New Zealand alt-pop superstar Lorde has returned with her first taste of new solo music since 2021’s “painful and confounding” Solar Power LP.
The first single of Lorde’s new era is dubbed ‘What Was That’, produced by the artist herself in collaboration with Jim-E Stack (Bon Iver) and Grammy-winning producer of the Year, Dan Nigro (Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo), which she describes as “the sound of my rebirth”.
Lorde – ‘What Was That’
The song is both melancholy and achingly euphoric, as Lorde explores the emotional carnage that follows a breakup with her trademark minimalistic alt-pop approach and raw, vulnerable lyricism.
In a new statement via her website, Lorde shared some insights into the process of making ‘What Was That’:
“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.”
Lorde has also dropped an official music video for the track, which features her riding a bicycle around New York City.
It comes after she surprised fans with a pop-up event at NYC’s Washington Square Park earlier this week, where she debuted the song just hours after the NYPD had tried to axe the hang.
Footage from the event has also been used in the music video, which you can peep up above.
Despite the long wait between Lorde’s solo music releases, the Kiwi icon hasn’t strayed far from the spotlight, thanks to her recent Hottest 100-charting collab with Charli XCX, ”The girl, so confusing version with Lorde‘.
Further Reading
Love Letter To A Record: Miramar On Lorde’s ‘Melodrama’
Lorde Review – Pop Star Illuminates Her Multitudes at Sydney ‘Solar Power’ Show
Indy Yelich, Lorde’s Sister, Announces Debut EP And Shares New Single
