Lorde - What Was That

Did we collectively bully Lorde into going backwards?

It’s been a long four years since the last music era from Lorde. And now she’s back with a new lead single, “What Was That”. We’re introduced to a new visual language — bratty, messy, intimate — and yet again, Lorde takes us into the depths of another heartbreak. She seems ready to explore new sides of her youth, this time with a certain looseness, almost like she’s inviting us in without overthinking the setup. But at the same time, this track really got me thinking. A lot.

Lorde has always been one of the most unique artists of our generation — someone who delivered her artistry in strange, unexpected shapes, completely on her own terms. It always felt like she wasn’t listening to anyone else — just following her own voice, her own artistic compass. That’s why, when she released her third album Solar Power — an introspective, stoned-out reflection wrapped in sunshine and earthy sensuality — and it was largely rejected by critics and fans, I had one fear: that someone so singular would start questioning herself and dial things down just to please the crowd.

And now, watching everyone celebrate her “return to Melodrama,” I can’t help but stand quietly in the corner of that celebration, wondering — was it worth it?

We're back in synth-pop territory — airy, glittering electro-pop, where Jack Antonoff gives way to Dan Nigro, whose production here is genuinely a pleasant surprise. Lorde walks us through another story of heartbreak and self-reclamation — something we already know she can do brilliantly. And yet, emotionally, this is unfamiliar ground for me as a listener. “What Was That” is the first time Lorde has dipped her toes into the waters of self-repetition. And because it’s new territory for her, it’s hard to say whether that’s a step back or a measured choice.

What we get is a warm, summery, well-produced track — one that sounds like it could’ve easily lived on Melodrama. And that’s not a bad thing at all (let’s not forget, Melodrama is one of the best albums of the last 15 years). This song is sleek, it’s enjoyable, and it definitely deserves a spot in your playlist. But for the first time in Lorde’s career, it doesn’t feel like she’s kicking down a new door. In my eyes, she always had this signature sense of sharp artistic progression — something that separated each of her albums by a canyon of emotional and sonic growth. Here, it feels a little... muted. Maybe it’s the lack of lyrical bite. Maybe it’s the sonic palette, which doesn’t really evolve or explode in any new direction. Even the theme of substances — which has always been an undercurrent in her eras — is circling back.If you didn’t know: every Lorde album is symbolically tied to a substance she was using during its creation. Pure Heroine — alcohol. Melodrama — MDMA. Solar Power — weed. And “What Was That” places us back in the MDMA phase.

It’s not a song that knocks you off your boots or redefines the pop landscape. But it’s a song that will stay with you. Because despite all of that — it still works. It’s smooth, it’s confident, it’s catchy, and it’s Lorde. And that’s already more than enough for many of us.

Still, the question remains: What Was That?
That was definitely something.
But… was that it? Not sure yet.

7.8/10