@Lorde has announced she is now a fully independent artist after her contract with Universal Music Group—which she first signed at 12 years old—came to an end in December.⁠ ⁠ In a series of voice memos sent to fans, she spoke candidly about her experience under the label and the circumstances under which she entered the music industry: "I adore them, they’re incredible people, and I have had an amazing experience with them. The truth is that a 12-year-old girl pre-signed and pre-sold her creative output before she knew what it would be like and before she knew what she was signing away."⁠ ⁠ Lorde hasn't ruled out signing again, saying it "could well be with Universal," but says she "needed to take a second to have nothing being bought or sold that comes from [her]." She'll spend the rest of 2026 on the road finishing her 'Ultrasound' world tour.⁠ ⁠ __⁠ 📸 (slide 1) by Mark Seliger via @New York Magazine #lorde #umg #independentartist #ultrasoundtour