Lorde teases new music with one-second clip, hints at fourth album

Lorde has sparked excitement among fans by sharing a one-second audio clip on Instagram, hinting at the imminent release of new music. The New Zealand singer-songwriter, known for her introspective lyrics and unique sound, appears to be gearing up for her fourth studio album, referred to by fans as L4.

The brief clip was shared on Lorde's Instagram Story, accompanied by minimal context. This latest tease follows a series of cryptic messages and images posted on her social media accounts over recent months. In one such post, Lorde wrote, “If the tools do not exist you are spiritually obliged to create them,” alongside variations of "L4," suggesting a reference to her upcoming album.

Fans have been piecing together clues from Lorde’s enigmatic social media activity. She posted a series of cryptic images and symbols on Instagram, including recycling logos, Tarot cards, sharks, and Egyptian figures. These posts frequently featured the letter “L” and the number “4,” further hinting at her fourth album. Her caption, “Use the existing tools wherever possible,” added to the mystery.

In February 2023, Lorde wiped her Instagram account clean, erasing all past posts. She then posted a nighttime swimming photo with the caption, “No, this is not the start of anything out there, just want u to know there’s a light inside of me,” signaling a new era in her music career.

Lorde’s Instagram bio offers further hints, reading, “THE THEMES ARE ALWAYS THE SAME— A RETURN TO INNOCENCE— THE MYSTERIES OF THE BLOOD— AN ITCH FOR THE TRANSCENDENTAL.” This aligns with her previous statement about her last album, "Solar Power," which she described as “a celebration of the natural world.”

During her performances at the Boardmasters Festival last summer, Lorde debuted two new songs, “Silver Moon” and “Invisible Ink.” While fans speculated these tracks might be part of L4, Lorde clarified, “Hahaha, I’m serious literally just decided to set these free from my laptop … but they’re not bad, eh … beautiful and fun for fests I thought.”

Lorde has been candid about her meticulous creative process, revealing, “It has taken me quite a while [to start working on it]. I mean, I do just take a long time… I do a lot of research, I write a lot down.” Despite this, she hinted at a quicker release pace, adding, “I don’t want to wait, you know, so take from that what you will.”

In a heartfelt newsletter, Lorde shared her personal struggles, writing, “I’m living with heartbreak again. It’s different but the same. I ache all the time. I forget why and then remember.”

Rumors of potential collaborations have also surfaced, with fans speculating about partnerships with artists like Blood Orange’s Dev Hynes and producer Jim-E Stack. Lorde’s frequent collaborator, Jack Antonoff, is also a potential contributor.

Lorde has been seen working in New York studios since 2021, suggesting the city’s vibrant energy might influence her new music. Fans eagerly await more details about L4, hopeful for a full-length album announcement soon.