Pure Heroine; An Album Review

Pure Heroine

   Ella Yelich-O’Connor, once your average teenager from New Zealand, has recently found global success. Whether people were talking about her eclectic dance moves, or requesting her songs on their local radio station, her stage name, Lorde,  started to travel across the world and was in high demand. Queen of Pop, Katy Perry, requested that Lorde be her supporting act on her ‘Prismatic World Tour.’ Lorde politely- but firmly- said no. This would be a chance for the 17 year-old to perform her debut album and songs off of her EP’s on such a grand scale. When asked why she passed up the offer, Lorde responded with just, “I think she’s really talented.”

  The singers debut album Pure Heroine appeared at number one upon releasing, and contains songs that are on their way to the top. After Royals became such huge a success, people were anxiously awaiting her next single, constantly asking when it would be released to radio play. Lorde answered with, Team, which perfectly represents the album.

  Pure Heroine is an album that has multiple upbeat songs that are masked with metaphors and symbolism to more suit Lorde’s musical style. Songs like, Ribs, A World Alone, and White Teeth Teens give the album a party feel while straying away from the mainstream cliches.

  On the other hand, Pure Heroine has no shortage of slow and meaningful songs. Still Sane, 400 Lux, and Buzzcut Season allude to memories Lorde has from her roots in New Zealand with lyrics like, “We ride the bus with our knees pulled in / People should see how we’re living” (from Buzzcut Season) and, “Now we’re wearing long sleeves, and the heating comes on / We’re getting good at this” (from 400 Lux). Lyrics like these give Lorde a personal connection to her songs, but also trigger memories from listeners who simply can’t get enough of her.

  Overall, I view Pure Heroine as a perfect balance between an alternative dance party, and a nostalgic reference to not only her’s, but many other’s past. Pure Heroine is a revamped version of Lorde’s semi-successful EP The Love Club which placed in the top 40 of the album charts.

  Lorde’s future looks promising with all of her accomplishments under her belt. Though there is the common concern that because she is only 17, Lorde’s talent will shortly become old news and will be replaced with a fresh face. However, with awards, like ‘Song of the Year’ at the Grammy’s and, ‘International Solo Female Artist’ at the Brits, clenched between her teeth, Lorde seems to be headed in the right direction.

Song Analysis 1, "Lemonade"

   Revisiting a former hit with a ukulele version of the song, "Lemonade," singer Jeremy Passion uses natural imagery, refreshing similes, and affectionate characterization to explain how "she's exactly what (he) need(s)."

   First, Jeremy Passion uses natural imagery to convey his emotion towards his love interest. Passion references the weather in the lyric,

"When it’s burning hot on a summers day,” to help the listener understand how his love interest makes him feel. Next, Jeremy Passion makes another reference to the weather: “She’s my sunshine in the rain.” Passion uses this reference to transmit the fact that he feels so strongly about her.  Also, Passion uses the lyric, “She’s soothing like the ocean rushing on the sand,” to relay to the listener that he has adamant feelings for the girl.

   Along with imagery, Jeremy Passion utilizes refreshing similes as a way to relate his love interest to other things. For example, Passion uses the lyric, “Like a tall glass of lemonade.” The application of ‘like’ in this lyric makes it clear to the listener that Passion feels that his lover’s affection is similar to the pleasure derived from a glass of lemonade. Jeremy also sings the lyric, “Kinda like the feeling after your first kiss,” to show that the feeling he gets when he is with his companion can be compared to the feeling of a first kiss. Lastly, Passion refers to the line, “She’s soothing like the ocean,” as a way to convey that his love interest brings a soothing that can be compared to the ocean.

   Lastly, Jeremy employs affectionate characterization towards his admirer. Passion sings, “Let me tell you what she means to me,” in a tone that implies that ‘she’ has a positive meaning to him. Passion, again, uses ‘she’ in the line, “Except that everyday she  makes me feel like this.” By using this pronoun, Jeremy relays that ‘she’ makes him feel a loving feeling. Also, Passion explains how, “She takes care of (him).” Through the usage of ‘she’ Jeremy gives the listener the thought that one of the reasons he feels so strongly towards his lover is because she can help him when he is in need.

  To conclude, by revisiting a hit with a ukulele version of the song, "Lemonade," Jeremy Passion shows his affectionate feelings towards a certain girl by utilizing certain literary devices to convey his love.

"Lemonade"