Earlier this week, the alt-pop icon teased something mysterious on her Instagram—a few simple words: “Meet me where the light hits the fountain.” For most people who initially shrugged at the cryptic message, it was clear that something different was happening. But what Lorde had planned for that day would soon be crystal clear: she wasn’t just dropping a new single—she was turning it into an event. And not just any event. A pop-up event in New York City.
LORDE : UNIQUE & MAGICAL
Her fans, knowing Lorde like no one else, didn’t need much to figure it out. Within hours, Washington Square Park and the streets surrounding the iconic fountain were flooded with over 8,000 people. All they needed was that one cryptic clue—and they were there. Chaos? Absolutely.
The police? Yeah, they showed up, too. As the crowd rapidly swelled beyond the park’s limits, the order was given: Disperse. No Lorde. No performance. The fans, who had traveled from all over the city and beyond, were now left standing in empty streets.
But this is Lorde we’re talking about. She doesn’t let a little thing like a barricade stop her. Who needs a closed-off park when you’ve got a massive crowd and a camera to capture the magic?
And so, she arrived. The pop superstar, with her signature mischievous smile, is ready to take the moment and make it her own. The crowd erupted in cheers as she took the stage, and the performance kicked off. Not just an acoustic set, but an experience. “What Was That”, her first new track in almost four years, blasted through the speakers, and the crowd sang along with wild energy. But that wasn’t all: Lorde filmed the official music video for the song right in the middle of the crowd, chaos and all. What started as a shutdown turned into something unforgettable.
WHAT IS THAT
“What Was That” is, much like the pop-up, a leap into something new. If Solar Power was all about those sunny vibes and quiet tones, What Was That feels like a burst of energy. The sound is darker, the rhythm more intense, and Lorde’s voice grittier and more confident. This track is all about change, about stepping into the unknown, and embracing the rawness of the moment.
Side note: “What Was That” is Lorde’s first new song since the release of Solar Power in 2021, a very personal and minimalist album that had a sunny, laid-back vibe. But this shift? It’s a clear signal that the young New Zealander is ready to do things her way. As she says herself, the song is about seizing the moment and asking: What happens when we dare to do the unexpected?
Though the whole thing was an impromptu action, the event quickly turned into what we now call a “viral moment” in the world of pop and social media. And it wasn’t a botched stunt—it was pure magic. A perfect, unexpected happy ending that summed up the entire day and the chaotic energy of it all. Fans, initially disappointed by the shutdown, ended up celebrating the event and the song even more.
Lorde isn’t just back—she’s ready to change everything you thought you knew about pop stars. And on top of it all, she’s raised the bar for future pop experiences. The question “What Was That?” could just as easily be the answer to the moment itself: a pop experience for the ages.
Text: Marco Kokkot
Images: Universal Music 2025. All Rights Reserved.
