers now / It’s time to cool it down, wherever that leads”). On the chorus, she sings with more oomph, yet never forces things. As far as the production, it remains low-key, minimal, and spare. This simplicity bodes in her favor, allowing her voice to shine.  Thematically, she reflects on getting older, poetically tackling the topic. 

Harmonized vocals are a draw on 🎵 “Fallen Fruit,” which hearkens back to the folk of the 60s and 70s.  Even with simple, acoustic folk cues, Jack Antonoff sprinkles in some subtle electronics that would not have characterized that style of music back in the day.  Essentially, one leaves “Fallen Fruit” experiencing a vibe.  It doesn’t scream ‘hit’ yet it’s enjoyable – pleasant and satisfying.  Follow-up 🎵 “Secrets from a Girl (Who’s Seen it All)” packs a bit more punch, a wise move.  No, the backdrop doesn’t suddenly expand to something grandiose, but there’s more drive.  Lorde’s rhythmic, raspy vocals command over the chill instrumental. Notably, she sings about a party (again), turning 15, and losing her beloved dog, Pearl.  🎙 Robyn appears on the outro of the song as a flight attendant delivering spoken word about sadness and eventual resolution.

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“The Man with the Axe”

You could argue that Lorde has an instrument that’s an acquired taste.  She sounds particularly raspy on ✅ 🎵 “The Man with the Axe,” residing in her lower register.  No, she’s no ‘powerhouse,’ but I honestly like the aesthetic she gives here.  Adding to the timbre, the harmonized vocals return, although sparingly.  As far as the backdrop (O’Connor, Antonoff, and 🎛 Malay), it floats, never growing too high.  By the end, there’s some contrast and a bit more oomph, smart considering this fine track also feels the slightest bit too chill and casual.  Lyrically, there are some alluring moments, those that fit O’Connor’s artistic lane.  

“Fifty gleaming chances in a row / Then I watch you flick them down like dominoes / Must feel good being Mr. Start-Again.” Compelling words.  🎵 “Dominoes” keeps things short, just crossing the two-minute mark.  Like most of Solar Power, it’s light and pleasant, overall. Mid-tempo, there’s a respectable amount of punch.  Still, the rub is “Dominoes” feels too light and Solar Power could use more at this point.  It’s moderately successful, without ascending ‘next level.’ ✅ 🎵 “Big Star” marks a sweet moment from Solar Power.  Here, Lorde remembers her late dog, Pearl, who meant so much to her. “Baby, you’re a big star / You’re a big star,” she sings on the chorus, “Wanna take your picture.”  It’s not a dynamic record, but understanding the purpose behind it, it’s just as it should be.

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“Leader of a New Regime”

On 🎵 “Leader of a New Regime,” those chilling, glorious vocal harmonies return.  Again, they color spare production work on this one-and-a-half-minute interlude.  Penultimate record 🎵 ✅ “Mood Ring” follows, marking one of the better songs from Solar Power.  Once more, colorful vocal arrangements shine, as does lighthearted production.  The lead vocals are on the thin side – a bit more bite wouldn’t have hurt – but as always, are sufficient.  One big selling point on “Mood Ring” is the chorus, one of the more tuneful:

“I can’t feel a thing
I keep looking at my mood ring
Tell me how I’m feeling
Floating away, floating away.”

🎵 “Oceanic Feeling” concludes, running north of six-and-a-half minutes.  This is a record that is in no rush, naturally evolving and never forcing things.  That’s generally the takeaway from Solar Power, though the rest of the track list features a shorter duration.  Lorde states this is a personal song, written about her native country (New Zealand), her family, past, and future.  As far as the sequence of the track list, “Oceanic Feeling” feels right as the closer, though I’d argue it’s not the most exciting song.  I understand its purpose, but it won’t be the first song I re-listen to on Solar Power. 

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Final Thoughts 💭 

So, how does Solar Power stack up? All in all, it’s another well-rounded, always pleasant Lorde album.  Solar Power pales in comparison to Melodrama, but that’s to be expected – that’s O’Connor’s masterpiece.  Here, there’s plenty of artful, folk-driven songs that are successful.  What is lacking on Solar Power are surefire, tuneful hits, even if the album has no shortage of aesthetically pleasing vibes.  My biggest rub is that Solar Power comes off too spare and minimal at times. I would’ve liked to have heard more of the punch that made Melodrama one of the best albums of the 2010s.  Still, this is another successful album.  Listeners have plenty of highlights to sink their teeth into even if they’re low-key. 

✅ Gems 💎: “The Path,” “Solar Power,” “Stoned at the Nail Salon,” “The Man with the Axe,” “Big Star” & “Mood Ring”   

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🎙 Lorde • 💿 Solar Power • 🏷 Universal Music New Zealand Limited • 🗓 8.20.21

[📷: Universal Music New Zealand Limited]

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