“Pure Heroin” by Lorde

Total Album Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“And we’ll never be Rooooyyyyyals” sings every person who has ever heard Lorde’s pop hit on the radio every two seconds. At just 17 years old, the New Zealand native has soared to superstar status in a matter of months. If you’re wondering why her stage persona is “Lorde,” it’s probably due to the fact that her real name is Ella Maria Lani Yelich-O’Connor. That would have been quite a mouthful for the announcer when they called her name twice to accept her Grammy awards on Jan. 26, 2014.

Her debut album, titled “Pure Heroin” debuted on Sept. 27, 2013 and a deluxe version was released on Dec. 13, 2013. Although a relatively “old” album to review, it’s getting more spotlight now than ever.

The best song of the album, which is ironically the first one, is called “Tennis Court.” With quirky lyrics like “the veins of my city,” it’s an interesting song to listen to because the message has a lot of truth to it regarding the music business and her career. The only thing that would have made it better is if there was no auto bass, which unfortunately most of Lorde’s songs have.

“Bravado” is also a keeper. The powerful tune explains the singer’s struggle with who she is and who she wants to be, evident in the lyric, “I’ll find my own bravado.”

The worst songs on the album are “Still Sane”, “White Teeth Teens,” “Biting Down,” and “Swingin Party.” “Still Sane” and “Swingin Party” have absolutely no speed to them while “Biting Down” lacks in the lyrical department. “White Teeth Teens” is as strange as its title because the song doesn’t make any sense.

Overall, Lorde has the talent to maintain her success. She could try to switch up her style a bit from slow songs with slightly complex lyrics to ones with a faster pace and simpler words. However, if there is one thing Lorde is not, it’s mainstream. While her methods are a little unorthodox, it has proven to work for her so far.

Check out the ratings I gave each track:

1. “Tennis Court” – 5 stars
2. “400 Lux” – 3 stars
3. “Royals” – 4.5 stars
4. “Ribs” – 3 stars
5. “Buzzcut Season” – 4 stars
6. “Team” – 4 stars
7. “Glory and Gore” – 3 stars
8. “Still Sane” – 2.5 stars
9. “White Teeth Teens” – 2.5 stars
10. “A World Alone” – 3.5 stars
11. “No Better” – 4 stars
12. “Bravado” – 5 stars
13. “Million Dollar Bills” – 3 stars
14. “The Love Club” – 3 stars
15. “Biting Down” – 2.5 stars
16. “Swingin Party” – 2.5 stars

Lauren Fabiszak is an A&E Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.