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about this album
“What Was That” is a synth-pop anthem that navigates the aftermath of a breakup. It serves as the lead single from Lorde’s forthcoming fourth studio album. It marks her first major release following her record Solar Power. The song was initially teased via TikTok on April 9, 2025, with a video of Lorde walking through New York’s Washington Square Park. On April 16, 2025, Lorde officially announced it through her social media, revealing its Talia Chetrit-shot artwork. On April 22, 2025, the New Zealand artist brought her fans together to the same New York park and debuted the track in front of hundreds of people until local police shut the public appearance down. The footage ended up being used for the music video. In a voice memo sent to her text subscribers, Lorde said that the release constitutes her rebirth. She also revealed its significance in relation to this new chapter in her career: It’s one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written, ever produced. The video’s so sick. It’s just different this time. You’ll see. “What Was That” finds connection with Lorde’s sophomore album Melodrama both in its theme and sonic direction, with the distinction that here she reflects on her professional and personal journey. With a positive review, NME proclaimed, “Lorde is back dancing in the dark and on emotional, electric form.” User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.
