A newly released album, entitled “Pure Heroine” by Lorde, was released Sept. 27. Before this album, Lorde had only released an EP named “The Love Club,” which had come out Nov. 22 of last year, but was recently re-released in the United States at a cheaper price. Both of these albums have similar aspects of being a teenager and the consequences as such. Drugs and alcohol: typical temptations for teenagers.

Lorde’s voice is grainy and mature; you’d never think that she was only 16. However, she doesn’t demonstrate much vocal range as a singer. There is room for growth seeing as this is only her first full-length album. Judging for her incredible popularity, there will be much more to come from this young New Zealand artist. She is currently topping the billboard charts, above household names such as Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga.

Her single, “Tennis Court”, is most likely the song that introduced most listeners to Lorde (besides “Royals”). She showcases the darker sides of pop music and growing up. The song is catchy albeit pretty strange, leading the rest of the album to #1 on iTunes.

“Ribs” begins calmly enough, with Lorde’s signature background harmonies and smooth beats, but she sounds exhausted and increasingly frantic as the song progresses. It sounds as though she’s discovering new maturity in real time. “I’ve never felt more alone, it feels so scary getting old,” she sings of the uncertainty and confusion that comes coupled with being on your own for the first time in your life, no longer being able to count on anyone else but yourself.

My personal favorite of “Pure Heroine” is titled “Glory and Gore” and is a shot fired at society’s fixation on violence and drama. Lorde sounds as weary as ever, seemingly hyper aware of all the flaws of the world. The music behind her voice shifts between upbeat to hollow clanks halfway through, as she sings “Glory and gore go hand-in-hand, that’s why we’re making headlines.”

Every song on the album is a masterpiece, but the one that beats the rest is her album closer, “A World Alone.” It is the longest song on the album, nearing five minutes, and has a lot of power behind it. Lorde gives a snapshot of her world and everything in it, both good and bad, and the person she can escape all of it with. The song is beautiful and relaxing, and is the ideal album closer to an already fantastic record.