The four-year wait for Lorde’s followup to the excellent 2017 album Melodrama is nearly done, with Solar Power due out on August 20.
I found the album’s first single, and title song, a bit underwhelming after such a long wait. But I enjoyed its breeziness, and I think it’s just fine if she doesn’t try to redefine the sound of modern pop music every time she drops a record.
This new track is a good one, though I find it almost distractingly similar to several Lana Del Rey songs. Credit or blame might go to Jack Antonoff, who produces and writes with both of them.
I’ve seen a lot of people online coming for Antonoff for reusing material as he hops from artist to artist, but honestly, this is the first time I’ve gotten that impression. I’ve always admired how he can work with Lana Del Rey, Taylor Swift and Lorde (just to name three) and help each of them sound so much like themselves.
I think people just turn on anybody who starts becoming ubiquitous, no matter how talented. Just ask Lin Manuel Miranda.
As for Lorde, I’m intrigued by the new direction of these first two singles, and very excited to hear what else Solar Power has in store.
Got a wishbone drying on the windowsill in my kitchen
Just in case I wake up and realise I’ve chosen wrong
I love this life that I have
The vine hanging over the door
And the dog who comes when I call
But I wonder sometimes what I’m missing
[Pre-Chorus]
Well, my hot blood’s been burning for so many summers now
It’s time to cool it down, wherever that leads
[Chorus]
‘Cause all the beautiful girls, they will fade like the roses
And all the times they will change, it’ll all come around
I don’t know
Maybе I’m just stoned at the nail salon
Maybe I’m just stonеd at the nail salon again
[Verse 2]
Got a memory of waiting in your bed wearing only my earrings
We’d go dancing all over the landmines under our town
But the sun has to rise
When it does, we’ll divide up the papers
Two former hell-raisers
I’m still crazy for you, babe
[Pre-Chorus]
Well, my hot blood’s been burning for so many summers now
It’s time to cool it down, wherever that leads
[Chorus]
‘Cause all the music you loved at sixteen you’ll grow out of
And all the times they will change, it’ll all come around
I don’t know
Maybe I’m just
Maybe I’m just stoned at the nail salon again
[Bridge]
Oh, make it good
Oh, make it good
I’d ride and I’d ride on the carousel
‘Round and ’round forever if I could
But it’s time to cool it down
Whatever that means
[Chorus]
Spend all the evenings you can with the people who raised you
‘Cause all the times they will change, it’ll all come around
I don’t know
Maybe I’m just stoned at the nail salon
Maybe I’m just stoned at the nail salon again
Meet Me In Montauk 
I think an argument could be made that this is less about a common producer and more about how great songwriters influence each other, particularly, in this case, the influence Lana Del Rey has had on Lorde and Swift.
I’m a huge fan of “Solar Power” and can’t wait to hear the rest of this album. I find this song compelling as well, but the shocking similarity to “Hope is a Dangerous Thing” is something I just can’t get past. I do think that’s probably on Jack… but I’m hoping there aren’t a slew of songs that feel so interchangeable on the album.