Lorde - What was that?

Lorde, the New Zealand singer-songwriter whose real name is Ella Yelich-O'Connor, has made a significant return to the music scene with her first solo single in four years, titled "What Was That," released on April 24, 2025. This synth-pop track marks her first original release since her 2021 album Solar Power and has generated considerable buzz among fans and critics alike. The song, co-produced by Lorde, Jim-E Stack (known for work with Bon Iver and Charli XCX), and Grammy-winning producer Dan Nigro (Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan), is described as a nostalgic breakup anthem that harkens back to the electronic and emotional intensity of her 2017 album Melodrama. Lyrically, it reflects on a past relationship, possibly her breakup with music executive Justin Warren in 2023, with vivid imagery of moments like MDMA-fueled nights and fleeting kisses. The track features lines like, “Since I was 17, I gave you everything / Now we wake from a dream, well, baby, what was that?” and has been praised for its confessional vulnerability and danceable melancholy, though some reviews note its production feels slightly muted compared to its potential.

Accompanying the single is a DIY-style music video filmed in New York City, capturing Lorde biking through the streets and dancing with fans at a Washington Square Park meetup on April 22, 2025. This pop-up event, initially shut down by police due to overcrowding, was rescheduled later that night with Blood Orange’s Dev Hynes playing the track on a portable speaker. The chaotic yet intimate gathering, which Lorde joined to dance and sing, was incorporated into the video, showcasing her reconnection with fans. She teased the single for weeks via TikTok snippets, voice memos, and cryptic social media posts, building anticipation for what she called a “new musical era.” In a voice note, she described the song as “the music of my rebirth,” hinting at personal struggles, including a “deep breakup” and stopping birth control, that shaped its creation.

The release has sparked widespread excitement, with fans dubbing it the start of “Lorde Summer,” a term coined by Charli XCX during their recent collaborations. Lorde’s profile has remained high due to her feature on Charli XCX’s “Girl, So Confusing” remix from the 2024 Brat album, which they performed together at Coachella and Madison Square Garden. Posts on X also suggest her upcoming fourth album, reportedly titled BANDIT, may draw inspiration from Brat and employ guerrilla marketing tactics, though these claims remain unconfirmed. Producers Jim-E Stack and Dev Hynes are reportedly involved in the album, fueling speculation about its direction.

Critically, “What Was That” has been well-received for its emotional depth and Lorde’s signature alt-pop style, though some outlets like The Independent note it leans on familiar pop tropes like drug references and reverb-heavy vocals. Billboard included it in a new music poll alongside releases from Benson Boone and Megan Thee Stallion, while The New York Times and Rolling Stone praised its hypnotic quality and return to form. Fans on X have celebrated the end of the “Lorde drought,” with some humorously noting her knack for releasing music during personal life changes.

Lorde has not confirmed a release date for her fourth album, but her recent activity, including studio sightings with Hynes and Stack, suggests it’s imminent. She’s described this era as a transformative one, telling fans, “Everything is about to change,” and expressing gratitude for their patience. For the latest updates, fans can check her social media or website, where she’s been sharing voice notes and teasers.

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