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4d ago

Lorde Releases 'What Was That' Single and Video After Unconventional Rollout

The synth-pop track, marking her first solo release since 2021, integrates footage from her guerrilla-style Washington Square Park debut.

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Lorde performs onstage at the 2021 Guggenheim International Gala on Nov. 17, 2021, in New York City.

Overview

  • Lorde officially released her new single 'What Was That' on April 24, 2025, alongside a music video featuring scenes from her April 22 Washington Square Park pop-up performance.
  • The New York City event was disrupted by the NYPD due to a lack of permits, but Lorde returned later in the evening to perform the track for fans who stayed.
  • 'What Was That' serves as the lead single for Lorde's forthcoming fourth studio album, her first new solo project since 2021's 'Solar Power.'
  • The song, co-produced by Jim-E Stack and Dan Nigro, blends synth-pop with introspective lyrics reflecting on a past relationship and personal transformation.
  • Lorde's unconventional promotional strategy included cryptic social media posts, direct fan messages, and a surprise live debut, signaling the start of a new artistic era.