Lorde poses for the cover photo of her newest single, “What Was That.” Photo from Lorde’s Instagram.
Before Frolics Friday, it had been more than forty days and forty nights since the musical world had heard from self-declared “prettier Jesus” Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor, more commonly known as Lorde.
Beginning in April, snippets of her new release “What Was That” spread through numerous Instagram accounts, including
@lordecontent. Instagram posts and fan art floated around social media, with some fans assuming the song would be released on April 11. But as the saying goes, the Lorde works in mysterious ways. April crept by and Lorde did not release her newest song.
Despite doubts from listeners, Lorde in fact was back. She unofficially premiered this new song in Washington Square Park in New York City to an overwhelming crowd of fanatics on April 22. To gain traction for her secret release party, she also sent cryptic texts to fans at 4 p.m. that stated, “Meet me in the park / Tonight 7pm – xx.”
By 7 p.m., the New York City Police Department was shutting down the event and Lorde was directing everyone to leave the park on her Instagram story. But fans persisted: videos of mass movement through the streets of New York City flooded Twitter and Instagram. In the background, speakers and voices singing “Supercut,” “Perfect Places” and the like could be heard. Dev Hynes, also known as Blood Orange, arrived at the park with a speaker and played the still-unreleased song for frenetic fans. Finally, at 9 p.m., the woman of the hour(s) arrived, standing on a speaker and squirming around in classic Lorde fashion to officially premiere the song to her dedicated devotees. The artist then officially released “What Was That” on Friday, April 25.
Lorde opens “What Was That” with repeating piano keys before setting the scene: “A place in the city, a chair and a bed / I cover up all the mirrors, I can’t see myself yet.” Gone is the girl riding carefree out the sunroof, on the streets of New York, dancing to “Greenlight.” It’s ten years later, and she croons, “Oh I’m missing you.” Devoted listeners quickly noted that Jack Antonoff is not credited as a producer for this song.
Could the content be informed by the formal production? Will the fan theories of a Lorde-Antonoff relationship during “Melodrama” re-emerge? Twenty-seven-year-old Lorde then looks back on “all the things we used to do,” as the beat drop suddenly transports listeners to the “back garden / when I was seventeen.” In the next verse, “I stare at the painted faces / They talk current affairs” reminds one of her roots in “Pure Heroine.” We’re back in “A World Alone,” where a nascent, teen Lorde sings, “People are talking” while only paying attention to her dance partner. But this time, that dancer is no longer with her. In “What Was That,” she asks “Do you know you’re still with me?” but it’s only in memory. Acknowledging “It might not let me go,” Lorde gives into the memory and the melancholy, and dances to it. Maybe that girl from “Melodrama” isn’t gone. Maybe she’s just a muse now, reflected back with a more mature view.
However, the new release wasn’t the only thing that got fans excited: a music video accompanied the song. Filmed in part at the impromptu release party in Washington Square Park, the video emphasized the excitement of fans who yearned for new Lorde music after a four year hiatus. Lyrics like “MDMA in the back garden, blow our pupils out” signaled a shift from the mellow maturity of the “Solar Power” album back to the pensive and personal reflection of “Melodrama.”
This new single has sparked enthusiasm among Lorde fans and has built anticipation for Lorde’s future releases in the coming months. And even still, Lorde’s newest addition to her discography might not have even been the best pop release of the weekend.
In the span of three days, Addison Rae released her song “Headphones On,” HAIM released their third recent single in “Down to be Wrong,” providing a title, release date and cover art for their impending album “I Quit,” and Samia released her legendary, long-awaited album “Bloodless.” Needless to say, many listeners haven’t left Spotify in days.
If listeners tuned into Charli XCX’s Coachella set in mid-April, they would already know that society is due for a “Lorde Summer.” Lorde appeared during Charli’s first Coachella performance for her verse on Charli’s hit song “Girl, so confusing.” During Charli’s second performance, ‘Lorde Summer’ appeared in a massive font behind her—calling on her fans to channel their energy toward Lorde.
As the weather gets warmer and class days wane, prepare yourself. Uncover your mirrors, contemplate the “best cigarette of your life” and wake up from the dream. Put your headphones on, then take them off again. Turn the volume up so everyone around you can hear—there’s a lot to listen to.
Sofia Cimballa ‘26 is an English and history double major from Palm Beach, FL and can be reached for comment at [email protected]
Cate Goodin ‘26 is an English and art history double major from Washington, D.C. and can be reached for comment at [email protected]