Lorde releases “What Was That” with video shot on NYC streets

After debuting it at a Washington Square Park event that was initially shut down by cops before it began but then did end up happening, Lorde has officially released her new single “What Was That.” The song was co-written and co-produced with Jim-E Stack, who also played drums and keyboards on the track, and it features co-production and instrumentation from Chappell Roan/Olivia Rodrigo collaborator (and former As Tall As Lions singer) Daniel Nigro. Andrew Aged of the alt-R&B duo Inc. No World also plays guitar on the track. The video was shot in NYC, and it ends with footage from the Washington Square Park event. Lorde says:

LATE 2023. BACK IN NEW YORK. DEEP BREAKUP. STOPPING BIRTH CONTROL. EVERY MEAL A BATTLE. FLASHBACKS AND WAVES. FEELING GRIEF’S VORTEX AND LETTING IT TAKE ME. OPENING MY MOUTH AND RECORDING WHAT FELL OUT. JIMMY SHOUTING IN THE BACKGROUND. A THOUSAND HOURS OF AUDIO EMBROIDERY. DAN TELLING US WHERE THE MOOG BASS SHOULD GO. ANDREW GIVING IT TEETH. THE NIGHT WE FINALLY GOT THE DRUMS RIGHT. THE SOUND OF MY REBIRTH.

“What Was That” is Lorde’s first solo single since her divisive, psychedelia-tinged 2021 album Solar Power, and it feels a little more in line with the modern alt-pop vibes that Lorde’s first two albums helped define. It also follows her beloved verse on Charli XCX’s “Girl, so confusing,” which she performed on stage with Charli at Coachella weekend 1 before Charli called for a “Lorde Summer” (among a lot of other summers) at Coachella weekend 2. Presumably, that means more Lorde is on the way, so stay tuned.

Watch the “What Was That” video below…