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Lorde Announces New Single ‘What Was That,’ Says ‘Everything Is About to Change’
Apr
Lorde Announces New Single ‘What Was That,’ Says ‘Everything Is About to Change’
After nearly three years of musical silence, Lorde is back—and she’s not whispering her return. The New Zealand-born pop star has officially announced her brand-new single, titled “What Was That”, set for release later this month. Accompanied by a cryptic message—“everything is about to change”—the announcement has sent shockwaves across the music world.
Known for her poetic lyricism, genre-bending evolution, and ability to channel raw emotion into haunting melodies, Lorde’s return is being welcomed as one of the most anticipated musical comebacks of the decade.
But “What Was That” isn’t just a single. According to sources close to the project and comments from Lorde herself, it marks the beginning of a new era—sonically, visually, and philosophically. Let’s dive into everything we know so far about this exciting new chapter.
A Long-Awaited Return
It’s been a quiet few years for Lorde fans. After the release of her third studio album, Solar Power, in 2021, the singer largely retreated from the spotlight. While she occasionally surfaced for festival appearances and environmental activism, she remained musically dormant—until now.
On April 15, 2025, without prior warning, Lorde broke her silence on social media. Her post included an image of a dimly lit mirror, a brief audio snippet of her humming over ambient synths, and a caption that simply read:
“What Was That. April 26. everything is about to change.”
Within minutes, the internet erupted.
Fans flooded Twitter (X), TikTok, and Reddit with theories, breakdowns of the teaser audio, and emotional reactions. Hashtags like #LordeIsBack, #WhatWasThat, and #EverythingIsAboutToChange trended globally, signaling a wave of collective excitement.
The Teaser: Clues and Symbolism
Lorde has always been a master of subtle messaging, and the teaser for “What Was That” is no different. In the video, she’s seen walking through a foggy forest in a long black coat, her hair damp from rain, as a soft synth pulses in the background.
As she passes a broken mirror leaning against a tree, her voice quietly asks, “What was that feeling?”—before the screen cuts to black.
Fans have interpreted the symbolism in various ways:
- The Mirror: Possibly a metaphor for self-reflection, fragmented identity, or distorted truth.
- The Rain: A cleansing symbol, perhaps signaling rebirth or emotional release.
- The Forest Setting: Could hint at a return to the natural world, but in a darker, moodier contrast to Solar Power’s sun-soaked aesthetic.
In a fan newsletter sent out the next day, Lorde wrote:
“I’ve been sitting in silence, letting things come to the surface. This song is the first ripple. It’s vulnerable, unfiltered, and strange. It’s the most me I’ve ever been.”
Sound Evolution: From Solar Power to Sonic Mystery
Lorde’s discography is marked by constant reinvention. From the minimalist electropop of Pure Heroine (2013) to the emotional rollercoaster of Melodrama (2017) and the breezy introspection of Solar Power (2021), each project has explored different textures of sound and states of mind.
So where does “What Was That” fit in?
Though the full track hasn’t dropped yet, music insiders and early listeners suggest a sonic departure from the acoustic calm of Solar Power. Producer Jack Antonoff—longtime collaborator and friend—hinted during a recent interview:
“It’s unlike anything we’ve done before. Think: analog meets digital meets ghost story. It’s not ‘happy’ or ‘sad.’ It’s something else. It’s weird in the best way.”
Other rumors suggest the new single might blend ambient pop, trip-hop, and avant-garde synth textures, with Lorde’s signature lyrical storytelling anchoring it all.
If true, “What Was That” could represent a bold new genre experiment—fitting for an artist who has never played by the rules.
Lyrical Themes: Emotion, Memory, and Disruption
Though we don’t have full lyrics yet, the title alone—“What Was That”—hints at retrospection, confusion, and possibly trauma. It evokes that fleeting sensation when something shakes you to your core, then disappears before you can grasp it.
Fans are already drawing connections to previous themes Lorde has explored:
- From “Liability” to “Big Star,” she’s long grappled with feeling out of place in fame, love, and youth.
- From “Green Light” to “Mood Ring,” she’s painted vivid portraits of identity, expectation, and escape.
In her newsletter, Lorde hinted that the new track tackles “moments that bend reality—grief, epiphany, desire, fear.”
It’s clear that “What Was That” is not a feel-good pop anthem. It’s likely to be a slow-burning meditation on transformation—the kind of music that lives with you long after the final note fades.
Visual Identity: A Darker Lorde
Alongside the announcement, new promotional photos began circulating online. Gone is the sunflower-goddess image of the Solar Power era. In its place: a stark, noir-inspired look.
Lorde wears a black trench coat, blood-red lipstick, and minimal jewelry. Her eyes are heavy with shadow, and in some shots, her reflection appears cracked or fading. It’s a striking contrast to her previous sun-soaked aesthetic, and fans are loving it.
“This is Gothic Lorde. Grown-up Lorde. Dangerous Lorde,” wrote one fan on Tumblr.
“I feel like she’s about to show us her shadow self,” another tweeted.
Sources close to the project say the music video—set to debut the same day as the single—was shot on 16mm film in Iceland and directed by Lorde herself.
Everything Is About to Change: A New Era?
Lorde has never made casual declarations. So when she wrote, “Everything is about to change,” fans took it seriously.
Many believe this could signal more than just a new album cycle. Some are speculating that Lorde may be:
- Changing labels (her deal with Universal reportedly expired after Solar Power)
- Taking full creative control, including directing her own visuals and producing tracks
- Launching a multimedia project, blending music with poetry, film, or environmental messaging
- Releasing an EP before a full album, a structure that would let her experiment more freely
Whatever the direction, one thing is clear: this isn’t just a comeback. It’s a metamorphosis.
The Industry Reacts
As expected, the music industry is abuzz with Lorde’s announcement.
Critics and artists alike have expressed excitement:
“Lorde is a generational voice. If she says everything’s about to change, I believe her,” wrote journalist Jessica Hopper.
“The way I stopped breathing when I saw the announcement,” tweeted singer Phoebe Bridgers.
“We missed you, Ella,” added Finneas, brother and producer of Billie Eilish.
Streaming platforms have already begun promoting Lorde-centric playlists, and her name has shot back up into trending searches on Spotify and Apple Music.
Fan Theories and Speculations
Lorde’s fandom, known for its literary intelligence and emotional depth, has wasted no time dissecting every pixel of the teaser and announcement.
Popular theories include:
- The single is part of a four-part concept album exploring the elements: Earth (Solar Power), Air (rumored), Water (next), and Fire (final).
- The title “What Was That” may be a reference to a forgotten memory or past self—some even wonder if it’s a nod to lost time during the pandemic.
- It could be a breakup song, given Lorde’s recent subtle references to major life changes in her newsletters.
The mystery is fueling excitement—and that’s exactly what Lorde seems to want.
Release Details and Global Rollout
- Song Title: What Was That
- Release Date: April 26, 2025
- Pre-Save Links: Now live on Spotify, Apple Music, and TIDAL
- Music Video: Premiering same day on YouTube at 6PM NZT
- Merch: Teaser shirts and vinyl singles already listed on her official site
It’s expected that Lorde will do a round of late-night performances, possibly kicking off with Saturday Night Live or a surprise appearance at a major spring festival.
A full album announcement is likely to follow in May or June, with tour dates possibly dropping by summer.
Conclusion: Lorde’s Next Chapter Begins
Lorde’s announcement of “What Was That” is more than just a return—it’s a declaration. A statement that she’s stepping into something new, something brave, and something transformational.
Whether the track turns out to be a sonic departure, a lyrical confession, or a full-blown artistic pivot, one thing is clear: the world is listening.
In an era dominated by algorithm-friendly pop and overproduced perfection, Lorde offers something different—something honest, strange, and undeniably human. And if everything is about to change, as she says, we can’t wait to follow her into the unknown.
Stay tuned for April 26. Until then, one question echoes across the world: What was that?
