From the very beginning, Lorde did not aim to progress linearly. While ‘Royals’ was an unforeseen worldwide success, she possessed the self-awareness to recognize that she could not just follow that path; she needed to veer off. Her third album, ‘Solar Power,’ certainly represented a departure – focusing on her soulful well-being, its indie-dance elements were connected to chakra vibrations that transitioned into geo-centric realignment. It was an experience, yet it appeared to signal a retreat from the pop grandiosity of 2017’s brilliant ‘Melodrama.’
However, in recent weeks, Lorde has re-emerged with a fierce confidence. A high-profile collaboration with Charli XCX allowed the New Zealand artist to openly address her insecurities, vividly bringing ‘Girl, so confusing’ to life at Coachella. A fan meet in the U.S. turned into a major event, demonstrating that despite a four-year hiatus since her last significant release, her audience remains unwaveringly loyal.
Sharing the image for ‘What Was That’ on social media was a brilliant move – a refreshing splash of water, the striking quasi-eroticism sent the internet into a frenzy. This isn’t a leisurely stroll on the beach of ‘Solar Power’ – this is something different.
Now available, ‘What Was That’ echoes the diverse pop aspirations of ‘Green Light’ while steering clear of revisiting familiar territory. With its vibrant pop digitalism, it’s produced by Jim-E Stack and Dan Nigro along with Lorde herself, creating an astonishing blend of high-level potential.
Rather than being a reinvention, this feels like a moment of reconnection – Lorde is reclaiming her place at the forefront, with elements from ‘Solar Power’ assisting in re-aligning her creative universe. The lyrics are also rich with energy and style, her verbal flair showcasing that her poetry – “I wear smoke like a wedding veil” – is among the finest.
Transitioning into a more physical realm, ‘What Was That’ likens waking from a dream to finding oneself in an empty bed: “MDMA in the back garden, blow our pupils up / We kissed for hours straight, well, baby, what was that?”
This serves as a powerful reminder of her talent, as well as her youth – “Since I was seventeen, I gave you everything” – marking it as a captivating pop statement, a mesmerizing, endlessly alluring digital melody wrapped around striking lyrics. In the realm of pop, one throne has remained empty – and Lorde is poised to take it back.
9/10
Words: Robin Murray
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