Pure Heroine by Lorde Review

Not to be dramatic, but this album changed the course of my life. Not in a crazy way. I just have been consistently listening to it since I was 12, so it’s really shaped me as a human. It’s one of my most favorite things. Let’s get into it.

Tennis Court: This is so good. I’m not sure what the tennis court is supposed to represent. Maybe she’s talking about a real tennis court. It’s possible. I love the themes of new found fame all throughout this album, including in this song. She’s saying she won’t let herself change, but she is still excited for what is to come.

400 Lux: I absolutely love this song. I can’t believe she sang it live. I was so happy. It’s super cute, the lyrics are very specific at times, like the whole orange juice thing lol. I love how simple the music is in the background. Makes me feel like wandering my neighborhood streets.

Royals: This is a classic. It’s not my favorite song off the album. I just don’t think it’s as good as the other songs. It’s still a great song, and it really did change pop music. Billie Eilish would be nothing without this song.

Ribs: This is the perfect song if you’re feeling like your youth is slipping away. You want to make the most of it, but at the same time you’re an introverted person who can’t see themselves breaking away from the assumptions others have made of you since you were a kid. I love the repetition of lyrics in this song, she sings them more powerfully each time. The acapella sound she has is magnificent. This song is iconic.

Buzzcut Season: This is one of my most favorite songs of all time. Shout out to fifth grade me who discovered this song when I was supposed to be doing school work. There’s something very dystopian about this song, but there’s also a hint of romance. I think I love the mystery behind this song. I don’t know how it makes me feel, it changes every time I listen to it. There’s no true meaning to me. It’s just beautiful.

Team: This is the superior single, in my humble opinion. I get that Royals changed the game, but this song is so good. The chorus is so catchy and her voice sounds so good. I wish it was a longer song.

Glory and Gore: I feel like this is the sequel to Buzzcut Season. Buzzcut Season describes a dystopian world where no one feels the need to fight against the oppression they’re enduring. This song is the revolution. Lorde is ready to fight.

Still Sane: The ultimate song about coming into fame. I like the picture this paints. I imagine she’s alone, feeling alone, yet there are tons of people surrounding her now. She has every reason to be afraid, but she isn’t. She’s confident in herself (and she has every right to be).

White Teeth Teens: I love this song so much. This song has super acapella vibes without actually being acapella. And the lyrics at times reference tumblr, which is funny to me. I love how empty this song feels.

A World Alone: This is the cutest song. It’s beautiful. The lyrics are so genius. And when she acknowledges that they won’t be together forever… Imagine being that mature. I could never.

No Better: This song is so underrated. It’s such a good summertime song. Makes me want to drive around in my car and explore places with my buddies. I don’t know what she’s even talking about in this song.

Bravado: I like how this song builds. I feel surrounded. She’s so powerful in this song. The chorus is so good. I don’t think it’s one of her best songs lyrically, but when you add the sound and the power behind her voice, it turns into something really great.

Million Dollar Bills: I feel like such a rebel when I listen to this song. It sounds so different from the other stuff on the album. It sounds more like mid to late 2000s alternative hits. Not that that is a bad thing. This song goes hard.

The Love Club: This song is great. It’s pretty much the same as White Teeth Teens, but it did come first. I really appreciate the lyrics in this song. Especially the second verse. It really speaks to me.

Biting Down: This is probably my least favorite off the record. It’s pretty boring and I won’t lie, I don’t really get it. It gets better towards the end of the song. She plays around with her voice, and the bridge is pretty good. I just usually skip it because I’m never really in a mood that would call for this song. I don’t hate it, though.

Swingin Party: This song is a cover. I learned that when the original song was in the movie Paper Towns. I really like her take on it, though. It sounds really spooky. And around halfway through (maybe) it sounds like someone is hitting a wood block. It’s pretty amazing. The production is so simple, yet it is perfect.

Final Ranking:

Buzzcut Season

Ribs

400 Lux

No Better

Team

A World Alone

The Love Club

White Teeth Teens

Glory and Gore

Bravado

Tennis Court

Still Sane

Swingin Party

Royals

Million Dollar Bills

Biting Down

This album is so fantastic. Lorde was only 16/17 when she did all this. I could never. I love how this album sounds. It’s very calm. I like to sit and think about it. It definitely makes me feel nostalgic. This album is important to listen to while you’re still young because that’s definitely who it resonates the most with. I gave it a 9.44/10. bye