Four years after the mixed reception of Solar Power, Lorde steps back into the spotlight with “What Was That,” the first taste of her upcoming album Virgin. Co-produced with Jim-E Stack and Dan Nigro, the single revives the synth-charged drama of Melodrama, now shaded with a quieter, more personal maturity.
Debuted with an impromptu, unpermitted performance in Washington Square Park, “What Was That” captures Lorde’s instinct for spontaneity—and vulnerability. The song is strikingly personal, with Lorde candidly addressing a recent breakup, struggles with body image, and her evolving sense of identity. Her line “Since I was 17, I gave you everything” lands with a quiet gravity, tracing the tension of growing up under the intense gaze of public attention.
The song echoes the vibrant, youthful energy of her earlier hits but reframes familiar themes—mirrors, fleeting moments, and festival nights—with newfound self-awareness. It’s an appealing listen, though the sonic terrain feels familiar, hinting that Lorde may be prioritizing resonance over reinvention.
In the music video, Lorde moves through the drab arteries of Manhattan’s East Side, surfacing in Washington Square Park as if exhaling after a long hold underwater—a visual gesture toward rebirth, or at least release. The intentionally unpolished aesthetic underscores the authenticity and immediacy Lorde seeks to convey.
Recent interviews reveal Lorde reflecting deeply on societal expectations around femininity, self-presentation, and gender fluidity. The album’s cover—an X-ray of hips foregrounding bodily autonomy—quietly underscores these themes, neither preachy nor overly earnest. Lorde is engaging directly with conversations that matter deeply to her audience, while keeping it relatable and accessible.
With “What Was That,” Lorde reasserts her ability to connect emotionally with listeners. The song isn’t groundbreaking, but it doesn’t need to be. Instead of trying to surprise us, she trusts the intimacy of small moments to do the work. It’s a welcome return—intentional, unrushed, and quietly luminous.
