Lorde has taken control as a fully independent artist. The New Zealand singer shared the update in voice memos to fans on March 18, revealing her deal with Universal Music Group, first inked when she was 12, concluded last December. The artist broke through in 2013 with her debut Pure Heroine and its standout single ‘Royals‘, scoring Grammys including Song of the Year. That success set the stage for a career marked by introspective songwriting and a unique place in alternative pop.

In those messages, Lorde expressed genuine appreciation for her time at the label, calling the people there incredible. Yet she pointed out the odd position of having pre-sold her creative work as a child before fully understanding the terms or her own artistic direction. She emphasized the importance of this pause, noting she needed a moment where nothing tied to her output was being bought or sold. The singer indicated she will probably enter into another agreement down the line, and it could even be back with Universal Music Group, but this break feels essential right now.

As she readies herself for the Ultrasound World Tour, Lorde spent part of the memos chatting about everyday stuff like diving into strange books and playing chess against Addison Rae. Lorde had this to say: “I adore them, they’re incredible people, and I have had an amazing experience with them. But 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. When I see an opportunity for a clean slate I take it. And it does feel different. It sounds like it wouldn’t but it really does. I feel a feeling of openness and possibility and am inspired.“

French electronic duo Krono unveiled their remix of musician, producer, and storyteller Jairic’s ferocious track, ‘Don’t Let Me Put A Track On You’, on February 20th, 2026 via Rich Air Music. The striking remix premiered on electronic music tastemaker YourEDM. Krono are a DJ and producer duo made up of brothers Mickaël and David Couderc, known for their world-class remixes that blend deep house, melodic house, and electronic pop. Inspired early on by French touch acts like Daft Punk, they began releasing music online before breaking through internationally with their remix of Aaron Smith’s ‘Dancin’, which went viral and has since amassed over one billion streams across platforms, becoming Aaron Smith’s most streamed song and one of the most recognizable house remixes of the last decade. 

Their success led to releases and remixes on major labels such as Armada Music and Ultra Music, alongside support from influential DJs including Tiësto and Pete Tong. Krono have also earned industry recognition through award nominations and high-profile collaborations with the likes of Lost Frequencies, Klingande, VanJess and more, solidifying their reputation as globally influential producers in modern house music, with coverage from respected publications including YourEDM, Vibe, Dancing Astronaut, Red Bull Music and Notion Magazine.

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and currently based in Cannes, France, renegade rapper Jairic has played a series of high-impact performances, including exclusive sets at Château Les Alouettes in Cannes and Villa Balbiano on Lake Como, as well as a featured live appearance at the Paris premiere of the short film Azur. Influenced by Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, Detroit’s underground, classic funk, 60s rock, and film scores, Jairic’s work blends lyrical weight with genre-defying sonics, drawing nearly 2 million streams across platforms. 

The original track, ‘Don’t Let Me Put A Track On You’, taken off Jairic’s 2025 EP n=40, is a ferociously defiant alternative rap number showcasing Jairic’s fearless lyricism and raw energy, moving from a stirring, gritty opening to a warm vocal bridge before snapping back into a striking hip-hop spectacle. The recently released EP received support from esteemed tastemaker publications Wonderland Magazine, NOTION, CLASH Magazine, and EARMILK, as well as landing NPR Music radio support. 

Krono’s take on the track, sure to entice fans of Eminem, Kid Cudi and Run The Jewels, saturates the original with muscular bass, hefty percussion and melodic synths, warping Julie Weber’s catchy pop vocals into an earworm hook while Jairic’s verses shine through, their grit contrasting stylishly the remix’s electronic pop sensibilities.Speaking on the remix, Krono remarked: “The remix of “Don’t Let Me Put a Track on You” takes a sharp pop-electronic direction, rooted in a contemporary aesthetic driven by deep bass and synths drawing from French Touch foundations, with influences blending Ed Banger and Daft Punk. Melodic synths bring an accessible, modern feel, while Jairic’s energetic rap energizes the track without breaking its pop balance.”

Stream now:

Follow Krono:

Instagram – Facebook – Soundcloud – Youtube – Spotify

Follow Jairic:

Website – Instagram – Soundcloud – TikTok – Youtube – Spotify