"Fallen Fruit" is the fifth track and the fourth single from Lorde's third studio album Solar Power. It was released on August 20, 2021 through Universal Music New Zealand.
Background[]
"Fallen Fruit" is a folk song, featuring electronic drums.[1] The tracklist for Solar Power was revealed on June 21, 2021, with the song serving as the album's fifth track.[2] Laura Snapes of The Guardian described "Fallen Fruit" as a protest song, calling it a "crushed flower-power lament for the spoiled Eden her generation inherited".[3] The song is written in the key of F-sharp major and has a tempo of 62 beats per minute. Lorde's vocals range from F#3 to B4.[4]
The song features backing vocals from Phoebe Bridgers, Clairo, Marlon Williams, and Lawrence Arabia.[5]
Critical reception[]
In NME, Rhian Daly wrote that "Fallen Fruit" takes on the generations that came before us, condemning them, over unsettling folk music", and cited the track's usage of Mellotron and Wurlitzer as sounding "like they've been pulled from the soil rather than coursing with electricity". [6] A Clash review called the song "somewhere between a prayer and a eulogy", remarking that "the stripped harmony-heavy sounds more like a Baez protest song or a wartime anthem than a Lorde track". The review suggested that "Fallen Fruit" addressed fame, saying that "its haunting lyrics look directly at fame", and calling it a hymn for Lorde's "famous friends". [7]
Matt Mitchell of Paste labelled the song Lorde's "op-ed about climate change", stating that Lorde's vision of the world "becomes clear" with the line "but how can I love what I know I am gonna lose", writing that "she's seen the shitshow of the world and just wants to peace out, smoke a bowl and walk hand-in-hand with her girlfriends through psychedelic gardens". [8] Slant writer Sal Cinquemani called "Fallen Fruit" the "centerpiece" of Solar Power, asserting that the song "addresses the climate crisis with an almost whimsical sense of wonder, as Lorde softly chastises past generations for allowing such destruction". [9]
A Pitchfork review from Anna Gaca called "Fallen Fruit" one of two "incantatory interludes" on Solar Power that are "inspired, if we can call it that, by pending environmental collapse", with the other track being "Leader of a New Regime". [10] In Beats Per Minute, Rob Hakimian said that the song was "passing comment on our contributions to global warming", calling it "jaunty".[11] Writing for The Skinny, Joe Goggins stated that "Fallen Fruit" was "quietly undulating" and "a stark elegy for the planet before the climate crisis".[12]
Chart performance[]
In New Zealand, the song peaked at number 8 on the Top 20 NZ Singles chart (Songs by New Zealand artists) and number 31 on the US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.
Live performances[]
Lorde debuted "Fallen Fruit" on August 20, 2021, when she appeared on Good Morning America.[13][14] The performance took place at SummerStage in Central Park, New York City, which Good Morning America stated was the first to occur at that venue in two years.[13]
Hua Pirau / Fallen Fruit[]
"Hua Pirau / Fallen Fruit" is a song recorded by New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde. It is the fifth track on her EP Te Ao Mārama and is performed entirely in the Māori language. The song was translated into Māori by Tīmoti Kāretu, and features vocals from Hinewehi Mohi, Hēmi Kelly, Bic Runga, and Hana Mereraiha.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
To the ones who came before us
All the golden ones who were lifted on a wing
We had no idea the dreams we had were far too big
Far too big
[Verse 2]
And we will walk together (We will walk)
Psychedelic garlands in our hair
Through the halls of splendor where the apple trees all grew
You'll leave us dancing on the fallen fruit
[Chorus]
The fallen fruit
The fallen fruit (Ooh)
The fallen fruit
[Bridge]
From the Nissan to the Phantom to the plane
We'll disappear in the cover of the rain
Took the great minds and the vapers
And a pocketful of seed
It's time for us to leave
[Verse 3]
And we will walk together (We will walk)
Psychedelic garlands in our hair
But how can I love what I know I am gonna lose?
Don't make me choose
[Chorus]
The fallen fruit
The fallen fruit
The fallen fruit
[Verse 1/Tahi Whiti: Hinewehi Mohi]
Kei ngā kaipara i te ara
Te hunga o te whenua taurikura
Tē aro i kaha rawa te moemoeā
I kaha rawa
[Verse 2/Rua Whiti: Hinewehi Mohi & Lorde, Both]
Ka hīkoi (Ka hīkoi) Tahi tātou
Tauri pua ki ō tātou pane
I te taiao ahurei, i tipu ai te rākau miro
Mahue mai ana ko ngā hua pirau
[Chorus/Korihi: Hinewehi Mohi]
Auē!
Auē!
Auē!
Auē!
[Bridge/Whakamatuatanga: Hinewehi Mohi & Lorde]
Mai i te papa ki te rangi rere ai
Honea ana nā te makerewhatu
Ihumanea mai pongipongi mai
Kei te tūmanako rā
Ka tanu ki wāhi kē
[Outro/Whakamutunga: Hinewehi Mohi, Lorde, Both & (Hēmi Kelly & Hana Mereraiha)]
(Takatakahia, takatakahia)
Ka hīkoi (Ka hīkoi) Tahi tātou
(Te ara i takoto i te rau tangata)
(Ki ōku taumata okiokinga)
Tauri pua ki ō tātou pane
(Nau mai, nau ake)
(Takahia te ara)
(Whano ki tua)
Ka pēhea te aroha i te mea ka ngaro?
(Takatakahia, takatakahia, takatakahia)
Music video[]
| Music video | Information | |
|---|---|---|
 |
Premiere | November 3, 2021 |
| Filmed | Cactus Bay on Waiheke Island, New Zealand | |
| Director | Joel Kefali & Lorde | |
| Producer | Andrew McLean | |
| Production co | Good Oil | |
| Exec. producer | ||
| Editor | Theo Mercado | |
| Choreographer | ||
| Length | 4:05 | |
Background[]
A music video for "Fallen Fruit" was released on November 3, 2021, set in the same location as the video for "Solar Power" and directed by Joel Kefali and Lorde.[15][16][17] Writing of the connection between the two videos, Lorde said that "in the 'Solar Power' video, you were introduced to the island as a lush paradise—glistening water, blue skies, not a grain of sand out of place (barring that pesky beach trash...). Cut to: humans doing as they do, getting greedy, treating the land with disrespect and stripping it of its beauty".[16][17]
Synopsis[]
Lorde walks among this beach community in daylight, watching daily life unfold. As night drapes the scene, fire breaks out—trees burn, debris litters the sand, and the paradise from “Solar Power” collapses into ruin. At the end, Lorde, drenched in destruction, is handed a water bottle, steps into a vehicle, and silently leaves the burning island behind.
Reception[]
For Uproxx, Carolyn Droke said that the video "explores the repercussions of humans' obsession with consumption", noting how, unlike the "Solar Power" video which was set in the day, the "Fallen Fruit" video "constantly flips from daytime to nighttime, when everything has been destroyed and set on fire".[16] Billboard writer Heran Mamo stated that "the video poignantly reminds us of the fragility of life on Earth, with the Garden of Eden metaphor referenced in the song's title leading to Lorde's main point that our greatest sin would be to leave our home uninhabitable for generations to come after us".[17]
Personnel[]
Credits adapted from Tidal.[18]
- Jack Antonoff – songwriting, production, 12-string acoustic guitar, bass, electric 6-string guitar, keyboards, Mellotron, percussion, piano, Wurlitzer electronic piano, mixing, programming
- Phoebe Bridgers – background vocals
- Clairo – background vocals
- Lawrence Arabia – background vocals
- Marlon Williams – background vocals
- Evan Smith – flute, saxophone
- Malay – bass
- Laura Sisk – mixing
- Chris Gehringer – mastering
- Will Quinnell – mastering
References[]
- ↑ https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/08/lorde-solar-power-review/619808/
- ↑ https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/lorde-reveals-release-date-and-tracklist-for-new-album-solar-power-2974545
- ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jun/25/lorde-im-only-just-scratching-the-surface-of-my-powers
- ↑ https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0240051
- ↑ https://listen.tidal.com/album/194384501/credits
- ↑ https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/lorde-solar-power-review-3023597
- ↑ https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/lorde-solar-power
- ↑ https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/lorde/solar-power-album-review/
- ↑ https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/lorde-solar-power-album-review/
- ↑ https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/lorde-solar-power/
- ↑ https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-lorde-solar-power/
- ↑ https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/reviews/albums/lorde-solar-power
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/watch-lorde-perform-california-and-fallen-fruit-for-the-first-time-3025690
- ↑ https://uproxx.com/pop/lorde-california-fallen-fruit-good-morning-america/
- ↑ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lorde-fallen-fruit-music-video-1252132/
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 https://uproxx.com/pop/lorde-fallen-fruit-video/
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/9654450/lorde-fallen-fruit-music-video
- ↑ https://listen.tidal.com/album/194384501/credits
[]
 | |
|---|---|
| Discography | |
| Performing Artist(s) | Lorde • Clairo • Phoebe Bridgers • Robyn |
| Official Release(s) | Solar Power • Solar Power (Deluxe) |
| Album Track Listing | "The Path" • "Solar Power" • "California" • "Stoned at the Nail Salon" • "Fallen Fruit" • "Secrets from a Girl (Who's Seen It All)" • "The Man with the Axe" • "Dominoes" • "Big Star" • "Leader of a New Regime" • "Mood Ring" • "Oceanic Feeling" |
| Deluxe Tracks | "Helen of Troy" • "Hold No Grudge" |
| Live Tour | Solar Power Tour |
| Extras | Te Ao Mārama |
| Other Eras | |
| Pure Heroine • Melodrama • Solar Power • Virgin | |