Grade: 4.0/5.0

After a four-year hiatus, queen of the broody, lovelorn misfits Lorde is back just in time for the sunshine and warm weather. Her single, “Solar Power,” released June 10 alongside a music video filled to the brim with serotonin, is a bubbly and perfectly relaxed homage to the sun, nature and the joy both bring. (The release fittingly coincided with a solar eclipse.) Lorde’s disappearance from social media and the public eye was not in vain — it was simply a catalyst for the rebirth of an improved artist.

Lorde herself has said that “Solar Power” and her upcoming album of the same name are celebrations of nature and how strongly she feels about the beauty of the outdoors. It’s evident that nature was the vehicle for the singer to move on from the sadness of heartbreak and solitude she crooned about on Melodrama. “And I throw my cellular device in the water/ Can you reach me? No, you can’t,” Lorde casually sings with just the right amount of bite. The song is a manifestation of her happy place on the beach without a care in the world, and it’s a way of life we all should truly be living. 

From Lorde’s usual sultry voice wrapping listeners in a warm blanket of familiarity to the lightly strummed chords and bright drums, “Solar Power” oozes comfort and advocates for self-care. “Forget all of the tears you’ve cried,” she sings. The backing harmonizations add another layer of mysticism and relaxation to the already-dreamy track.

Lorde is radiant both in her vocals and in her energy; it’s no secret that she is no longer a girl pressured by fame. “Solar Power” marks immense growth for Lorde as a person, a testament to the healing she gained from living her life on her own terms and later making music celebrating her change. The single undoubtedly marks a different era for the singer, one not of teen angst or loneliness but of carefree living and enjoying the wonders of life.

Though she still treats us to her witty lyricism, Lorde — instead of criticizing problematic aspects of society and life — uses her charm as a means to add some light-hearted humor to the song. “Can I kick it? Yeah, I can,” she sings slyly, a reference to the classic song by hip-hop group, A Tribe Called Quest. But most iconic of all is the line, “I’m kinda like a prettier Jesus,” for none other reason than it’s true.

Lorde’s dramatic shift from profoundly dark lyricism and a relatable despair to frolicking on a beach with her lover is far from ditzy. Her experimentation with different sounds is a refreshing change for the artist and most importantly, she’s clearly having a great time. Lorde has entered a new part of her journey; “Solar Power” is the rainbow after the hurricane.

There’s a beauty in the happiness and jesting vibe Lorde emits on “Solar Power.” If the album Solar Power matches the energy on the single, we know we’ll have plenty of anthems for the summer to uplift us. Throwing our phones into the ocean as we blast Lorde’s music doesn’t sound too bad either.