Lorde is now an independent artist. The New Zealand singer-songwriter — born Ella Yelich-O'Connor — revealed in March 2026 that her contract with Universal Music Group had expired in late 2025, ending a relationship that began when she was 12 years old and had lasted 17 years. She shared the news through a series of voice notes sent directly to her fan community, a characteristically intimate mode of communication for an artist who has always prioritized direct connection with her audience over traditional press cycles.
The announcement was reported widely, including by Variety and Rolling Stone, both of which noted the significance of a major-label artist of Lorde's stature — a three-time Grammy winner whose debut single "Royals" reached number one in 10 countries — choosing independence over re-signing.
What Lorde Said
"I'm sure I'll have a deal again, could well be with Universal, but I knew that I needed to take a second to have nothing being bought or sold that comes from me," Lorde said in the voice notes, per reporting from Kiss 95.1 and Nylon. She described the team at Universal as "incredible people" whom she "adores," but added a line that has resonated across the music industry and beyond: "The truth is that a 12-year-old girl pre-sold her creative output before she knew what it would be like and before she knew what she was signing away."
The statement is notable both for its honesty and for what it implies about the standard practices of the music industry — practices that have been under increasing scrutiny as artists from Taylor Swift to Prince have publicly contested the terms under which they signed early career deals.
Lorde's Career Under Universal
Lorde signed her first development deal with UMG in 2009 at age 12, under the eye of A&R executive Scott Maclachlan in New Zealand. Her debut single "Royals" was released in 2013 when she was 16 and reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. Her debut album Pure Heroine was followed by Melodrama (2017) — widely considered one of the finest pop albums of its decade — and Solar Power (2021). Her most recent release, Virgin, arrived in June 2025 and was her final release under the UMG agreement.
"A 12-year-old girl pre-sold her creative output before she knew what it would be like and before she knew what she was signing away."— Lorde, via fan voice notes, March 2026
What Independence Means for Lorde
Going independent gives Lorde full ownership and control of any new recordings she makes — a status that is increasingly desirable among artists who have watched peers like Taylor Swift successfully reclaim their masters or renegotiate on dramatically better terms. She has indicated openness to signing a new deal in the future, suggesting that her independence may be a strategic pause rather than a permanent state. Per Hit Channel, she is reportedly still on tour and has not yet announced new music.
What's Next
No new music or label deal has been announced as of publication. Lorde's existing catalog remains available on all streaming platforms. Follow LoudDrip for updates on Lorde and the broader independent music landscape.
