After nearly four years out of the spotlight, Lorde has officially reemerged with Virgin, her fourth studio album, set for release on June 27. The announcement came via the artist’s website and social media, where she unveiled the striking album artwork: a blue-tinted x-ray of a pelvis, complete with a zipper, a belt buckle, and the outline of an IUD. It’s a raw visual metaphor for what Lorde describes as a deeply personal body of work—one she claims is “100% written in blood.”
Virgin marks a significant evolution for the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter. The album was co-produced with Jim-E Stack, and features writing and musical contributions from a formidable team: Dan Nigro (Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan), Devonté Hynes (Blood Orange), Fabiana Palladino, Andrew Aged, and Buddy Ross. The record was mixed by Spike Stent and Tom Elmhirst, and Chris Gehringer handled mastering.
The project’s lead single, “What Was That,” was launched in unorthodox fashion. Lorde invited fans to Washington Square Park in New York for a surprise listening event on April 23. Despite authorities shutting down the unofficial gathering, she returned hours later to personally debut the track. The event—spontaneous, intimate, and chaotic—was captured on video and later used as the music video for the single.
In a voice note shared with fans, Lorde reflected on the emotional and creative stakes of this new chapter: “These are the last moments where it’s just us… I’m so ready.” She added, “Everything is about to change.” The tone is unmistakably one of transformation and vulnerability, signaling Virgin as her most exposed work yet.
Lorde also made a surprise appearance at Coachella, joining Charli XCX onstage for their collaborative remix of “Girl, So Confusing”—further hinting at a bold new artistic direction.