Lorde's highly anticipated fourth studio album, Virgin, has hit a sour note with fans after reports emerged of CD copies failing to play in standard stereo systems. The New Zealand artist released the album alongside a surprise Glastonbury performance last Friday, but technical frustrations overshadowed the launch for some buyers.
Fan Max, who uses gender-neutral pronouns, told BBC Newsbeat their pre-ordered transparent CD—a design choice aligning with the album's aesthetic theme—refused to function in their home audio equipment. "I'm all for creative presentation, but CDs should primarily play music," they said. The issue gained traction after Max's TikTok video documenting the problem garnered over 200,000 views.
"It's frustrating buying something that doesn't work straight out of the box. This clearly wasn't thoroughly tested," Max added.
While traditional CDs rely on laser-readable metallic layers, the clear disc's unconventional design appears to disrupt playback in some devices. However, Reddit users reported success using gaming consoles like PlayStation for playback, suggesting compatibility varies across hardware.
The transparency theme extends to the album's artwork, featuring an X-ray image of a pelvis (believed to be Lorde's) with an intrauterine device visible, and vinyl versions showcasing see-through trousers. Universal Music Group, Lorde's label, has offered refunds to affected customers but hasn't commented publicly on the manufacturing issue.
This release marks Lorde's return to physical media after skipping CD production for 2021's Solar Power due to environmental concerns. The artist emphasized Virgin's use of recyclable materials, though the current controversy highlights challenges in merging artistic vision with functional design.
As fans await solutions, Max remains hopeful: "I'd love a replacement that actually plays. The album deserves to be heard—not just displayed."
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