Lorde is speaking openly about how chest taping helped her explore her gender identity and express herself more authentically. In the autumn issue, which hits stands worldwide on Thursday (September 11), Lorde looked back at a pivotal moment in 2023 when she first taped her chest. We started writing the song, and I saw this TV performance of it [in my mind’s eye], and it wasn’t even finished. This isn’t the first time Lorde has spoken about gender identity. By sharing her story, Lorde offers a glimpse into the deeply personal side of gender exploration.