Supercut (song)

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"Supercut"
Song by Lorde
from the album Melodrama
Studio
Genre
Length4:38
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Melodrama track listing
12 tracks
  1. "Green Light"
  2. "Sober"
  3. "Homemade Dynamite"
  4. "The Louvre"
  5. "Liability
  6. "Hard Feelings/Loveless"
  7. "Sober II (Melodrama)
  8. "Writer in the Dark"
  9. "Supercut"
  10. "Liability (Reprise)"
  11. "Perfect Places"
Japan bonus track
  1. "Green Light" (Chromeo remix)
Spotify bonus track
  1. "Homemade Dynamite" (Remix)

"Supercut" is a song by New Zealand singer-songwriter Lorde from her second album, Melodrama (2017). Lorde co-wrote the track with Jack Antonoff, both of whom also co-produced it with Joel Little, with additional production from Frank Dukes, Jean-Benoît Dunckel and Malay. It is a synth-pop, electropop, electronic, and disco song that draws influence from other genres, such as dance, electro house, electronica and new wave music. The lyrics are about Lorde reviewing her most joyful memories from a previous relationship and realising the illusion is no longer present.

Music critics praised the song, with many comparing its production to the works of American musician Bruce Springsteen and Swedish singer Robyn. The track's name, supercut, is a word coined by Andy Baio and is defined as a compilation of short video clips of the same type of action. "Supercut" was included in the soundtrack of the 2019 Netflix film Someone Great. It was one of five songs used as part of a re-imagined Vevo series at the Electric Lady Studios, where she recorded most of her album. "Supercut" was also part of the set list for the Melodrama World Tour (2017–2018).

Background

In an interview with

gastro pub in the West Village area of Lower Manhattan, after midnight.[1] Despite not being credited as a recording location on the song's liner notes, the singer recorded the track at Jungle City. During takes, Lorde placed a microphone in the corner of the studio, stood 3 m (10 ft) away from it, and recorded her verses.[1] She compared the end result to an answering machine or voice note. The pair constructed most of the track using drums and then "filled in the blanks" with a piano. Lorde called "Supercut" a "sister song" to "Ribs" from her 2013 debut album Pure Heroine.[1]

Recording and composition

Jack Antonoff (pictured in 2012) co-wrote and co-produced "Supercut".

Lorde recorded "Supercut" in three locations around the United States. She began recording at Electric Lady Studios in Greenwich Village, New York City, with assistance from Barry McCready and Jack Antonoff. Antonoff also worked with Lorde at Rough Customer Studio in Brooklyn Heights, New York. Recording concluded at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California, with assistance from Ben Sedano and Greg Eliason. Serban Ghenea mixed the song at MixStar Studios with assistance from engineer John Hanes. The track was mastered by Randy Merrill at Sterling Sound in New York. Other personnel include Joel Little, as well as Frank Dukes, Jean-Benoît Dunckel, Malay, who provided additional production to the song.[2]

"Supercut" is composed in the

beats per minute. Lorde's vocals span a range of A3 to E5 and its chord progression follows a basic sequence of C–Fsus2–Am-F.[3] It is a synth-pop, electropop, electronic, and disco song,[4] which has influences of other genres such as dance,[5] electro house,[6] electronica,[7] and new wave music.[8] The track's lyrics recall Lorde's highlights from a previous relationship.[9] "Supercut" features an interpolation of the piano melody from her 2017 single, "Green Light".[10] According to Ava Muir of Exclaim!, the track is driven by a "hauntingly infectious pulse".[11] In an analysis of the album, Lindsay Zoladz from The Ringer said the song is associated in popular culture with the "relationship’s 'perfect' moments captured in cropped, filtered Instagrams that we flick through after they [are] over".[12]

Reception

"Supercut" received critical acclaim from

Idolator wrote that the track delivered "one of the most gracefully crafted lyrics on the album", and called it a "joyful release that offers a sliver of hope for new beginnings".[15] Writing for The Independent, Roisin O'Connor praised the song's unusual "quirks" in its production, which help "expose the inner workings of her music". O'Connor also said Lorde "respects pop for what it is and what it is capable of".[16] Chris Willman of Variety called it the album's "mini masterpiece".[10]

The track appeared in several music critics' year-end lists.

Vulture ranked it at number four on their year-end list. Dee Lockett from the publication stated that the track was a "misshapen puzzle whose beauty is greater for its flaws."[20] Andy Baio, the person who coined the term, praised Lorde for using it in her song.[21] "Supercut" was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for exceeding 35,000 shipments.[22]

Billboard named "Supercut" as the third greatest breakup song of all time,[23] while Insider ranked the song at number 28 on their list of the 50 Best Breakup Songs of the 21st Century.[24]

Live performances and other usage

Lorde first performed "Supercut", along with two other tracks, at the Bowery Auditorium in New York City on the night of the singer's Melodrama album release party.

1Live, which was described as "breathtaking" and emotional.[26] "Supercut" was one of five songs Lorde performed as part of a re-imagined Vevo series at the Electric Lady Studios where she recorded most of her album.[27] For the Melodrama World Tour (2017–18), Lorde performed "Supercut" after her last costume change and a video interlude.[28] It was the first track she performed from the prelude of the show's third and final segment, which was composed of five songs.[29]

Norwegian

El-P remix

"Supercut" (El-P remix)
Remix by Lorde featuring Run the Jewels
Released28 February 2018
GenreTrip hop
Length3:36
LabelUniversal
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)El-P

Lorde posted a tweet on 27 February 2018 that a "small surprise" would be sent to fans who subscribed to her newsletter. The following day, a remix of the song produced by El-P of the hip hop group Run the Jewels, was released via email. Talking about the remix, Lorde said, "I love it. So much. My little nerd heart is full."[35] Initially made available for free download to commemorate the arrival of her North American tour,[36] the remix was released to streaming services worldwide on 9 March 2018.[37]

The El-P remix of "Supercut" was described as a

Pigeons and Planes lauded Mike and El-P's "high-energy" verses, stating that the remix "was made with large arenas in mind."[36] It charted at number nine on the New Zealand Heatseekers chart.[43]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Melodrama.[44]

Recording and management

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[22] Gold 35,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[45] Silver 200,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Oliver, Henry (19 June 2017). "The Spinoff Exclusive: Lorde explains the backstory behind every song on her new album". The Spinoff. Archived from the original on 23 December 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  2. ^ Melodrama (CD). Lorde. United States: Lava/Republic Records. 2017. B0026615-02.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ^ "Lorde "Supercut" Sheet Music in C Major (transposable)". Musicnotes.com. Archived from the original on 28 December 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  4. ^ a b Cinquemani, Sal (15 June 2017). "Lorde: Melodrama". Slant. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
    Petridis, Alexis (16 June 2017). "Lorde: Melodrama review – a cocky challenge to her pop rivals". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 16 June 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
    Wood, Michael (16 June 2017). "Lorde is stronger than she seems on 'Melodrama'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 26 August 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
    Myers, Owen (16 June 2017). "In a World of Playlists, Lorde's Melodrama Commands Your Attention". The Fader. Archived from the original on 18 September 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  5. ^ Kot, Greg (16 June 2017). "Review: Lorde and the 'Melodrama' of innocence lost". The Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on 16 June 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
    G. Damas, Aline (30 June 2017). "Lorde's Highly-Anticipated 'Melodrama' Encapsulates the Pangs of Love". The Harvard Crimson. Archived from the original on 12 December 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  6. ^ Reily, Emily (26 June 2017). "Lorde: Melodrama Review". Paste. Archived from the original on 28 December 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  7. ^ Marvilli, Joe (21 June 2017). "Lorde: Melodrama - Music Review". No Ripcord. Archived from the original on 28 December 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
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  17. ^ DeVille, Chris (14 December 2017). "The Top 40 Pop Songs of 2017". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
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  19. ^ NME Staff (27 November 2017). "NME's Tracks of the Year 2017". NME. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
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  21. ^ Tiffany, Kaitlyn (16 June 2017). "Andy Baio on sort of, kind of inspiring a Lorde song". The Verge. Archived from the original on 28 December 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  22. ^ a b "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  23. ^ Hannah, Dailey (14 February 2023). "Top 55 Breakup Songs of All Time". Billboard. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
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  34. Vulture
    . Retrieved 6 November 2021.
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  36. ^ a b Skelton, Eric (28 February 2018). "Run The Jewels Give Lorde's "Supercut" a Thundering Facelift". Pigeons and Planes. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  37. ^ "Supercut (El-P Remix) - Single by Lorde". Spotify. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
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    "Lorde teams up with Run The Jewels for new 'Supecut' remix". DIY. 1 March 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
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