Lorde Declares Independence: Artist Parts Ways with Universal Music After Landmark Deal
Lorde has announced her departure from Universal Music Group (UMG) after fulfilling a long-standing recording contract signed at age 12, marking a new chapter of creative independence.
Lorde is embarking on a new chapter in her career, declaring her independence from Universal Music Group (UMG) after the conclusion of her long-term recording contract.
In a voice message to her devoted fanbase, the artist revealed her decision not to renew the deal she entered at the young age of 12. Reflecting on her journey, Lorde expressed gratitude for her time with UMG, acknowledging the label's support and the incredible people she worked with.
"I have been in that contract for a very, very long time, in some form of that contract since I was 12 years old, when I signed my first development deal with Universal," Lorde explained. "And I adore them. They’re incredible people and I had an amazing experience with them. But the truth is that a 12-year-old girl pre-sold her creative output before she knew what it would be like, and before she knew what she was signing away."
Lorde Pure Heroine
Lorde's debut album, Pure Heroine, dropped in September 2013, catapulting her to international fame at just 16. Tracks like "Royals" established her as a fresh voice in pop music. She followed up with the critically acclaimed Melodrama in 2017 and Solar Power in 2021. Virgin, released in June 2025, marked the final album under her UMG contract.
While open to future collaborations, even potentially with UMG, Lorde is prioritizing a period of unfettered creative exploration. "I knew that I needed to take a second to have nothing being bought or sold that comes from me," she stated. "When I see an opportunity for a clean slate, I try to take it. And it does feel different. It sounds like it wouldn’t, but it really does. I feel a feeling of openness and possibility and I’m inspired."
Currently, Lorde is preparing for upcoming festival appearances and the final leg of her Ultrasound World Tour. Beyond music, she's embracing new experiences, including learning chess and pursuing her driver's license. She's also leased an office space to foster her creative endeavors.
"It just feels exciting to have, I don’t know, removed the container or something, for a second," Lorde shared. "So, yeah, newness is kind of the theme, clean slate, openness, newness." This sense of liberation is reflected in her phone background, displaying the empowering message: "I have no master." This theme also appeared on Virgin, notably in the track "David."
In "David," she sings:
"Oh, dark day/Was I just young blood to get on tape?/’Cause you dimed me out when it got hard/Uppercut to the throat, I was off guard/Pure heroine mistaken for featherweight."
Lorde Solar Power
Lorde elaborates, "This idea that I kind of started manifesting in ‘David,’ that just clearly wants to keep expanding and expanding. I’m just trying to do weird shit. I’m reading bizarre fucking books at the moment, some of them I don’t even know if I like. But there’s newness coming through everywhere, and it feels good. It feels right."
Related Articles
Listen to Lorde on Foxsoundi. Click here to listen!
Comments (0)
Login to comment