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Lorde Releases New Single “What Was That”

Lorde has unveiled “What Was That,” marking her first original solo release since the 2021 album Solar Power. The new single was promoted through an intriguing blend of social media teasers, including cryptic messages and audio snippets, while the cover art was shot by Talia Chetrit. The accompanying music video is now available for viewing.

Live Debut at Washington Square Park

The single made its live debut during a spontaneous performance at New York’s Washington Square Park. Lorde surprised fans by announcing through her fan text line that she would be at the park at 7 PM. However, the event quickly drew a significant crowd, prompting local authorities to intervene and shut it down. Footage from this unexpected gathering is included in the music video for “What Was That.”

Collaboration and Production Details

Lorde collaborated with Jim-E Stack on the writing and production of “What Was That.” Stack not only co-produced the track but also contributed various instrumental elements, including drums, keyboards, and synthesizers. Daniel Nigro also collaborated on the production, adding bass, electric guitar, and additional engineering. The track features notable electric guitar work from Andrew Aged of Inc. No World.

A Reflection on Prior Work

Following Solar Power, which was a much-anticipated successor to her acclaimed 2018 album Melodrama, Lorde has mostly maintained a low profile. The previous album included hits like “Solar Power,” “Stoned at the Nail Salon,” and “Mood Ring,” each receiving music videos, including notable visuals for “Fallen Fruit” and “Secrets From a Girl (Who’s Seen It All).” Lorde made a few public appearances, including a performance with MUNA in 2023 and lending her voice to a cover for A24’s Talking Heads tribute album in early 2024.

Recently, she garnered attention for her collaboration with Charli XCX on a remix of the track “Girl, So Confusing,” which solidified her involvement in the song’s narrative. Both artists performed the remix during their appearance at Madison Square Garden and at Coachella earlier this month.

For those interested in Lorde’s impact on music, she is featured in “The 200 Most Important Artists of Pitchfork’s First 25 Years” and her song “Girl, So Confusing Featuring Lorde” is noted in “The 100 Best Songs of 2024,” where it ranks at No. 9.

Source
pitchfork.com