Lorde's NYC Subway Confession Ignites Music Theory of Self-Reflection

Lorde. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Lorde sparked speculation of an upcoming music release after she was spotted riding the subway in New York City on October 18. The 26-year-old "Ribs" singer was seen wearing a pair of large headphones. A fan captured the moment and shared photos on X (formerly Twitter) with a caption claiming that Lorde wrote her last album, Melodrama, specifically for them.

A Lorde fan account on Instagram recently brought to attention that the musician has a history of listening to her own music in public to evaluate it prior to its release. The fan account shared a post this week, captioned: "A fan encountered Lorde on the NYC train yesterday! The last time she was spotted wearing headphones on NYC trains was in 2017 when she was testing her own album."

Days later, Lorde (real name Ella Yelich-O’Connor) herself commented on the post, seemingly confirming the fan theory.

“I was in fact listening to myself ,” she wrote.

Courtesy of @snarkilytm/X (formerly known as Twitter)

Two months after the release of her album Solar Power in 2021, Lorde hinted at an upcoming surprise for her fans.

"The present moments are both breathtaking and unsettling, with a multitude of things I wish to share with you. However, let me clarify that this is not the beginning of something significant; I simply want you to know that there is a radiance within me that I will disclose to you in due time," expressed the "Royals" artist alongside an Instagram carousel in August. The carousel featured photos of herself and some companions enjoying a swim in an indoor pool.

A month later, Lorde further delved into her emotional state through a heartfelt email letter addressed to her fans. She disclosed her extended stay in London since May, where she had mostly been engrossed in her thoughts and distanced from her circle of friends. The Grammy winner revealed that her nights were consumed with contemplation over her creative endeavors.

In addition to opening up about “living with heartbreak again,” Lorde shared insights into her creative process in the email.

Kate Green/Getty Images

"I create records out of necessity and humorously enough, it is easy to overlook this fact. My songs serve as enchantments, facilitating the release of emotions or unlocking various experiences. Each time I articulate my observations and match them with the appropriate melodies, there is a sense of relief as emotional knots within me unravel. However, this process is not without its share of pain, as it forces me to face these entanglements," she expressed.

Lorde continued, reflecting on her current journey, "I am aware that I will fondly reminisce about this year, admiring the profound way it solidified everything and transitioned me from my previous decade working in childhood to the next one that awaits. Despite the challenges, I am incredibly thrilled for what lies ahead. It is just difficult when you are immersed in the present moment."