Figuring out Lorde’s Christian Roots Part 15
UPDATED (David Bruce commented “She didn’t say she was a big Jesus believer. She said she was a big Yeezus believer. Which is a Kanye West album. Which incidentally is a blasphemous, hateful piece of garbage from what I’ve heard of it.” This sets me straight concerning what Lorde said in the video that I saw. She did not say that she was a “big Jesus believer.” )
It is hard to figure out this New Zealand newcomer and her Christian roots but I am going to attempt to in this series of posts. Here is an interview where she describes herself as a “big Jesus believer.”
One way to get a better idea about a person is to take a closer look at their lyrics. Here is a discussion about one of Lorde’s songs that I really like.
10 Reasons Why Lorde’s Pure Heroine Is a Lyrical Masterpiece
Posted: 09/30/2013 11:53 am
Lorde is unique in today’s pop scene for not being a teen idol. Claims can be made that her label manufactured her image, but considering she’s the primary writer of all her songs along with her sole producer, Joel Little, she definitely retains more agency than stars like Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande.
Under normal circumstances, Lorde’s debut LP Pure Heroine would fade to obscurity as an alt record. Except “Royals” happened.
(image: Lorde/soundcloud)
Her realist, jaded approach to life, as opposed to the happy, glamorized parties in other pop videos, is now put to the test. Does she live up to the hype? This album might not be that danceable, but when you dig deeper, Pure Heroine is a lyrical treasure trove.
“Tennis Court” — As she starts the album pondering her newfound fame, Lorde calls for a moment to show people “how little we care”, a different kind of typical teen rebellion. The head raiser, however, is her melodramatic “I fall apart, with all my heart / And you can watch from your window”. It’s perfect commentary on teen star breakdowns.
“400 Lux” — A tale about nothing, and about a boy driving her home after a tiring party. She tells enough to establish a dreary suburban Auckland where the kids dream hard and sneak drinks. (The sentence “We’re hollow like the bottles that we drink” shines.) This backdrop lasts for the entire album, and I welcome it. Few albums even have a setting.
“Royals” — Everyone and their yappy dog already discussed everything except the lines “Let me be your ruler / You can call me Queen Bee”. it doesn’t come off as hypocritical and Lorde even admits to loving Nicki Minaj and Lana Del Rey. She doesn’t condemn pop music; she just wants an alternative. She concedes that she and her friends love the fantasy, and it’s okay to be “driving Cadillacs in our dreams”. It’s just that the fantasy needs to make it clear that it’s exactly that…and in that way, she’s brilliant.
“Ribs” — Her singing about her fear of getting old is sorta underwhelming, but the bridge is the album’s highlight. Its fragmented lines and “I want it back” is one of the best moments in 2013 indie.
“Buzzcut Season” — Lorde revels in the beat’s melancholy piano, recalling a possibly real incident of hair burning, and reporting how the men on the news say “that we will lose”. She again mourns her fame. Plus, “I’ll live in a hologram with you” manages to haunt.
“Team” — Revisiting the Queen Bee persona once again, Lorde takes her cake and eats it too. This session of make-believe is strangely compelling. While she says “I’m kinda over getting told to throw my hands up in the air”, it’s still a lighter moment.
“Glory and Gore” — Does this remind you of The Hunger Games? Her gladiator metaphors compare the Coliseum’s battles to our culture’s lust for celebrity drama. Artists might not actually kill each other, but Lorde still thinks upon whether she enjoys this kind of “bloodshed”.
(image: Lorde/soundcloud)
“Still Sane” — She reflects on fame once again, and then makes a decision to risk her sanity with “I’m little but I’m coming for the crown”. Really, she’s self-aware of possibly coming off as a jerk, wondering, “Only bad people live to see their likeness in stone / What does that make me?”
“White Teeth Teens” — It’s “The Love Club” Part 2. She also plugs her Tumblr. Check it out.
“A World Alone” — A fantastic album closer. Its stark guitar hits home about how dark life can be. I mean, we’re all shallow talkers and haters at least once, right? Throw in her and her friend’s bad habits, it’s like a nice John Green novel. At the end, she answers the first line presented in “Tennis Court” with “let ’em talk”.
What are your thoughts on her album? Sound off in the comments.
Written by @RockGenius Editor, Chihuahua Zero (@chihuahuazero).
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It is hard to figure out this New Zealand newcomer and her Christian roots but I am going to attempt to in this series of posts.
Related posts:
MUSIC MONDAY:Keith Green Story (Part 9)
Keith Green – Easter Song (live) Uploaded by monum on May 25, 2008 Keith Green performing “Easter Song” live from The Daisy Club — LA (1982) ____________________________ Keith Green was a great song writer and performer. Here is his story below: The Lord had taken Keith from concerts of 20 or less — to stadiums […]
Posted in Current Events Edit Comments (0)
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