Pure Heroine | ||||
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Standard edition cover artwork; extended edition cover artwork is the same but features the word "extended" beyond the title.
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Studio album by Lorde | ||||
Released | 27 September 2013 | |||
Recorded | 2012–13 | |||
Studio | ||||
Genre | ||||
Length | 37:08 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | Joel Little | |||
Lorde chronology | ||||
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Singles from Pure Heroine | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Aggregate scores | |
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 79/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
The A.V. Club | B+ |
Entertainment Weekly | A− |
The Guardian | |
The Independent | |
NME | 6/10 |
Pitchfork Media | 7.3/10 |
Q | |
Rolling Stone | |
Spin | 6/10 |
Pure Heroine is the debut studio album by New Zealand singer Lorde. It was released on 27 September 2013 through Universal Music Group, Republic Records and Lava Records. An extended edition of the album was released on 13 December 2013. Lorde collaborated with producer Joel Little and began planning the project in 2012. After releasing her first extended play (EP) The Love Club EP and its lead single "Royals" in 2013, they continued writing and producing material. Pure Heroine is a dream pop, electronica and electropop album built around minimal production, deep bass and programmed beats. Lyrically, the album discusses youth and critiques of mainstream culture.
Pure Heroine received highly positive reviews from music critics, who commended its songwriting and production, and praised Lorde's vocal ability. The record debuted at number one on the Official New Zealand Music Chart and the ARIA Charts. Pure Heroine performed strongly on international record charts, reaching number three on the US Billboard 200 and charting within the top-ten in eight additional countries. Pure Heroine was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in 2014. The album was also notable for its impact on present-day pop music and its challenge to modern-day artists.
The lead single, "Royals", was a critical and commercial success, topping the charts in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States where Lorde became the first solo New Zealand act to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the youngest act to do so since Tiffany's 1987 single "I Think We're Alone Now". "Tennis Court" was subsequently released as the album's second single and charted in multiple countries. "Team" was released as the third single from the album, charting within the New Zealand, Canada and the United States top-ten, and in the Australian top-twenty. "Glory and Gore" was released as the fourth and final single from the album. The album has sold more than five million copies worldwide since its release.