Lorde is preparing to release her highly anticipated new album Virgin, but fans may notice the absence of one familiar name—Jack Antonoff.
The New Zealand singer-songwriter, known for her emotionally resonant music and genre-bending artistry, recently explained why her long-time collaborator and rumored ex-boyfriend is not involved in her latest project.
Speaking to Rolling Stone, Lorde described Antonoff as a “positive, supportive collaborator” who played an instrumental role in shaping her previous sound. Together, Lorde and Antonoff crafted hits such as “Green Light,” “Liability,” “Supercut,” and “Perfect Places” from the critically acclaimed album Melodrama. Their creative partnership extended to Solar Power, where Antonoff contributed to tracks like “Secrets From a Girl (Who’s Seen It All)” and “Leader of a New Regime.”
Despite this strong history, Lorde explained that the decision to exclude Antonoff from Virgin came from her intuitive creative process. “I’m very vibes-based,” she shared. “I just have to trust when my intuition says to keep moving.” This instinct led her to explore new musical terrain with different collaborators.
For Virgin, Lorde joined forces with producer Jim-E Stack, known for his work with Bon Iver and Danielle Haim. The new direction signals Lorde’s continued evolution as an artist, branching out from the sound she developed with Antonoff over two major albums. However, she emphasized that the absence of Antonoff is not due to any fallout or creative disagreement.
In fact, Lorde has publicly praised Antonoff on multiple occasions. In an earlier interview with The New York Times, she noted, “No one who’s in a job that isn’t my job has a relationship like the one I have with Jack. He is like a partner to me.” Their bond, both personal and professional, has left a lasting impression on her career, and fans still appreciate the magic the Lorde-Antonoff duo once created.
With Virgin set to release on June 27th, anticipation continues to grow. While Antonoff may not appear on this album, his influence on Lorde’s artistic journey is undeniable—and fans remain eager to hear where her intuition has taken her next.