Lorde became one of the biggest stars in the world thanks to the release of her debut album, Pure Heroine back in 2013, which spanned several successful hits including “Team,” “Tennis Court,” “Glory and Gore,” and, of course, “Royals.”
The latter track went on to sell over 10 million units worldwide, a fun fact about Lorde not many know, which propelled Lore to not only become a household name but one of the most promising newcomers in the music industry. Despite her massive success, it seemed as if her rise to fame came as fast as it disappeared just four years later.
The follow-up project, Melodrama, was nowhere near as impactful on the charts and many fans wonder whether the lack of commercial success had affected Lorde’s interest in continuing to put out music.
Updated on May 26, 2021, by Michael Chaar: Lorde proved herself a major contender in the industry when her album, Pure Heroine, went on to sell millions! Since then, the singer hasn't had nearly as much success as her first time around. Despite Melodrama appeasing fans, it didn't do well on the charts. As if that wasn't enough, her many feuds with former friends, Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift also didn't help her career, much like her absence from social media. Well, 4 years after her last album, it seems as if Lorde is back! The singer hinted at new music last December when she revealed that she and producer, Jack Antonoff were in the studio together. Whatever is in store, fans can't wait.
What Happened To Lorde?
Her last album, Melodrama, was released in June 2017, and while critics had high expectations, the project as a whole wasn’t received well.
Along with the singles “Green Light,” “Perfect Places,” and “Homemade Dynamite,” the album produced no hit single and consequently affected people’s interest in wanting to hear the record in full.
Thus, Melodrama wound up selling 400,000 copies worldwide, which is 3 million less than what she sold with Pure Heroine in September 2013, which has shifted over 3.4 million in sales to date.
In September 2017, Lorde commenced her Melodrama World Tour, but just months into the solo trek, she decided to delete all of her photos on Instagram, leaving many wondering if everything was okay with the two-time award-winning Grammy songstress.
She later assured fans that everything was fine, adding that “less is always more,” and that taking a step back from social media was simply because she wanted a simpler and easier public persona without the move of having to share everything with fans online.
But her absence on all platforms appeared to hurt her image as many of her followers were quick to forget about Lorde when she continued to tease people with new music.
She’s since come back and posted snaps here and there, but it goes without saying that Lorde appears to have no interest in keeping up with a social media following nor does she care to show people what she gets up to in her day-to-day life, and that should be respected.
One also shouldn’t forget about Lorde’s feud with Selena Gomez in 2013 when she called her a bad role model for the message she was sending to fans with her single “Come & Get It” during an interview.
"I'm a feminist and the theme of her song is, 'When you're ready come and get it from me.' I'm sick of women being portrayed this way," Lorde said.
Still, Lorde stuck by her comments and insisted that she was looking to remain in the music business for the long haul, and that should come with some sort of integrity without having to conform to the idea of having to sing inappropriate songs to impressionable young girls.
Well, it appears as if that time might be coming sooner than later! Last December, Lorde teased new music when she revealed that she was working alongside Jack Antonoff. The duo were in the studio together and flying back and forth from Auckland, New Zealand to Los Angeles.
"We’re still working away — Jack and I FaceTimed for over an hour this morning going over everything," she added. "But it’ll take a while longer," Lorde said.
So, while it's been a hot minute since we've heard from Lorde, it seems as if a comeback is in the works, and we along with her millions of fans, certainly cannot wait!