Lorde released her new album Virgin early Friday morning before heading to Glastonbury Festival. The singer performed a surprise set at the Woodsies Stage for a packed crowd at Worthy Farm. She also sat down with Apple Music host Zane Lowe to discuss the album creation process. Her conversation revealed details about the recording sessions and key contributors to the project.
Producer Buddy Ross played a major role in shaping the album sound. Jim-E Stack brought Ross into the project after producing most of Virgin's 12 tracks with Lorde. The collaboration began when Stack connected with Ross during spring 2024. Ross worked on four songs total and helped define the musical direction for the entire record.
The song Hammer demonstrates Ross's impact on the album. Lorde and Stack wrote the track during late 2023 but decided against using it. Ross reworked the song several months later and Stack showed Lorde the new version over FaceTime. She immediately knew the track belonged on the album after hearing Ross's contributions.
Ross brings extensive experience from previous projects with major artists. He worked heavily on Frank Ocean's Blonde album and has collaborated with Haim, Miley Cyrus, Bon Iver and Vampire Weekend. Lorde praised his earthy sounds and pure machine-made quality that influenced Virgin's overall aesthetic.
The album features a simple sound palette with repeated elements throughout. Other notable contributors include Dan Nigro, Dev Hynes and Justin Vernon from Bon Iver. Lorde described the chosen sounds as different voices that sing and express emotions like humans do.
Producer Buddy Ross played a major role in shaping the album sound. Jim-E Stack brought Ross into the project after producing most of Virgin's 12 tracks with Lorde. The collaboration began when Stack connected with Ross during spring 2024. Ross worked on four songs total and helped define the musical direction for the entire record.
The song Hammer demonstrates Ross's impact on the album. Lorde and Stack wrote the track during late 2023 but decided against using it. Ross reworked the song several months later and Stack showed Lorde the new version over FaceTime. She immediately knew the track belonged on the album after hearing Ross's contributions.
Ross brings extensive experience from previous projects with major artists. He worked heavily on Frank Ocean's Blonde album and has collaborated with Haim, Miley Cyrus, Bon Iver and Vampire Weekend. Lorde praised his earthy sounds and pure machine-made quality that influenced Virgin's overall aesthetic.
The album features a simple sound palette with repeated elements throughout. Other notable contributors include Dan Nigro, Dev Hynes and Justin Vernon from Bon Iver. Lorde described the chosen sounds as different voices that sing and express emotions like humans do.
