From Park Shutdown to Music Video: Lorde Releases New Music, “What Was That?”

By Britne Goldstein

On April 22, Lorde pulled off a surprise only she could dream up — turning Washington Square Park into a makeshift music video set. The New Zealand pop star texted fans a mysterious message earlier that day: “Meet me in the park. Tonight 7pm – xx.” No location was confirmed, but fans quickly guessed it was Washington Square, especially since she’d already teased her new track there on TikTok.

By 6 p.m., the park was packed. Fans were everywhere — climbing trees, lampposts, anything for a better view. But the party didn’t last long. Just before 7, the NYPD shut it down because Lorde didn’t have a permit for the speakers or the crowd size. She posted on Instagram with a disappointed, “Omg @thepark the cops are shutting us down. I am truly amazed by how many of you showed up!!! But they’re telling me you gotta disperse…I’m so sorry.”

Still, fans didn’t budge. And it paid off.

Around 8 p.m., Dev Hynes (aka Blood Orange — and rumored to be working with Lorde on her next album) showed up with a speaker and played the new track, “What Was That.” Then, in full pop queen fashion, Lorde popped back up around 9, standing on a platform in the middle of the fountain, dancing and lip-syncing to her brand new song. “You guys are so amazing. I love you so much,” she told the crowd.

The whole thing was pure chaos in the best way — fans, drones, and iPhones captured it all. And less than 24 hours later, the official single and music video dropped. “What Was That” is Lorde’s first new release since Solar Power in 2021 and is expected to lead her upcoming fourth album.

It was messy, magical, and totally Lorde — proving once again she knows exactly how to keep fans on their toes and still totally in love.