Pure Heroine was a very minimalist debut from Lorde, but for her sophomore effort, the New Zealand singer takes a bold stylistic turn. Enlisting producers like Frank Dukes and Flume, Lorde turns in a fuller, fleshed out electropop effort centered around the theme of solitude; she began working on the album after breaking up w/ her longtime bf. She continues to, however, write intimate lyrics, and even w/ the beefed up musical style, her bare, raw emotions that so much defined her breakout success cut through sharply. Check out the upbeat/somber bounce of “Green Light,” or the percussive “Homemade Dynamite.” “Liability” is a toned down gem reminiscent of her earlier works, and “Perfect Places” is a stripped down party cut that’s contrasted by a dark, weary undertone.

• printed inner sleeve
• full color insert
• music label: Universal 2017

reviewed by rei kwondo 04/2018