The song signals a new era for the pop star
Lorde returns with “What Was That” via Republic Records, her first major release in almost four years. The global pop star co-wrote and co-produced the track with Jim-E Stack and Daniel Nigro.
The accompanying music video was shot on location in New York, including Washington Square Park, where Lorde surprised fans with a pop-up performance earlier this week.
The song is described as an electro-pop track with a building intensity, reminiscent of her Melodrama era but distinct from the more tranquil sound of 2021’s Solar Power.
Lyrically, the track deals with themes of heartbreak and vivid memories of a past relationship, referencing moments of intense connection.
Lorde has described the song as being written during a period of “deep breakup” in late 2023 and calls it her “rebirth.”
Solar Power, her third project, saw the New Zealand singer/songwriter lean towards an indie folk, folk-pop, psychedelic pop, and psychedelic folk sound. She co-produced the projec twith Jack Antonoff and Malay.
