Lorde Returns with First Single in Four Years: "What Was That"

Lorde has unveiled her latest track, "What Was That," marking her first solo release since 2021. Alongside the song, she dropped a music video that captures her wandering city streets with headphones, pedaling a bicycle, and dancing in a park—scenes that seem to draw from a recent live performance of the track.

Initial reports suggested a collaboration with Blood Orange, but the final credits tell a different story. Instead, the song was co-written and co-produced by Jim-E Stack, known for his work with Charli XCX and HAIM, with additional production from Dan Nigro, a frequent collaborator of Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan.

Critics and fans alike are drawing parallels between "What Was That" and Lorde’s 2017 masterpiece, "Melodrama," often hailed as her finest work. The new single mirrors its predecessor in sound, mood, and theme, delving into the emotional wreckage of a breakup. The lyric “When I’m in the blue light, I can make it alright” evokes the shimmering nostalgia of "Supercut" from "Melodrama," striking a chord with longtime listeners.

Lorde’s most recent album, "Solar Power," arrived in 2021 to a mixed reception, falling short of the critical and commercial heights of her earlier records. Yet, the buzz around "What Was That" suggests a promising new chapter. A mere 15-second teaser of the track on TikTok has already amassed over 33 million views, hinting at the fervor surrounding her return. Tracks like "Silver Moon" and "Invisible Ink," debuted at the UK’s Boardmasters festival, may also feature on her forthcoming album, though its title and release date remain under wraps. Whispers on social media about a “Lorde summer” fuel speculation of a summer launch, a nod to the June 16, 2017, release of "Melodrama" and August 20, 2021, debut of "Solar Power."