Lorde has broken her four-year musical silence with an exciting announcement about her upcoming single. Marking her first major release since 2021, the New Zealand artist revealed the title of her new song, What Was That, through Instagram. Additionally, she shared a visual that hints at the track’s aesthetic direction. So, can the singer regain the acclaim from her debut album, Pure Heroin?
Lorde Teases New Single on Instagram Post
In the teaser image, Lorde is shown sporting her signature dark braids, wearing a vibrant red T-shirt, while gazing intensely at the camera as water droplets trail down her face. The haunting image, credited to photographer Talia Chetrit, immediately generated buzz among fans. Following the announcement, the singer recently hinted at new music, building anticipation for what could be a significant comeback.
The minimalist caption accompanying the post simply states the song’s title and imminent release. While this approach allows the powerful image to speak for itself, it also maintains an air of mystery about the track’s sound and themes. As a result, Lorde effectively reconnects with her audience with this teaser. Not only that, but it also signals a potential evolution in her artistic direction.
As Lorde’s official upcoming single, What Was That will mark the Grammy winner’s first major solo release since her 2021 album, Solar Power, which reached the number 5 position on the Billboard 200. Over the years, the New Zealand artist has maintained a relatively low profile, only making a brief resurface in 2023 for a remix collaboration with Charli XCX on Brat’s song, Girl, So Confusing. Days before her new single announcement, the singer further revived the partnership, joining Charli for a surprise performance of the duet at Coachella.
Lorde’s Strategic Comeback
Lord built anticipation for her comeback with a strategic plan. First, she teased the track through a TikTok video that showed her walking through New York’s Washington Square Park, while listening to the dreamy synth-pop melody. Mainly, haunting lyrics referencing her career journey since teenage stardom were featured in the brief clip. Next, Lorde sent fans an intimate voice note. To deepen the mystery, an intimate voice note hinted at an imminent transformation, describing these final quiet moments before embarking on a new creative journey.
Lord being as strategic as she is, given her carefully orchestrated rollout, suggests that she may have crafted more than just a standalone single. It appears that the beloved artist may finally be ready to introduce a fully realized new era of music and artistry. Due to the emotional weight of her teaser messages, combined with her recent high-profile collaborations, What Was That promises to be a homecoming for longtime fans that also provides a potential gateway to fresh creative exploration.
Lorde Summer Begins in 2025
2025 could become “Lorde summer” after the artist’s unexpected April 9 TikTok teaser, which has the music world buzzing with speculation. Indeed, the 15-second clip has taken social media by storm, amassing nearly 8 million views in under 24 hours. Adding to the excitement, Spotify’s official account joined the celebrations alongside TikTok users, who celebrated the potential transition from 2024’s “Brat summer” to a new era dominated by Lorde’s return. Given the strategic timing of this tease and her sudden wipe of her social media profiles, Lorde may be ready to make a full-fledged comeback imminently.
At 28 years old, Lorde, named Ella Yelich-O’Connor, has kept fans waiting since 2021’s Solar Power, which marked a sunny departure from her signature moody electropop sound. This new snippet’s atmospheric production, combined with its introspective lyrics, may signal a possible return to form. Furthermore, blending the maturity of her later work with the emotional rawness that made Pure Heroine and Melodrama generation-defining albums may be her next creative direction. With this overwhelming response, the Grammy-award winner proves her cultural relevance remains at an all-time high after her hiatus.
