Melodrama

the brash and rebellious attitude lorde showed on her debut full-length was definitely challenged, and the result is this amazing, intimate, and emotional piece of maturity and self-care. the lifestyles lorde previously criticized creep into her life, and she's dumbfounded with what to do and where to go with her life. it seeps into her relationships, and this seems to be the main focus for many of the tracks. many genuine emotions, like greed, pain, love and more, are transmitted through these memory-style ballads. even though she sticked to pop on the last record, the truly acoustic numbers are heightened by lorde's improved songwriting and deadly voice. it's definitely her masterpiece, and a true moment of glory for the pop of last decade. i can't wait for the new album.

º③ The Louvre

the verses alone are easily enough to give this track the 10/10 it deserves. the chorus is catchy and enjoyable, and that "boom, boom" refrain is perfectly mixed for that extra weight. the muffled guitar strums give so much to the charmingly obsessive first verse, while the laments of the second one are an all too familiar portrait that lorde paints perfectly. oof.

ºº② Homemade Dynamite

the little details in an otherwise streamlined pop song are essential for gathering that special love for the track. in the case of this song, the marching band drums on the verse give it so much movement and excitement, leading up to an amazing moment where the momentum stops for the track to glitch out into the chorus. it's so unexpected, yet so great every time.

ººº① Liability

it's no joke that lorde makes some of the most relatable music in modern pop; this example is enough to make anyone feel identified at any point in their life. it's so easy for us humans to fall into the harmful mindset of being too much: a liability. though it's depressing through and through, it's the comfort in catharsis that ends up leaving a sweet aftertaste through bitter times.

WORST TRACK————> Liability (Reprise)

though sonically pleasing, the standout factor about this song is that it really doesn't have a standout factor. lorde took the easy way out for making closure on all the troubles she suffers on "Liability"; it's a really loose end that's unfortunately tied up better on "Perfect Places" than on its' namesake.