Kristina Roberts
Lorde’s new album, Virgin, is set to release on June 27, 2025, and fans are excited to hear her latest work. In a recent interview with BBC Radio 1, the singer shared how her collaboration with Charli XCX influenced the making of this album. Lorde, whose real name is Ella Yelich-O’Connor, explained that working with Charli on the remix of “Girl, so confusing” played a big role in shaping Virgin.
How Charli XCX’s “Brat” Album Inspired Lorde
Lorde admitted that Charli’s album Brat, which came out earlier, gave her a creative push. She told the host, Jack Saunders, “Brat coming out really gave me a kick in a lot of ways. It forced me to further define what I was doing because Charli had so masterfully defined everything about Brat, and I knew that what I was doing was very distinct to that.”
She added that when another artist does something great, it motivates others to work harder. “When a peer throws the gauntlet down like that, you’re like, ‘OK, yeah, we’ve gotta pick it up.’ I’ve spoken to a lot of peers who’ve all had the same feelings. It’s very sick, and I’m so grateful to her.”
Writing with “Rugged Vulnerability”
Lorde also talked about how her writing style changed while working on Virgin. She said she was writing in a very open and honest way, and collaborating with Charli helped her stay on that path. “Brat came out, and she was doing that from the other side of the coin almost, and doing the remix together and meeting her in that place of rugged vulnerability and cracking open the thing,” she explained.
She noticed that fans loved this raw and real approach. “People responded really well to that – I was like, ‘OK, cool, this is a good thing to be doing.’”
The Story Behind “Girl, so confusing”
The song “Girl, so confusing”, released in June 2024, was originally about Charli’s mixed feelings toward Lorde. In an interview with Rolling Stone UK, Charli had admitted, “I was super jealous of the success that ‘Royals’ got, and that Ella got.”
But instead of letting past tensions affect them, the two artists decided to work together. Their remix collaboration helped them understand each other better and even influenced Lorde’s new music.
Lorde’s Comeback After Four Years
Virgin will be Lorde’s first album in four years, and fans are eager to hear her new sound. She had previously announced the album with artwork that looked like a pelvic X-ray, calling it both exciting and nerve-wracking. “I’m proud and scared,” she had said when revealing the project.
Why This Collaboration Matters
This isn’t the first time Lorde and Charli have crossed paths. They were seen together back in 2014, showing that their friendship in the music industry has lasted for years. Now, their teamwork has led to something fresh and exciting for both artists.
Lorde’s honesty about how Charli influenced her proves that even big artists inspire each other. Instead of competing, they chose to learn and grow from one another’s work.
What Fans Can Expect from “Virgin”
With Virgin, Lorde promises a mix of raw emotions, bold lyrics, and experimental sounds. The album is expected to reflect her personal growth over the past few years.
Since her last release, Lorde has taken time to explore new ideas, and Charli’s fearless approach in Brat seems to have encouraged her to take even bigger creative risks.
Lorde’s gratitude toward Charli XCX shows how powerful collaboration can be in music. Instead of seeing each other as rivals, they supported one another’s artistry. As fans wait for Virgin to drop, one thing is clear—this album will carry the influence of a strong creative friendship.
“I’m so grateful to her,” Lorde said, and those words might just define the spirit of her new era.
