Emerging as a fully formed enigma from her native New Zealand, Lorde tapped into an untouched well of alienation, becoming the poster child for a generation who found refuge from the eternal excess of the 2010s by submerging themselves in moody art. “Royals,” the hit single that made her an international phenomenon, became a genuine sensation, topping the charts in country after country and being covered by elder statesmen like Bruce Springsteen and Jack White, a move that functioned a bit as a benediction. Lorde didn’t need their blessing, though. The singer/songwriter struck a chor…
more >>>