Liputan6.com, Jakarta Fans of singer Lorde have complained that her latest transparent CD cannot be played in a CD player.
Virgin, the latest CD from the New Zealand-born star, was released on Friday (June 26).
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The disc is made of fully transparent plastic, with all components marked as recyclable.
While these transparent CDs are novel and aesthetically pleasing, there have been widespread complaints on social media and fan forums regarding issues with playing the CDs.
Not working on CD's player
These discs often break down in car CD systems and some traditional CD players, such as Sony's Discman.
"I don't buy CDs to look at them, I buy them to play," said Max, a fan who owns a transparent CD.
"It's very frustrating when you buy something and then it doesn't work as it should. I just think it's not well planned," he continued.
But some fans on the forum claimed to have managed to get the CD to work.
"It plays on my PlayStation, so the CD works," said one fan.
Some say that the issue stems from the unique construction of the discs. Standard CDs rely on a reflective aluminum layer to reflect the laser back to the optical catcher.
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Transparent CDs
Transparent CDs use a different technology or reflective layer that may not be universally compatible with all CD players.
The concept behind Lorde's transparent CD
Transparency is a recurring theme with Virgin, Lorde's fourth studio album.
The album's visual identity, as well as the transparent CD, is closely linked to Lorde's desire for 'full transparency' — both in the literal sense and as a metaphor for openness and authenticity.
Story behind album
Lorde describes the album as an attempt to document her femininity, exploring themes of authenticity, innocence, elegance, and androgyny.
The CD album cover shows a pelvic X-ray, believed to be of the singer, with a contraceptive "coil" visible in the image.
Fans also noted that this release marked a shift in Lorde's attitude towards the environment.
Her last album, Solar Power (2021), was deliberately released without a physical CD to reduce waste.
Meanwhile, with this new CD, Lorde said that the transparent CD can still be recycled.
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