Bibliographic Information:
Title: Te Ao Mārama
Singer-Songwriter: Lorde
Copyright Date: September 10, 2021
Record Label: Universal Music New Zealand Limited
Interest Level: 12+
Genre / Format: Alternative / Music, Streaming
Listening Length: 21 mins (5 songs)
Awards or Honors: 2020 Audie Award - Narration by Author
Singer/Songwriter Background: Lorde is a New Zealand singer, songwriter. She released her first studio album, Pure Heroine, in 2013 to critical acclaim. Her second album, Melodrama, was released in 2016, also to universal acclaim and debuted at number one on Billboard 200, Lorde's first number one in the United States (Caulfield, 2017). Lorde has appeared on Forbe's 2014 edition of 30 Under 30 as one of the most influential young people of her generation (Greenburg, 2014).
Album Description: Lord’s EP Te Ao Mārama includes 5 songs from her album Solar Power (2021) that have been reinterpreted (not directly translated) in the Māori language. Solar Power is Lorde's third studio album. Though she did not have any prior knowledge of the Maori language, Lorde wanted to learn more and worked with Tīmoti Kāretu, a New Zealand academic of the Maori language during the development of this project (Hayden, 2021). While Lorde is known for her electropop, her latest album Solar Power has been classified as her "weed album," infused with elements of psychedelic pop. Interestingly, Te Ao Marama loses much of the psychedelic vibes and takes on a whole new feel.
Critical Evaluation for Books and Non-Print Items: I honestly prefer the sound of Te Ao Mārama over the original English Solar Power; it sounds more relaxing, soothing, and has a more uplifting feel to it. To truly/fully appreciate the EP, the listener should take the time to listen to Solar Power and then compare the lyrics to the Māori translations. This EP should really be listened to in context: regardless of the quality of the music, there are ongoing conversations about whether this album is good or harmful for the Māori community, as Lorde herself is white. These are important, relevant conversations that the listener will likely run into when researching the EP online. In talking about the EP, Lorde states:
“I’m white – however you want to interpret me wanting to engage with our Indigenous culture, that’s
fair enough. I totally accept that, because it is really complicated. This isn’t something where I have
both feet on the ground – I am a little bit out of my depth, and I’m the first to admit that, and I’m
opening myself up to any response to this” (Hayden, 2021).
I highly recommend this EP. Te Ao Mārama sounds beautiful and is a good opportunity for a listener to go beyond the songs and to learn about the Maori language, indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand, and the complex, difficult conversations taking place around the release of this EP.
Creative Use for a Library Program: What's That Tune? (Lorde Edition)
A trivia style game will put two teams of four teens against each other as they try to guess a Lorde song using only a short, somewhat distorted sample. Songs from all of Lorde's known work will be sampled. Wining team gets a Lorde-themed prize!
Speed-Round Book Talk or Short Book Trailer: Te Ao Mārama EP is a reinterpretation of Lorde's Solar Power, entirely in the Maori language and in collaboration with Maori artists. Though the songs are familiar, the the album takes on whole new sound and is a very different, interesting experience.
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation: The album is entirely in the Māori language; some concerned parents may not like that they don't understand what their child is listening to. I would encourage parents to study the lyrics, their translations, and meanings as the message of the album is positive. Check the lyrical videos in the Enhancements section below to start this journey.
Reason for Inclusion: This album is an effective way to expose young listeners to the Maori language. Lorde has a huge following, so listeners are likely to engage with the album. Fans would have already listened to Solar Power, so listening to Te Ao Marama will no doubt lead to comparisons of the lyrics. Through this analysis they will be learn more about the Maori language and indigenous Maori people of New Zealand.
Enhancements