What Was That

“What Was That” is the 2025 single from Lorde. It was released on the 24th April 2025 through Universal Music New Zealand, and marked Lorde’s first release in four years.

“What Was That” is an electro-pop song that sees Lorde reminisce on a long-term relationship she had from when she was 17. She recounts their intense feelings and experiences together, such as doing ecstasy in a garden and kissing for hours. Lorde also admits that she thinks about her ex-lover still, despite knowing that they would never be enough for her, and equating their relationship to the same feeling as waking up from a dream; feeling disconnected and disoriented. Ultimately, Lorde is left wondering “what was that?”, and able to see the relationship in new light, but still holding it close to her heart.

Read the lyrics to “What Was That” here.

*All information accurate at the time of publishing (24th April 2025).