Calling all Lorde fans—imagine hearing a brand-new single that instantly takes you back to the magic of her 2017 masterpiece, Melodrama. Well, no need to imagine anymore. Lorde has officially returned with her latest track, “What Was That,” released on August 24.
But that’s not all—her highly anticipated new album, Virgin, drops on June 27.
Dive into a supercut of Lorde’s past and present eras to make sure you’re fully prepped for her first album release in four years.
Who is Lorde, the So-Called “Prettier Jesus” Who Became Pop Royalty?
Lorde is a New Zealand singer-songwriter who rose to international fame in 2013 at just 16 years old with the breakout hit “Royals,” from her debut EP The Love Club, according to Britannica.
She became the first solo female artist in 17 years to top the U.S. Billboard Alternative chart. A month later, she released her first full-length album, Pure Heroine.
In 2014, Lorde won two Grammy Awards for “Royals”—Best Pop Solo Performance and Song of the Year.
She signed with Universal Music Group at age 12 after a talent agent saw her perform at a school event. Her interest in aristocracy inspired her stage name, Lorde, and she added an “e” to make the traditionally masculine word feel more feminine.
The success of “Royals” was only the beginning. Lorde quickly cemented her status as a pop innovator and global star.
Lorde’s Melodramatic Second Album and What Followed
With Lorde’s rise to fame established, attention naturally turns to her acclaimed 2017 sophomore album, Melodrama.
The 11-track album received widespread acclaim from fans and critics for its emotional resonance. Created in collaboration with Jack Antonoff, Melodrama pairs vibrant electro-pop, featuring piano-driven melodies and lush synths, with a bold, maximalist sound that delivers a deeply poignant listening experience.
The album explores themes of heartbreak, loss, self-discovery, and the pursuit of independence. This is especially for those navigating early adulthood and grappling with their femininity.
Building on the raw, observational tone of her debut EP The Love Club and first album Pure Heroine, Melodrama expands Lorde’s lyrical storytelling. While Pure Heroine explored the disillusionment of growing up in a digital world, Melodrama deepened that narrative with a more intimate, emotionally charged perspective on young adulthood
In contrast, Lorde’s third studio album, Solar Power (2021), marked a stylistic departure from the emotionally charged intensity of Melodrama. Embracing a stripped-back, acoustic-driven sound, Solar Power leaned into themes of escapism, environmentalism and personal healing.
Some fans found its breezy, introspective tone to be a refreshing evolution. Others felt it lacked the emotional immediacy of her earlier work. Still, the album revealed a more grounded, sun-soaked side of Lorde. She was focused on peace, nature and disconnecting from fame’s noise of expectations.
Lorde Shakes Up Her Signature Album Rollout
Music Daily has followed Lorde’s musical journey before—and her latest era is no exception. In 2023, the outlet noted her trademark habit of releasing a new album every four years. Her forthcoming project, Virgin, set to release on June 27, 2025, continues that tradition.
This time, though, Lorde deviated from her usual rollout by dropping a surprise single, “What Was That,” ahead of the album’s debut.
Adding to the excitement, Lorde held an impromptu listening party at Washington Square Park just two days before the single’s official release, according to Rolling Stone.
According to Billboard, police initially shut down the event before she arrived—prompting the crowd to disperse—but fans still spontaneously sang “Ribs,” which quickly gained traction on social media. Lorde later appeared at the park to perform “What Was That,” with footage from the pop-up making its way into the song’s official music video, released just days later.
Lorde’s 2013 track “Ribs” from Pure Heroine reentered the Billboard Hot 100 over a decade after its release.
The song’s viral popularity on TikTok has largely driven this unexpected resurgence. Users embrace its introspective themes and atmospheric sound. The renewed attention underscores the timeless quality of Lorde’s early work and its resonance with new generations of listeners.
Lorde’s “What Was That” Signals Rebirth and Raw Intent
The surprise release of “What Was That” marks a clear shift in Lorde’s approach to music—one that feels more immediate, raw and intimately connected to her audience.
Known for her carefully timed rollouts, Lorde has shaken tradition this time. She’s offering fans a glimpse into her upcoming album, Virgin, ahead of schedule. The impact was immediate: according to Rolling Stone, the single became Lorde’s first track since “Royals” in 2012 to top the Spotify charts the weekend after its release.
Co-produced with Jim-E Stack and Dan Nigro, “What Was That” opens with a soft, pulsing synth that builds tension. Sparse piano chords and subtle vocal loops set an introspective tone before the track blooms into a lush, atmospheric chorus. The production seamlessly blends acoustic and electronic elements—textured beats, ambient pads, and layered harmonies create a cinematic soundscape.
Lorde’s vocals remain front and center, slightly drenched in reverb, giving them a ghostly, ethereal quality. She delivers her lyrics with emotional rawness, letting her vulnerability—centered on longing, confusion, and self-reflection—take center stage. A glitchy, syncopated beat midway through the track introduces a new urgency. The stripped-down bridge pulls focus entirely to her voice before closing with a sweeping final chorus.
Critics and fans have responded with mixed reactions. On TikTok, some argue the song is too sonically similar to tracks from her 2017 album Melodrama. Still, others see “What Was That” as an evolution—echoing the best of Melodrama while offering a more mature and personal take. The track “oozes with authenticity” and reflects not only Lorde’s growth as an artist, but as a person.
The track’s provocative cover art emphasizes this personal rebirth. It features a haunting blue-tinted X-ray of a pelvis with a visible belt buckle and IUD.
According to RollingStone, Lorde described writing the album “in blood,” adding, “I’ve never felt more intentional with every single piece of what I’m doing.” There’s such a deep ethos behind all of it, and it all braids together in the end.”
The song blends both acoustic sound but also one that is electronic sounds. The lyrics are pungent and laced with themes of longing, confusion and reflection.
She also called “What Was That,” “one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written.” She said, “I really think this song is the music of my rebirth.”
More to Come…
As Virgin approaches its June 27 release, “What Was That” offers a compelling preview of the vulnerability and creative evolution Lorde is bringing into this new chapter. Blurring the lines between past and present, polished pop and raw confession, the track is more than just a comeback—it’s a statement.
If this single is any indication, Lorde isn’t just revisiting familiar territory. She’s redefining it—on her terms, with sharpened intent and a voice that’s more fearless than ever.
