Lorde, the acclaimed New Zealand singer-songwriter, has returned with her fourth studio album titled Virgin, released on June 27, 2025. This album marks a significant evolution in her artistry, being her first major release since 2021’s Solar Power. Virgin was co-produced by Lorde herself alongside Jim-E Stack and features contributions from prominent collaborators like Daniel Nigro and Devonté Hynes. The album embraces a more raw and tactile sound palette that leans on piano, organic percussion, and unfiltered textures, moving away from the folk and baroque influences of her previous works. Lorde describes this album as “100% written in blood,” emphasizing deep transparency and unflinching honesty in its themes .

The thematic core of Virgin delves into identity, femininity, body politics, and personal transformation. It is notably more intimate and raw compared to her earlier albums, treating topics often considered taboo with candidness. The album cover features an X-ray image of Lorde’s IUD, highlighting themes of sexual autonomy and bodily agency. Songs like "What Was That" and "Man of the Year" explore self-examination, memory, and gender fluidity, with lyrics that confront societal gender roles and the ambiguity of sexual identity. Lorde openly addresses her experiences with body dysmorphia, healing from heartbreak, and the complexities of womanhood, making the album a profoundly personal statement .

Musically, Virgin is a blend of experimental synths, sharp percussion, and layered harmonies that reflect Lorde’s emotional landscape as she navigates adulthood and self-discovery. Tracks such as "Hammer" serve as an ode to urban life and physical desire, while "Broken Glass" deals with the pain of body image struggles without romanticizing them. The album refuses easy catharsis, opting instead for a complex interplay of sound and lyrical vulnerability. It challenges pop conventions by combining brutally honest, sometimes explicit lyrical content with restless and sometimes jarring production, ensuring that the music evokes both the body and the mind .

In support of Virgin, Lorde has embarked on the Ultrasound World Tour, starting in September 2025 and continuing into early 2026. The tour features a diverse lineup of opening acts including Blood Orange and The Japanese House, reflecting the album’s experimental and boundary-pushing ethos. Additionally, Lorde’s highly anticipated presence at Lollapalooza 2026 is confirmed, promising a powerful live experience for fans worldwide. With Virgin, Lorde not only returns with a bold new sound but also delivers a fearless exploration of identity and artistry that solidifies her place as one of modern pop’s most distinctive voices .