Lorde Ends Universal Music Group Contract After 17 Years

Lorde, the New Zealand-born pop star known for her introspective hits, announced on March 18 that she has parted ways with Universal Music Group after nearly two decades under the label. The 29-year-old singer, whose real name is Ella Yelich-O'Connor, shared the news through a series of voice messages sent to fans via WhatsApp, revealing that her recording contract expired at the end of 2025.

In the messages, recorded while she was on tour in Paraguay ahead of a performance at the Asunciónico festival, Lorde expressed a sense of liberation. "I feel a real hunger for newness, and like a new leaf is turning or a blank slate has been presented," she said. "I feel this way because at the end of last year, my deal, my record contract with Universal, came to an end." She noted that she had been tied to the label in some form since signing a development deal at age 12, a decision she now views with hindsight. "I adore them, they're incredible people and I've had an amazing experience with them," Lorde said. "But the truth is that a 12-year-old girl presigned, presold her creative output before she knew what it would be like, and before she knew what she was signing away."