Lorde's new song 'What Was That?' is full of references to heartbreak and MDMA. Here's a close reading of the lyrics.

Apr 24 2025 by Business Insider

 
Lorde in a press photo for her single "What Was That?"

Thistle Brown

Lorde released her new single "What Was That?" on Thursday.She said the song was written in late 2023 in the midst of a painful breakup.The lyrics also include references to drug use and other songs in Lorde's discography.

On the heels of her impromptu pop-up in Washington Square Park on Tuesday, which drew a crowd so large it was shut down by the NYPD, Lorde officially launched her new era of music on Thursday with the...

Continue Reading Lorde's new song 'What Was That?' is full of references to heartbreak and MDMA. Here's a close reading of the lyrics.