Lorde’s Clear ‘Virgin’ CD Stumbles on Legacy Players

Lorde’s fourth album, “Virgin,” released on 27 June, is available only as a special-edition CD pressed on fully recyclable transparent plastic. The unconventional design omits the metallic layer that standard discs use to reflect a player’s laser. Fans report that the clear disc fails to load on many older CD players, car stereos and portable devices, though newer machines with more sensitive sensors can read it. The album has sold out on Lorde’s website, leaving buyers without an alternative physical format. Neither Lorde nor her label, Universal Music Group, has commented on the playback issues. The glitch revives questions about eco-friendly packaging choices as physical music sales rebound, with French CD revenue alone reaching €91 million in 2024.