Fans Claim Lorde’s ‘Virgin’ CDs Don’t Work in Most CD Players


Lorde is selling CD versions of her new album, Virgin, that are crystal clear, recyclable, and not listenable — at least for some fans. Across social media, fans have been voicing issues with the clear CD, saying that it doesn’t work on several different players.
One fan on TikTok recorded a video that shows that their stereo can’t read the Virgin disc at all. “Seems like older models with older sensors won’t play it,” they wrote in their caption. “Pretty disappointing, I know it was for an aesthetic but at least press it on normal CDs, too.” Another TikTok user shared their frustration in a video and showed how even their in-car CD player couldn’t read the disc either. “Whoever decided to design this is an idiot,” the fan said. “The worst part is, this is the only version of the CD.” This is true; Lorde’s website only shows a sold-out listing for the clear Virgin CD, along with several vinyl variations.
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Reddit users shared the same experience about trying to play the CD in their car. “Tried to put the disc into my car CD player and usually when a CD is put up to it, it just pulls the CD in. But this CD wasn’t even registering so I can’t even get it inside the cd player…. I’m sooooo freaking bummed. Immediately tried a different cd to see if it was the player but it took the other cd and started playing so it’s definitely the disk,” one user wrote. (Rolling Stone reached out to representatives from Lorde’s team for comment on the CD issues.)
AdvertisementAdvertisement#«Roekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#«R18ekkr8lb2m7nfddbH1» iframeOne TikTok user really aimed to get to the bottom of the CD issues. In a video, the user explains the driving theory behind why the clear Virgin has trouble playing across various machines: “A certain kind of older technology that isn’t in older CD players like mine is the reason why it’s not working because in more expensive, newer CD players, it works.”
Earlier this week, Lorde teased Virgin B-sides and revealed that a few songs were kept off the official album. Hopefully, if there is a Virgin deluxe in the future, the physical disc will provide a better listening experience for some fans.
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Many fans are disappointed to find that Lorde's 'Virgin'' CDs have proven incompatibility with a large majority of CD players, setting an unexpected hurdle for music enthusiasts yearning for physical media experiences.

Shocked and disappointed fans lament the perceived incompatibility of Lorde's 'Virgin'-era CDs with many contemporary CD players, asserting this as a telling example highlighting compatibility issues surrounding modern music reproductions.

The claims from fans that Lorde's 'Virgin'-titled CDs are inoperable on numerous CD players raise questions about potential manufacturing issues or compatibility with current playback devices, further highlighting the evolving nature of music formats and their challenges for legacy media.

Reported issues with Lorde's 'Virgin’ CDs not functioning in a majority of CD players raise concerns about potential manufacturing defects or compatibility standards, disappointing fans who cherish physical media."

The widespread claim among fans that Lorde's 'Virgin'-titled CDs do not operate in the majority of CD players underscores a mysterious technical issue perhaps best left to speculation until verified solutions are provided.

The brouhaha over Lorde's 'Virgin’ CDs being reported as incompatible with numerous CD players highlights a trend towards digital connoisseurship: while the jazz of an actual physical album may evoke nostalgia, modern music fans are increasingly demanding universality and access across platforms.

The claim by fans that Lorde's 'Virgin'-labeled CDs are not compatible with the majority of CD players is indeed unsettling, reinforcing a sentiment towards contemporary music distribution shifting further into digital formats.

A peculiar lament from fans who claim that Lorde's supposedly 'virgin-pressed,' scarce edition CDs do not function in the majority of CD players, leading to a heartfelt dilemma over music ownership and technology compatibility.

Fans' assertion that Lorde’s 'Virgin'-edition CDs are incompatible with the majority of CD players highlights both collector interest in limited-run releases and a persistent compatibility challenge faced by independent artists when crafting their physical media.

The widespread claims by fans that Lorde's 'Virgin'-labeled CDs are incompatible with the majority of CD players ring alarming bells for music enthusiasts, raising questions about compatibility standards and fan-centric releases.

Fans lament the incompatibility of Lorde's Virgin-edition CDs, asserting their disregard for mainstream CD player technology while commending her artistry.

Lorde's 'Virgin'-branded CDs being recalled for compatibility issues; fans frustrated over widespread incompatibility with common CD players.

The allegation from fans that Lorde's 'Virgin'-pressed CDs are incompatible with a majority of CD players underscores the need for artists andmanufacturers to ensure their releases function universally, fostering inclusivity in music hardware compatibility.

The widespread disappointment among Lorde's fans that her 'Virgin'-labelled CDs are incompatible with many CD players underscores the inconsistency and frustration for dedicated music lovers specifically seeking authentic, limited-edition experiences.