Lorde’s bold decision to release her new album Virgin on an eco-friendly transparent CD has sparked backlash among fans struggling to actually play the disc. The special edition, promoted as fully recyclable and visually striking, has become a collector’s item—but for many, it’s one they can’t listen to.
Fans across Reddit and TikTok are reporting that the translucent disc isn’t compatible with a wide range of CD players, particularly older models and car stereos. Some devices simply reject the disc, while others produce distorted audio or fail to read it entirely.
“I love the look of it, but it won’t work in my car or home stereo,” one frustrated fan shared on Reddit. “Even ripping it on my computer caused weird audio glitches.”
The disc, currently sold out on Lorde’s webstore, was the only physical CD version available, following the artist’s previous decision to skip CDs altogether for Solar Power over environmental concerns.
While fans appreciate the sustainability and aesthetic, many are calling for a standard CD pressing to accompany future releases. As of now, Lorde has yet to respond to the complaints, leaving some fans with a sleek, unplayable piece of plastic.
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