Lorde has officially launched her musical comeback with the release of a compelling new video for her single “What Was That,” per faroutmagazine.co.uk. The Alt-pop icon and New Zealand singer-songwriter’s latest offering marks her first release since her 2021 album Solar Power and signals the beginning of her highly anticipated fourth album era.
Shot in a raw, home-video style across New York City, the visually striking clip follows Lorde wandering through urban landscapes while listening to her own track on oversized headphones. The video captures an intimate journey as she eventually discards the headphones and escapes on a bicycle, creating a powerful visual metaphor for liberation and reinvention.
The video also documents footage from Lorde’s surprise appearance in Washington Square Park, where fans gathered after her social media announcement. The impromptu event initially faced shutdown due to overcrowding before the singer returned hours later to perform for dedicated followers.
“What Was That” showcases Lorde’s signature evocative lyricism, exploring themes of nostalgia, lost connections and vivid memories of past relationships. The track was co-written with Jim-E Stack, who also co-produced alongside Daniel Nigro, with additional contributions from Inc. No World’s Andrew Aged on electric guitar.
While details about Lorde’s fourth studio album remain scarce with no confirmed title or release date, this first single suggests a sonic evolution that maintains her distinctive artistic voice while pushing into new creative territory.
The new release adds another chapter to Lorde’s impressive discography, which includes her groundbreaking 2013 debut Pure Heroine, the critically acclaimed Melodrama (2017), and her sun-soaked third album Solar Power (2021).
•Featured image by Thistle Brown
