Solar Power
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Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 1294 Ratings

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  • Summary: The New Zealand pop star's third studio album finds her working again with producer Jack Antonoff. For environmental reasons, she has opted against a physical CD release in favor of a digital download.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    Aug 19, 2021
    100
    This is an album that grows in quiet stature with every listen, new nuggets of wisdom making their way to the surface, peeking through its beautiful instrumentation that weaves a stunning, leafy tapestry. Few artists strike gold on every record they create but, for the third time in a row, Lorde has done it again, crafting yet another world-beater.
  2. Variety
    Aug 20, 2021
    86
    Does the drastic gear shift work? It does, although there’s no avoiding that it may divide a previous fan base that looked at her widow’s peak and imagined they saw a dagger. ... But small things like this are quibbles in the face of how well Lorde has pulled off one of the more difficult stunts in pop music: making a happy album that’s a good album.
  3. Paste Magazine
    Aug 21, 2021
    77
    The elegance of Solar Power is in its warmth, how you can put it on and not pay much attention to its details, and still catch yourself hitting replay.
  4. Los Angeles Times
    Aug 19, 2021
    70
    [A] curiously low-key album ... These are weird, spare, twisty-turny psych-folk tunes, many of them without the propulsive beats that used to drive Lorde’s music; most of the time, she’s simply layering her fluttering, slightly raspy vocals over Antonoff’s noodly electric guitar in a way that recalls Nico’s 1967 cult classic “Chelsea Girl,” of all things.
  5. AllMusic
    Aug 26, 2021
    60
    If you're riding and vibing with Lorde, this bright shapelessness is superb mood music. If you're not riding her wave, Solar Power can seem elusive, even cloying, as it circles and sways with a smile.
  6. The Telegraph (UK)
    Aug 19, 2021
    60
    It sounds utterly gorgeous, and perhaps this laid-back, stripped-down folksy bent is part of a generational pop shift, echoing the intimate minimalism of Billie Eilish – but I have my doubts. ... Lorde’s lyrics are still acute, her singing superb, her songs beguiling, but her perspective has shifted from every-girl outsider to over-privileged solipsist. Solar Power is underpowered and unlikely to set the world on fire.
  7. The Independent (UK)
    Aug 19, 2021
    40
    Solar Power finds Lorde swapping her trademark directness for tuneless detachment.

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 446 out of 548
  2. Mixed: 41 out of 548
  3. Negative: 61 out of 548
  1. bobthemusician
    Aug 20, 2021
    10
    Lorde's Solar Power is the dreamy, euphoric and self-reflecting album that will heal your wounds from riding through Lorde's violent wave ofLorde's Solar Power is the dreamy, euphoric and self-reflecting album that will heal your wounds from riding through Lorde's violent wave of emotions of her past two albums.… Expand
  2. venaskie18
    Aug 20, 2021
    10
    another great album from lorde! I feel this album will divide the audience if you were expecting melodrama 2.0 this is probably not the albumanother great album from lorde! I feel this album will divide the audience if you were expecting melodrama 2.0 this is probably not the album for you, if you don't like Mello /acoustic songs this album is not for you. What this album is like other albums a snapshot of her life in the last 4 years the lyrics and the production reflects that. She has definitely made an album for herself.She is a true artist and has made it very clear she is not chasing sales, streams and chart, radio success. She is making music that feels true to her. Much respect.… Expand
  4. Yaxmiw
    Aug 20, 2021
    10
    Álbum incrível, adoro como a lorde inova a cada álbum, é como se ela estivesse amadurecendo a cada lançamento.
  5. EstherDx
    Aug 20, 2021
    10
    The album just feels like a fresh breath of summer air! Very different from her previous work but very interesting and beautiful! You need toThe album just feels like a fresh breath of summer air! Very different from her previous work but very interesting and beautiful! You need to listen to it a couple of times to fully understand the lyrics but totally worth the wait! Love it!… Expand
  6. angenavo
    Aug 20, 2021
    10
    A masterpiece!! Lorde showed her growth and proved that she will not repeat herself.
  7. tommasom
    Aug 22, 2021
    8
    You may be disappointed if you expected melodrama 2.0, but that doesn't mean this is not an amazing album. It's her most more mature andYou may be disappointed if you expected melodrama 2.0, but that doesn't mean this is not an amazing album. It's her most more mature and relaxed era and even though there are a couple of weak tracks, overall the album is quite an experience. If you just want heartache bops then go listen to Melodrama instead of criticizing this masterpiece.… Expand
  8. arianadelrey
    Sep 6, 2021
    0
    boring. people only act like they like it cuz it’s lorde. stream dangerous woman!

See all 548 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2021

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