# Buzzcut Season

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"**Buzzcut Season**" is a song by New Zealand singer-songwriter [Lorde](/source/Lorde), taken from her debut studio album, *[Pure Heroine](/source/Pure_Heroine)* (2013). It was released on 23 September 2013 by [Universal Music Group](/source/Universal_Music_Group) (UMG) as a [promotional single](/source/Promotional_recording) from the album. Written by Lorde and [Joel Little](/source/Joel_Little), "Buzzcut Season" is an [electropop](/source/Electropop) song that features elements from [tropical music](/source/Tropical_music) and discusses the "ridiculousness of modern life."[1]

Upon its release, "Buzzcut Season" was met with positive reviews from [music critics](/source/Music_journalism), who praised its production and Lorde's vocal delivery on the track. The song reached number twenty-nine on the US *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))* [Hot Rock Songs](/source/Hot_Rock_Songs) and number thirty-eight on the [ARIA Streaming Tracks](/source/ARIA_Charts). Lorde performed "Buzzcut Season" during a number of shows, including the *[Late Show with David Letterman](/source/Late_Show_with_David_Letterman)*. The song was also performed on the [Pure Heroine](/source/Pure_Heroine_Tour) (2013-14), [Melodrama](/source/Melodrama_World_Tour) (2017-18), [Solar Power](/source/Solar_Power_Tour) (2022-23), and [Ultrasound](/source/Ultrasound_World_Tour) (2025-26) concert tours.

## Background and composition

"Buzzcut Season" was written by Lorde (credited under her birth-name Ella Yelich-O'Connor) and [Joel Little](/source/Joel_Little), and was produced and mixed by Little.[2] Similar to other songs from the album *Pure Heroine*,[3] "Buzzcut Season" was recorded at Golden Age Studios in [Auckland](/source/Auckland).[2] On 23 September 2013, the track was released as a [digital download](/source/Music_download) [promotional single](/source/Promotional_recording) on [iTunes Stores](/source/ITunes_Store) by [Universal Music New Zealand](/source/Universal_Music_New_Zealand).[4]

"Buzzcut Season" is an [electropop](/source/Electropop)[5] song that draws inspirations from [tropical music](/source/Tropical_music),[6] and features [percussion](/source/Percussion) snaps and [xylophone](/source/Xylophone) in its instrumentation.[6] Lyrically, the song talks about the "ridiculousness of modern life."[1] Sammy Maine from the website [Drowned in Sound](/source/Drowned_in_Sound) commented that the song was a "heartbreaking comment on our war-driven way of life."[7] She pointed out the lyrics "Explosions on TV and all the girls with heads inside a dream" against [M.I.A.](/source/M.I.A._(artist))'s [pop](/source/Pop_music)-[reggae](/source/Reggae_music) musical style.[7] Gaby Whitehill from [Gigwise](/source/Gigwise) website called the song a "melancholy affair" and praised the "epic piano laden beat combined with the 16-year-old's haunting vocals."[8]

## Reception and promotion

Jason Lipshutz from *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))* praised the song's production and Lorde's vocal delivery.[9] Writer Michelle Pitiris for *Vulture* chose "Buzzcut Season" as a highlight from *Pure Heroine* and compared its sound to French electronic duo [Air](/source/Air_(French_band)).[10] [Idolator](/source/Idolator_(website)) editor Mike Wass labelled it "another twinkling postcard from the streets of Auckland" but felt that it failed to "capture the attention" like "400 Lux" or "[Tennis Court](/source/Tennis_Court_(song))", two other songs from the album.[11] "Buzzcut Season" spent five weeks on the Australian [ARIA Streaming Tracks](/source/ARIA_Charts) chart, peaking at number thirty-eight.[12] It also reached number 29 on the US [Hot Rock Songs](/source/Hot_Rock_Songs).[13] In New Zealand, "Buzzcut Season" peaked at number 18 on the [New Zealand National Singles](/source/Recorded_Music_NZ) chart, which lists the best-performing singles by New Zealand artists in the country.[14]

On 3 October 2013, the singer held a concert at the Warsaw Venue in Brooklyn and performed the song among other tracks from the album.[15] On 12 October 2013, Lorde performed "Buzzcut Season" in Studio Q of [CBC](/source/Canadian_Broadcasting_Company).[16] On 13 November 2013, Lorde performed several songs from *Pure Heroine* during the *[Late Show with David Letterman](/source/Late_Show_with_David_Letterman)* to promote the album, including "Buzzcut Season".[17] According to *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*, the "sparkly-dressed" and "big-haired" singer performed only backed by a drummer and a keyboard player.[18]

The track was included in the set lists for the [Pure Heroine](/source/Pure_Heroine_Tour) (2013-14),[19] [Melodrama](/source/Melodrama_World_Tour) (2017-18),[20] [Solar Power](/source/Solar_Power_Tour) (2022-23),[21] and [Ultrasound](/source/Ultrasound_World_Tour) (2025-26)[22] concert tours.

## In popular culture

Singers [Troye Sivan](/source/Troye_Sivan) and [Lauv](/source/Lauv) reference the title of the song on their track "[I'm So Tired...](/source/I'm_So_Tired...)" (2019).[23] Sivan stated in an interview with *[Paper](/source/Paper_(magazine))* that he and Lauv decided to include "Buzzcut Season" into the song's lyrics after having a discussion in his backyard about melancholic songs that uplifted the pair's emotions.[24]

## Track listing

**Digital download[4]**

1. "Buzzcut Season" – 4:06

## Charts

### Weekly charts

Chart (2013) Peak position Australian Streaming Tracks (ARIA)[12] 38 New Zealand National Singles (Recorded Music NZ)[14] 18 UK Streaming (Official Streaming Chart)[25] 72 US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[13] 29

### Year-end charts

Chart (2014) Position US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[26] 93

## References

1. Farrier, David (2013-09-27). ["Pure Heroine: Track-by-track Review"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130928210731/http://www.3news.co.nz/Lorde---Pure-Heroine-track-by-track-review/tabid/418/articleID/314906/Default.aspx). [3News](/source/3News). Archived from [the original](http://www.3news.co.nz/Lorde---Pure-Heroine-track-by-track-review/tabid/418/articleID/314906/Default.aspx) on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 2014-01-09.

1. *Pure Heroine* (inlay cover). [Universal Music Group](/source/Universal_Music_Group). 2013.

1. Jenkin, Lydia (2013-09-19). ["Joel Little: Doing the Lorde's work"](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11126667). *[New Zealand Herald](/source/New_Zealand_Herald)*. Retrieved 2013-12-30.

1. ["Buzzcut Season – Single"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131009010116/https://itunes.apple.com/sg/album/buzzcut-season-single/id710452539). Singapore: iTunes Store. Archived from [the original](https://itunes.apple.com/sg/album/buzzcut-season-single/id710452539) on 9 October 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2013.

1. ["Lorde, 'Pure Heroine': Track-By-Track Review"](http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/5733177/lorde-pure-heroine-track-by-track-review). Billboard. Retrieved 20 March 2017.

1. Cospey, Robert (2013-10-22). ["Lorde: 'Pure Heroine' album review: 'A startlingly confident debut'"](http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/review/a525574/lorde-pure-heroine-album-review-a-startlingly-confident-debut.html). [Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy). Retrieved 2014-01-09.

1. Maine, Sammy (2013-10-24). ["Album Review: Lorde – Pure Heroine"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140717063916/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/17931/reviews/4147053). [Drowned in Sound](/source/Drowned_in_Sound). Archived from [the original](http://drownedinsound.com/releases/17931/reviews/4147053) on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 2014-01-09.

1. Whitehill, Gaby (2013-09-27). ["Lorde new track 'Buzzcut Season' from Pure Heroine"](http://www.gigwise.com/photos/84536/listen-lorde-new-track-buzzcut-season-from-pure-heroine). [Gigwise](/source/Gigwise). Retrieved 2014-01-09.

1. Lipshutz, Jason. ["Lorde: 'Pure Heroine' Track-By-Track Review"](http://www.billboard.com/articles/review/5733177/lorde-pure-heroine-track-by-track-review). *Billboard*. Retrieved 2014-01-09.

1. Pitiris, Michelle (2013-10-01). ["Album Review: Lorde – 'Pure Heroine'"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140109063426/http://vulturemagazine.com.au/album-review-lorde-pure-heroine/). *Vulture Australia*. Archived from [the original](http://vulturemagazine.com.au/album-review-lorde-pure-heroine/) on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 2014-01-09.

1. Wass, Mike (2013-09-30). ["Lorde's 'Pure Heroine': Album Review"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140331190313/http://www.idolator.com/7486757/lordes-pure-heroine-album-review). [Idolator](/source/Idolator_(website)). Archived from [the original](http://www.idolator.com/7486757/lordes-pure-heroine-album-review) on 31 March 2014. Retrieved 2014-01-09.

1. ["The ARIA Report"](https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20131123130000/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20131124-0000/Issue%201236.pdf). [Australian Recording Industry Association](/source/Australian_Recording_Industry_Association). 2013-12-04. Archived from [the original](http://www.aria.com.au/Issue%201236.pdf) on 2013-11-23. Retrieved 2014-01-09.

1. ["Lorde: Chart history"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170630195935/http://www.billboard.com/artist/1553855/Lorde/chart?f=902). *Billboard*. Archived from [the original](http://www.billboard.com/artist/1553855/lorde/chart?f=902) on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 2014-01-09.

1. ["Top 20 New Zealand Singles Chart"](https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/aotearoa-singles/2013-10-04). [Recorded Music NZ](/source/Recorded_Music_NZ). Retrieved 2014-01-13.

1. Kamer, Foster (2013-10-04). ["Live Review: Lorde Brings Brooklyn More Than a Chart-Topper"](http://www.complex.com/music/2013/10/lorde-concert-review-brooklyn-warsaw). *[Complex](/source/Complex_(magazine))*. Retrieved 2014-01-02.

1. ["Lorde performs "Buzzcut Season" in Studio Q"](http://www.cbc.ca/player/Shows/Shows/Q+with+Jian+Ghomeshi/ID/2411631517/). [Canadian Broadcasting Company](/source/Canadian_Broadcasting_Company). 2013-10-12. Retrieved 2014-01-09.

1. Weinstein, Max (2013-11-13). ["Lorde Turns Heads With Her 'Letterman' Performance"](http://www.vibe.com/article/lorde-turns-heads-her-letterman-performance). *[Vibe](/source/Vibe_(magazine))*. Retrieved 2014-01-02.

1. Grow, Kory (2013-11-13). ["Lorde Is Blissful During Six-Song 'Live on Letterman' Set"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140106185630/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/lorde-is-blissful-during-six-song-live-on-letterman-set-20131113). *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)*. Archived from [the original](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/lorde-is-blissful-during-six-song-live-on-letterman-set-20131113) on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 2014-01-09.

1. Payne, Chris (15 September 2014). ["Lorde Dazzles at New York City’s Pier 97, Covers Kanye West & Bon Iver"](https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/lorde-live-review-new-york-city-pier-97-majical-cloudz-kanye-west-video-6251528/). *Billboard*. Retrieved 3 May 2026.

1. Levy, Piet (2 March 2018). ["Lorde proves she's one of pop's boldest stars in Milwaukee concert, kicking off new tour"](https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/03/02/review-lorde-proves-shes-one-our-boldest-living-pop-stars-milwaukee-tour-kickoff/387988002/). *Milwaukee Journal Sentinel*. Retrieved 3 May 2026.

1. DeLuca, Dan (21 April 2022). ["Review and setlist: Lorde at the Met"](https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/lorde-met-philadelphia-concert-setlist-review-20220420.html). *Inquirer*. Retrieved 3 May 2026.

1. Dailey, Hannah (18 September 2025). ["Lorde’s Ultrasound World Tour Setlist: Every Song From the First Show"](https://www.billboard.com/lists/lorde-setlist-ultrasound-world-tour-songs-night-1/hammer-2/). *Billboard*. Retrieved 3 May 2026.

1. Daly, Rhian (24 January 2019). ["Listen to Lauv and Troye Sivan's Lorde and Coldplay-referencing collaboration 'I'm So Tired…'"](https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-lauv-troye-sivan-lorde-coldplay-referencing-collaboration-im-so-tired-2438021). *NME*. Retrieved 19 May 2019.

1. Goldfine, Jael (7 February 2019). ["Troye Sivan and Lauv on Their New Anti-Love Song"](http://www.papermag.com/troye-sivan-lauv-interview-2628303197.html?rebelltitem=17#rebelltitem17). *Paper*. Retrieved 19 May 2019.

1. Lane, Daniel (2013-11-12). ["Lorde knocks OneRepublic off the top of the Official Streaming Chart"](http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/lorde-knocks-onerepublic-off-the-top-of-the-official-streaming-chart-2605/). [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved 2014-01-12.

1. ["Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2014"](http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2014/hot-rock-songs). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved 21 December 2014.

## External links

- ["Buzzcut Season" audio](https://www.youtube.com/pstVCGyaUBM) on YouTube

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Buzzcut Season](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buzzcut_Season) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buzzcut_Season?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.