Lorde announced her journey as an independent artist after leaving Universal Music.
Image: X/@TheLordeCult
She’s given us “Royals,” “Green Light”, and those goosebump moments that hit us in the feels, and now Lorde is officially doing it her way. And let’s not forget the full brows we low-key wish we could wake up with every morning.
The singer has announced that she’s stepping out as an independent artist after her long‑standing record deal with Universal Music expired late in 2025.
In a series of voice notes to fans, Lorde reflected on the feeling of stepping into creative freedom. “I feel a real hunger for newness … like a new leaf is turning or there’s a blank slate that’s been presented,” she said.
She explained that leaving the deal, which had governed much of her creative output since childhood, has given her a unique sense of openness.
“When I see an opportunity for a clean slate, I try to take it … it just feels exciting to have, I don’t know, remove the container for a second,” she added.
While the end of her deal marks a huge shift, Lorde made it clear that she holds no ill will toward Universal. She described her former team as “incredible people” whom she adores, but acknowledged the reality of signing so young.
“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.”
This honesty about her early career highlights just how unusual it is for artists to fully control their creative vision at such a young age.
Her latest album, "Virgin", released in June 2025 under Universal, marked the last chapter of that long-standing partnership. Now, as an independent artist, Lorde has the rare opportunity to experiment and shape her music completely on her own terms.
Artists who step away from labels often take one of two paths: they either explode creatively, like Taylor Swift with her re-recordings, or they explore new, experimental directions, like Frank Ocean. Lorde seems poised to do a little of both, blending her signature pop sensibility with the freedom to innovate.
Fans can expect an era defined not just by sound, but by pure artistic ownership. Independence, she suggests, is as much about mindset as it is about business.
In a music world where contracts can often dictate creativity, Lorde’s decision to press pause and step into her own vision is refreshing.