“Lorde Sparks Debate Among Fans After Including Explicit Photo in Vinyl Release of Upcoming Album ‘Virgin’”
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“This is what’s causing all the fuss?” one commenter asked.
Lorde’s Bold Album Artwork Ignites Intense Online Debate
Fans are buzzing about the striking visual choices in Lorde’s latest album, Virgin, which dropped on Friday, June 27. The vinyl edition of her fourth studio album has sparked controversy due to an explicit image included in its eight-page insert — a close-up shot showing the artist’s pelvic area through sheer pants. A representative for the singer confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that the photo is indeed of Lorde herself.
The item listing on her official merchandise store comes with a clear advisory: “adult images” included.
The image has divided fans and stirred up passionate discourse online. Some were shocked by its explicit nature, while others took issue with visible body hair.
“I opened the app and the first thing I saw was Lorde’s crotch — and with pubic hair, no less,” one user posted on X. Another wrote, “I didn’t need that thrown in my face, but hey, it’s clearly working — everyone’s talking about it.”
On the flip side, supporters defended Lorde’s artistic choices and accused critics of overreacting. “This is what’s causing all the outrage?” one person commented, while another dismissed the backlash as “people being overly dramatic.”
Many also praised the album’s creative vision. “I absolutely love the visual style and concept behind Virgin,” a fan wrote.
In an interview with Zane Lowe, Lorde shared a lighthearted story about finishing the album at Electric Lady Studios in New York. During that time, rapper Jack Harlow happened to be in the same studio space and got an early listen to much of the project. “He’s a total sweetheart,” she recalled. “He said, ‘Your bars — these are bars.’ I told him, ‘That’s your line, not mine.’”
The Royals singer has also been increasingly open about her evolving relationship with gender. In a recent Rolling Stone conversation with Chappell Roan, she explained her fluid self-perception. “Chappell asked me, ‘So, are you nonbinary now?’ And I said, ‘I’m a woman… except when I feel like a man.’ It’s not a simple answer, but I’ve always resisted labels,” she explained.
Lorde described how trying on a pair of men’s jeans in 2023 unexpectedly became a turning point. After texting a photo to producer Jim-E Stack, he replied, “I want the version of you in that photo to show up in the music.” She noted that the moment marked the beginning of her gender exploration — one that later included experimenting with how she physically presents herself, like taping down her chest.