Lorde captivated fans on Tuesday evening, April 22, 2023, when she debuted her highly anticipated new single, “What Was That,” in a surprise performance at New York’s Washington Square Park. The 29-year-old pop star made her highly anticipated appearance shortly after 9 p.m. She thanked the assembled fans for their enthusiasm before opening with her original song. This exciting surprise news follows closely after her stunning new collaborative album with fellow New Zealand singer-songwriter Marlon Williams. She had a fantastic turn during Charli XCX’s Coachella set earlier in the weekend.
Lorde first teased her new song by posting a snippet to TikTok. On camera, she bolstered her bravado, strutting all over Washington Square Park like she owned it. Thousands attended to get a glimpse of her. They had just gotten an incredible invitation from her via her fan text line… “See you in the park tonight at 7 PM – x x.” The energy in the room was electric as soon as Lorde stepped on stage. Retrofuturistic music maker Devonté Hynes, of Blood Orange fame, got the crowd hyped up as a mighty sound system blared “What Was That.”
Lorde’s new single will likely be included on her fourth studio album, which is expected to be released in Spring 2025. Her most recent studio album, Solar Power, arrived in 2021 to a similarly lofty level of anticipation and provided an equally high standard to measure her future creations against. Rumor has it that her work with Hynes on this upcoming album only adds to the intrigue around her new musical direction.
During the event, Lorde took the opportunity to showcase her collaborative effort with Marlon Williams, performing their new song “Kahore He Manu.” This takes her commitment to experimenting with diverse sounds and collaborations in her music even more to task.
That night turned out to be a defining experience for Lorde and her supporters. Plus, she played a track that was brand new, setting herself up to reward enthusiasts with continuous love, while fostering an effervescent feeling of community between all in attendance. The effects of her unexpected gig will surely be felt as long as fans wait for the arrival of her next LP.