It's official: Lorde is back.

The singer has been very quiet since the release of her album Melodrama in 2017, and has been under the radar, secretly reviewing onion rings on Instagram and apparently, working on new music. Her single "Solar Power" came as a surprise when it dropped in June, and now the full album is finally here.

Also titled Solar Power, the album is different from Lorde's previous sound. It is scaled back, and focuses on storytelling and lyrics being matched with sunny beats and early 2000s references. The record also features a surprising interlude from Swedish singer Robyn, as well as vocals from both Clairo and Phoebe Bridgers.

The simplicity of the album makes sense, as the main inspiration behind it was the singer's trip to Antarctica in 2019. Gaining perspective on the climate crisis, the album is self-aware and comes with new perspectives, reflecting on her decision to move out of the spotlight and leave social media for good.

“Teen millionaire having nightmares from the camera flash,” she sings on “The Path,” reflecting on the obsession with young celebrities including Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo, and the massive pressure young artists are put under once they first get a taste of success. Lorde has also sampled her own Grammy win announcement for “Royals” in 2014, once again looking at her career and asking, "What if?"

One thing is for sure, and that is that Solar Power is nothing like its predecessor's Pure Heroine and Melodrama – and that's a good thing. It's an album filled with fun beats, good melodies, great lyrics, and unexpected harmonies, and perhaps also solidifies Lorde as one of the coolest pop stars of our time.

Solar Power is now available across all streaming platforms, with the singer also set to perform at the upcoming VMAs next month. Lorde is back, and we're excited.