Lorde Unveils New Song What Was That in Surprise New York Park Performance

Lorde made an electrifying return with her first new track since 2021, What Was That, unveiled through an impromptu performance in New York City. While the song has yet to receive an official release, the singer treated fans to a unique debut.

On April 22, Lorde invited her New York fans to a mysterious “meet-up in the park” at Washington Square Park. The response was overwhelming, with crowds gathering despite police attempts to shut down the area. The event went ahead, with Lorde captivating the audience more through dance than vocals, moving to the rhythm of her new track.

A teaser of What Was That had already sparked buzz when Lorde shared it on TikTok on April 10, amassing an impressive 33 million views in just two weeks. The post drew comments from artists like Tate McRae and Bebe Rexha, alongside official accounts from Spotify, Billboard, and TikTok, signaling the high anticipation for her comeback.

Blood Orange, the producer behind What Was That, was spotted at the park performance. Lorde’s decision to collaborate with a new producer follows her work with Jack Antonoff, who shaped her critically acclaimed 2017 album Melodrama but faced mixed reception for her 2021 release Solar Power. Some fans argue the creative spark between Lorde and Antonoff had faded, while others point out that Melodrama involved multiple producers. Still, others believe Solar Power’s shortcomings reflect Lorde’s artistic choices rather than Antonoff’s influence, noting his successful projects with artists like Lana Del Rey.

Solar Power, released in 2021, remains Lorde’s most recent album. Details about her next full-length project, including its title and release date, are still under wraps. However, the single What Was That is set to drop officially on April 25.