SOTW- “Favorite Daughter” by Lorde

December 2nd, 2025 by Sophia Thornberg

Review written by Mia Ciccarelle ’29

SOTW: “Favorite Daughter” by Lorde

Release Date: June 27th, 2025

RIYL: Lana Del Ray, Florence and The Machine

Review: Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor, aka, Lorde, is a New Zealand born singer songwriter. In 2009, Lorde signed to Universal Music Group at only 13 years old. She began her bright career with her project The Love Club EP in 2013. Featured on this was “Royals”, which became one of the best selling singles of all time. Her young age made these accomplishments even more astonishing. For example, she became the youngest artist to have a number one single on the Billboard charts, since 1987. The same year her EP was released, her first official studio album Pure Heroine also came out, followed by Melodrama in 2017, and Solar Power in 2021. Her fourth album, Virgin came out in June of 2025. She is now travelling with her Ultrasound World Tour.

The song, “Favorite Daughter”, tells the story of Lorde’s relationship with her mother. She does everything that she does with the intention of speaking approval and validation. She says in an interview with Zane Lowe that she feels this way not only with her mom, but also with her audience as a performer. The song represents how no amount of validation is enough to confirm her value to herself. Lorde’s lyricism in the song helps the listener visualize different moments in her life where she is searching for approval, for example, working to earn trophies and medals. In general, all of her songs on this album are very descriptive and visual. I like to listen to this song pretty much whenever, but it is also a great tempo to walk to class to (if you are a fast walker like me).