Lorde fans surprised by explicit photo on Virgin album artwork

W on Saturday that the Virgin vinyl insert artwork depicts the singer herself posing nude and wearing clear pants.

Lorde’s fourth album, Virgin, was released last Friday, marking her comeback after the commercial downturn of her previous record, Solar Power, in 2021. The lead single from the new album, “What Was That,” has reignited interest in Lorde’s music, becoming her first solo top 40 hit in the U.S. in almost eight years, with her last hit being “Green Light” in 2017.

Last year, Lorde made headlines for resolving longstanding tension with another artist, Charli XCX, after Charli released a song called “Girl, So Confusing,” hinting at their strained relationship. Eventually, the two artists confirmed that the song was about them, and they even collaborated on a remix of it, performing together on stage to show that they had worked past their differences.

The artwork inside the vinyl edition of Virgin has sparked conversations about nudity on social media. Fans were surprised to see an image of what appeared to be Lorde herself, showing off her abdomen, lower body, and pubic hair through a pair of transparent pants. Some fans took to social media to share their reactions, with one writing, “Lorde showing lordeussy on her vinyl. I’m seated,” followed by a clarification that they loved the cover.

Lorde’s official webstore displays the standard cover of the album, featuring a blue X-ray image of a pelvis. However, just below this cover, the outline of the suggestive photo shared by fans can be seen, with the gray background visible in both images. The store warns potential buyers about the contents, stating in all caps that the vinyl insert contains “PARENTAL ADVISORY” and “ADULT IMAGES.”

The representative for Lorde confirmed that the image in question on the vinyl insert is indeed the singer herself posing nude and wearing see-through pants. This bold artistic choice has garnered mixed reactions from fans, sparking dialogue about nudity and artistic expression. Lorde’s willingness to push boundaries and challenge societal norms through her artwork has once again placed her at the forefront of conversations about creativity and self-expression in the music industry.

Despite the controversy surrounding the album artwork, Virgin has already made waves with its catchy pop tunes, proving that Lorde continues to captivate audiences with her unique sound and unapologetic approach to her artistry. As fans eagerly delve into the music and imagery of the record, it’s clear that Lorde’s impact on the music industry is as powerful as ever.