Lorde channels raw emotion in the music video for “Man of the Year.” Lorde is officially back with a new single titled “Man of the Year,” offering fans a deeply personal preview of her forthcoming album Virgin. The song finds the New Zealand alt-pop star at her most vulnerable, with Lorde herself describing it as “an offering from really deep inside me” and “the song I’m proudest of on Virgin.” In signature Lorde fashion, the track builds from a piercingly spare opening—just her voice over a gentle bassline—into an intense swell of synths and feeling. There’s an unconventional structure at play: instead of a typical pop chorus, “Man of the Year” continuously climbs in emotion and volume until it reaches a cathartic finale, then disappears, leaving a lasting impact on the listener.
Accompanying the single is a striking Grant Singer-directed music video that puts Lorde’s introspection on full display. Shot in stark, minimalist style, the video centers on Lorde’s emotive performance and symbolic imagery rather than elaborate storytelling. The artist’s expressive faces and delicate movements underscore the song’s themes of self-reflection and transformation. “Man of the Year” is the second single revealed from Lorde’s upcoming fourth album Virgin, following last month’s release of lead track “What Was That.” Lorde co-produced the album with Jim-E Stack and collaborated with the likes of Devonté Hynes (Blood Orange) and Daniel Nigro, signaling an eclectic sonic palette. With Virgin due out later this year and an international tour on the horizon, Lorde’s new material suggests a bold era of musical and personal exploration – one that’s deeply honest and resonating on a profound level with her audience.
