Lorde, an independent artist, has decided not to renew her contract with Universal Music Group (UMG) following the conclusion of her recording deal at the age of 12. She has been with UMG since her debut studio album, Pure Heroine, when she was 16 years old and released her debut album in 2013 at 16. She returned in 2017 with another record, Melodrama, followed by Solar Power in 2021 and Virgin in 2025. Despite not ruling out re-signing with another label in the future, Lorde is taking this moment to familiarize herself with the unfamiliarness of her new role. She also plans to study chess, study to get her driver's license, and work out of an office space.