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 1308 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: 448 out of 552
  2. Mixed: 42 out of 552
  3. Negative: 62 out of 552
  1. lordechild
    Aug 20, 2021
    10
    This album is so magical. Pitchfork should put their opinions in their **** holes. Lorde just want us to experience a new level in this life.This album is so magical. Pitchfork should put their opinions in their **** holes. Lorde just want us to experience a new level in this life. This album is perfect while you were walking in the beach back and forth. You will gonna experience feelings you never felt before. Magical, pure nostalgia, tears of heaven. Her best album vocally. 10/10… 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. ArthurColl
    Aug 20, 2021
    10
    This is what all of us should have been expecting. This album is a perfect mix between 60-70's music and Lorde's universe : references toThis is what all of us should have been expecting. This album is a perfect mix between 60-70's music and Lorde's universe : references to hippie life, nostalgia of old times, how to handle the fame when you're a teen, getting older.
    I feel blessed listening to this masterpiece. I'm pretty sure this album will age well. Everybody needs to be hit by the sun rays of this album and the melancholia hidden inside it. (Oceanic feeling supremacy)    … Expand
  5. sofiafloressss
    Aug 20, 2021
    10
    beautifully written, production is out of this world and everything about this album is brand new and exiting, thank you lorde
  6. Franmc
    Aug 20, 2021
    10
    A clear change from her chaotic but intimate sophomore album “Melodrama”. In “Solar Power” when Lorde (Ella Yelich O'Connor) strips down inA clear change from her chaotic but intimate sophomore album “Melodrama”. In “Solar Power” when Lorde (Ella Yelich O'Connor) strips down in both production and lyrics she shows herself in “a new kind of bright” where the listeners can appreciate and feel the introspection that Lorde gifts us. This is the album that will put Lorde's name with the greats and will further prove that her artistry is something to be grateful for. Album highlights include: The Path, Fallen Fruit, and Oceanic Feeling.… Expand
  7. Wavyy
    Aug 21, 2021
    8
    Even tho this isn’t my favorite Lorde album, it is still a really great album. I think it actually says something when a artist can give youEven tho this isn’t my favorite Lorde album, it is still a really great album. I think it actually says something when a artist can give you something different every album. I think the one thing Lorde do very well is give us music based on her mood. I think album is equivalent to Taylor Swift’s Folklore album. It’s a really great attempt of Indie Pop music. It also sound like she is really enjoying the summer. Oceanic Feeling is the perfect outro and song on this album. Obviously, a lot of people won’t like this album because it’s not typical somber and dark music like Lorde is known for but I think it is just as good as Lorde previous albums. I throughly enjoyed it and it will be replayed a lot.… Expand
  8. alien_
    Sep 29, 2021
    0
    pobre ecolorde, pasando la drogada en el salón de uñas, ya manda bien tus vinilos, ni porque te queda una peluquera te portas bien con ella memeaa

See all 552 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2021

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