Is Pure Heroine the most restrained pop release of 2013? It's not only Joel Little's minimalist production, all clicks, bass and empty space. The restraint lies also in Ella Yelich-O'Connor's treatment of orthodox pop themes: "You pick me up and take me home again", is about as much as she reveals about a date on 400 Lux. She is more forthright about pop's failings: on Royals, one of several great moments on a decent album, she deftly punctures the inflated dreams of so many pop artists. Royals topped the US charts this month, making Lorde a very wealthy 16-year-old. It'll be interesting to see if her restraint holds out.