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Lorde’s bold artistic choices have always set her apart, but her latest move has left some fans unable to hear a single note.
The New Zealand pop star’s new album, Virgin, has been praised for its stripped-back sound and emotional honesty. But a unique CD version released alongside it is causing widespread frustration among fans, particularly those who still prefer to enjoy their music the traditional way.
In keeping with the album’s theme of “transparency,” Lorde released a special edition of Virgin on a clear, see-through plastic CD, made entirely of recyclable materials. The minimalist disc matches the album’s aesthetic and environmental message, but there’s one big problem: it doesn’t play in most CD players.
Fans who bought the now sold-out CD have taken to social media platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) to share their disappointment. Multiple videos show users inserting the transparent disc into their stereo systems, only to be met with an error message: “NO DISC.”
Credit: Amazon
One user captioned their clip:
“Seems like they didn’t account for this 😕. My new Lorde transparent CD doesn’t work in this stereo! Seems like older models with older sensors won’t play it. Pretty disappointing, I know it was for the aesthetic, but at least press it on normal CDs too.”
Experts suggest the issue stems from laser readers in older CD players struggling to detect the clear disc, which lacks the reflective backing found in standard CDs. While modern players with updated sensors may have better luck, many fans, especially those over 40 or 50, still rely on older, high-quality stereo systems that can’t read the disc.
It’s not the first time physical formats have clashed with creative vision, but the backlash here is noticeable, particularly from Lorde’s long-time supporters who enjoy collecting physical albums as keepsakes.
So far, Lorde’s team has not issued an official response or alternative pressing of the album.
With vinyl resurging and CDs still holding nostalgic value, this misstep raises questions about how artists can balance aesthetic innovation with usability, especially when appealing to a multigenerational fanbase.
