Lorde just dropped a bombshell, and fans are still picking their jaws up off the floor.
A 28-year-old singer, who has won a Grammy award, surprised the internet with the reveal of the controversial artwork and title for her upcoming fourth album, “Virgin.”
And let’s just say… Lorde understood the assignment.
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Lorde’s ‘Virgin’ Cover Features Pelvic X-Ray
The cover, which caused a stir, was shared on her Instagram, TikTok, and website. It features what appears to be an X-ray of a pelvic area, showing hip bones, a belt buckle, a zipper, and a surprising detail – a T-shaped object resembling an IUD (intrauterine device), a type of long-term birth control.
It’s unclear if the X-ray is of Lorde herself, but regardless, fans went wild.
Alongside the bold artwork, the “Royals” singer announced that the album was “100% written in blood” and revealed it would drop on June 27.
She teased the album by saying, “An album by me,” and shared that it was produced by herself and Jim-E Stack. She also added to the mystique by releasing merchandise with the X-ray image.
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‘CONTRACEPTIVE QUEEN’: Lorde Fans Lose It Over IUD Detail In New Album Cover
The response online? Pure chaos.
“Lorde putting an IUD on the album cover is very political. Can’t wait,” someone noted, interpreting it as a statement on reproductive rights.
“The IUD on Lorde’s new cover??? CONTRACEPTIVE QUEEN,” another fan cheered.
“I WASN’T PREPARED FOR THIS ON A WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, LORDE,” one stunned fan said.
“SICKEST ALBUM ARTWORK I AM FLOORED,” one of her fans exclaimed.
“NOT THE IUD BEING ON THE COVER FOR AN ALBUM CALLED ‘VIRGIN’ OH MY LORDE YOUR BRAIN NEEDS STUDIED. THIS ALBUM COVER EATSSSS SO HARD,” wrote another, summing up the collective hysteria.
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Lorde’s IUD Album Art Hits Harder Knowing Her History Of Reproductive Rights Advocacy
Lorde has been vocal about reproductive rights, especially after Roe v. Wade. In true Lorde fashion, during one of her shows, she gently encouraged the audience to take a moment to pause and breathe.
“Like so many of you, I’ve been sickened and heartbroken this week by the news that there are some people who think that our bodies are not our own,” the singer said at the time, according to Billboard. “And I still don’t have the words to talk about this with you. It’s so big and so heavy. I think it’s OK to freeze for a little bit, you know, and then you re-engage.”
She clarified, “But what I’m trying to say is I have some big, heavy sh-t that I am working through that I am feeling.”
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Lorde’s Album Cover Is Bold, Political, And Confusing For Some Fans
Others weren’t sure what to make of the cover art.
“Girl, what are we looking at?” another asked, confused and intrigued.
“Excuse me, ma’am?” someone else commented.
“I’m confused,” a third stated.
“Took me a moment, and then I realized Lorde posted this?” another TikToker said.
Meanwhile, one of Lorde’s fans chimed in, setting the record straight. “Why does everyone keep asking what this means? Typically, a new song = an upcoming new album. This is the cover art of new album, and the name of new album,” they wrote. “Said album will be released on 6/27.
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Lorde Calls ‘Virgin’ Her ‘Rawest’ Work Yet
The X-ray cover, which mixes raw medical imagery with feminine symbolism, comes with an email Lorde sent to fans, where she admitted she’s “proud and scared” of the project.
“The color of the album is clear. Like bathwater, windows, ice, spit. Full transparency,” she wrote. “The language is plain and unsentimental… I was trying to make a document that reflected my femininity: raw, primal, innocent, elegant, openhearted, spiritual, masc.”
“There’s nowhere to hide. I believe putting the deepest parts of ourselves to music is what sets us free.”
The bold announcement follows the April 25 release of her new single, “What Was That,” her first new music since 2021’s “Solar Power.” The track’s music video, partially filmed during a real-life bike ride to Washington Square Park, marked her official return after nearly four years out of the spotlight.
With “Virgin” dropping June 27 and the internet already ablaze, one thing’s for sure. Lorde isn’t just back, she’s coming in unapologetically raw, unfiltered, and possibly IUD-powered.
