TN:158 Lorde & Jim-E Stack

Jul 1, 2025

Lorde, the celebrated New Zealand singer-songwriter, teams up with American producer Jim-E Stack, known for his innovative collaborations. They delve into the making of Lorde's bold new album, ‘Virgin’, exploring themes of self-discovery and identity. The duo shares insights into their collaborative process, discussing how the lyrics and production inform each other. They also reveal unique production techniques, including crafting a special drum loop, and reflect on the organic evolution of tracks like 'Grown Woman' and 'Shapeshifter'.

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ANECDOTE

Virgin's Creative Beginning

Lorde and Jim-E Stack began Virgin in late 2023 after experimenting since early 2022.
They wrote "What Was That" and started "Shapeshifter" in a pivotal week in New York.

INSIGHT

Rhythm Shapes Virgin's Sound

Virgin's songs grew from minimalist drum loops fleshed out with melody first, then lyrics.
Lorde values rhythm and physicality in production closely aligning music and theme.

INSIGHT

Production as Storytelling

Lorde treats production like screenwriting, using sounds as characters and scenes to tell the song's story.
Production choices repeat instruments and sounds to create a cohesive sonic world.

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