Lorde Follows Up Comeback Single “Solar Power” with “Stoned at the Nail Salon” and Hints at New Album
After disappearing from the spotlight for a few years, the now 24-year-old New Zealand singer Lorde has shaken fans not once, but twice, with new music this year. Starting off with her first single after a long social media hiatus, “Solar Power” released on June 10th, 2021 and immediately sent fans into a frenzy for new content. Despite only peaking at No. 64 on Billboard’s Hot 100, it peaked at the sixth spot on Billboard’s Hot Rock and Alternative chart. It also received critical acclaim and compliments from the press. Following its release, the accompanying music video dropped a day later, and showcased an aesthetically pleasing beach setting reminiscent of the movie Midsommar.
However, with this newest track “Stoned at the Nail Salon” that was released on July 21st, Lorde gets more philosophical as she contemplates mortality, her transition from teenager to adulthood, and her life away from social media and the celebrity spotlight. The song is deceptively simple, with the young pop star’s vocals accompanied by a simple guitar track and supported by vocals from fellow female artists Phoebe Bridgers and Clairo. However the lyrics are incredibly profound, channeling themes that relate back to her previous works and her emotions as a young adult. She sings, “Got a wishbone drying on the windowsill in my kitchen just in case I wake up and realize I've chosen wrong” to express her occasional doubt that she is following the right path of her life. Other lyrics state, “Cause all the music you loved at 16 you'll grow out of”, showing how she reminisces on her previous two albums: Pure Heroine and Melodrama, and how she has outgrown that era of her life and artistry.
Lorde stated, “I think lots of people start asking those questions of themselves around my age, and it was super comforting to me writing them down, hoping they’d resonate with others too.” She also expressed her feeling “left behind” because she has not been active on social media in many years. While she gave up the public image in favor of her own mental health and stress, this comeback proved to have its own challenges, such as the feeling of insecurity that “no one has seen [her] in ages”. However, she has now come to enjoy this aspect of her hiatus, and the lyrics of “Stoned at the Nail Salon” goes to show that she has made peace with her choice.
“Solar Power” and “Stoned at the Nail Salon” are just two tracks off of Lorde’s highly anticipated third studio album that is coming out on August 20th. Sharing the same name as the title single, Solar Power the album will not be available in CD format this time around, and instead will be physically available in the form of a biodegradable music box, an idea of the singer’s own invention.
We are excited to hear more from Lorde and see where her newfound artist identity takes her. If you have yet to listen to “Solar Power” or “Stoned at the Nail Salon” we highly recommend you do!
