Fans who heard the album at the exclusive listening parties described it as "heartbreaking but beautiful".
One fan who heard the album has declared: "It will blow minds."
The listening session in New York last night saw just 50 people get to listen to the album, mostly fans who responded to a tweet asking them to email her requesting tickets to the event.
The reviews were overwhelmingly glowing.
One called it a "heartbreaking but beautiful body of work," while another called it "glorious".
A third just said: "This album is IT."
Lorde posted photos from the New York listening session that showed her lighting candles while fans listened intently.
A similar listening session for the album was held in Auckland sans Lorde and was attended by 45 people.
Lyrics were projected onto the building in the central city.
Official critic reviews for Melodrama aren't expected to be released until tomorrow morning when the album is officially released.
Lorde is backing up the album's release with a six-date tour for later in the year, with shows in Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington, and three at Auckland's Powerstation, scheduled for November.