Lorde has unveiled the title and release date of her highly anticipated fourth studio album, Virgin, scheduled for release on June 27, 2025. The announcement marks her first full-length project since 2021’s Solar Power.
In a newsletter to fans, Lorde described Virgin as “100% written in blood,” emphasizing its raw and emotionally transparent nature. She further elaborated on the album’s themes, stating, “The color of the album is clear. Like bathwater, windows, ice, spit. Full transparency. The language is plain and unsentimental. The sounds are the same wherever possible. I was trying to see myself, all the way through. I was trying to make … openhearted, spiritual, masc.”
Album Details and Collaborations
The record was written with Grammy producer of the Year Dan Nigro (Chappell Roan/ Olivia Rodrigo), Blood Orange’s Devonté Hynes, Fabiana Palladino, Andrew Aged and Buddy Ross. On Apple Music, the album appears to have 11 tracks, including her latest single, “What Was That.”
Virgin pic.twitter.com/3RjzqPazTz
— Lorde (@lorde) April 30, 2025
Album Artwork and Symbolism
The album’s cover art features a blue-tinted X-ray of a pelvis adorned with a zipper, belt buckle, and the outline of an intrauterine device (IUD). This provocative imagery aligns with the album’s themes of transparency and introspection. Lorde described the cover as reflecting the era’s “clear” color, symbolizing the album’s commitment to openness and vulnerability.
Lead Single: ‘What Was That’
Released on April 24, 2025, “What Was That” serves as the lead single from Virgin. The track marks a return to the synth-pop style reminiscent of Lorde’s Melodrama era. The accompanying music video, filmed in New York City, features Lorde wandering through the city before culminating in a spontaneous dance performance at Washington Square Park. The impromptu event attracted a large crowd, leading to the song’s early release following its viral reception.
Anticipation and Future Plans
The announcement of Virgin follows a period of creative exploration for Lorde. Since the release of Solar Power, she has remained active with various projects, including re-recorded songs in Māori, launching her Sonos Radio station Solarsystym, and collaborating with artists such as Charli XCX and Marlon Williams. Virgin represents a deeply personal creative return for the artist, emphasizing vulnerability and self-expression.
As fans eagerly await the album’s release, Lorde’s commitment to transparency and emotional honesty continues to resonate, positioning Virgin as a significant chapter in her musical journey.
