She’s 16, but Not Thinking of Sweet

Ella Yelich-O’connor, a sixteen year old singer who goes by the name Lorde, is a New Zealand songwriter who is pushing the boundaries and changing the way that people listen to pop. music. Lorde sings about what it means to not come from money. Her songs are about class consciousness and conspicuous consumption. She performed at Webster Hall on September 30th in New York City. She wore a dress and was on stage with a drummer, keyboardist and her songs pre-recorded with her vocals. It wasn’t an elaborate show with just spotlights on them. Her simplicity sums up her song. She moved to the beat but stayed more in place swaying to the music.

Her album was release this week but her success didn’t come easy. She started writing songs at age 12. She released Royals in 2013. Lucid, defined pop, ballads with hip hop undertones, and dance beats are all used to describe her unique style. Lorde writes about teenage issues in White Teeth Teens and a series of different issues in 400 Lux, Glory and Gore, and Buzzcut Session ranging from companionship, cliques, fighting, drinking, and dreams of refugees. She is very direct and serious. You may even say monochromatic. Her sound is mostly due to the backup chorus of her own voice and harmonies which creates a pop illusion. Lorde has room to grow as she creates a spot for herself in the pop world.

Lisa M.