Tiktok Trend - Lord Is Back - May 2025

This trend popped off in May 2025 and has been everywhere on TikTok since.

It’s loud, fast, and totally built for dramatic reactions. The audio starts calm and thoughtful… then suddenly turns intense. That switch is what makes it so fun — and why it’s perfect for creators who want to show big emotions or reactions in just a few seconds.

If your content is about music, pop culture, or just having fun on camera, this trend is for you.

What’s this trend all about?

This trend uses the sound "What Was That" by Lorde.

The audio starts with a soft beat and the lyric: “And I was seventeen…” It feels moody and emotional. But then, right after, it drops into a hard, loud, high-energy synth beat. That contrast — soft to explosive — is what drives the whole trend.

Creators use this shift to act out huge changes in mood, show intense reactions, or highlight emotional reveals. It’s also packed with nostalgia for early 2010s “Recession Pop.”

What kind of videos people are making

  • Example 1: A woman stands outside wearing headphones, looking calm and serious. She doesn't move at first — the camera angle is low, the background is urban. When the beat drops, text explains that Lorde is teasing new music in a mysterious way. It feels thoughtful and sets up the trend's vibe perfectly.
  • Example 2: A man wears sunglasses and headphones at night. He starts off still, but when the beat hits, he suddenly explodes into frantic dancing — arms flailing, head shaking, full chaos. Text flashes “LORDE IS MAKING MUSIC AGAIN” over and over, then ends with “WHAT WAS THAT.” It's pure energy and excitement.
  • Example 3: A man sits alone on a subway, wearing headphones. He looks peaceful and lost in thought. As the beat drops, he opens his eyes slowly, like he's realizing something powerful. Text says: “Lorde is back. Kesha is back. Gaga is back. Miley is back. The 2010s are back. Recession pop is coming with a vengeance.” It feels deep, reflective, and nostalgic.
  • Example 4: A man is dancing in the night and happy that the song will be out for summer.

Want to use it? Here’s the step-by-step

  • Find the sound “What Was That” by Lorde on TikTok and save it.
  • Listen closely to the transition — the key moment comes right after “seventeen.”
  • Film the first part: calm, serious, still. Maybe you’re sitting, thinking, walking slowly — anything quiet.
  • Then, film the second part: when the beat drops, go wild. Dance, run, flail, or just look dramatically shocked.
  • Use text on screen to tell your story — maybe it’s about Lorde, the 2010s, or just your own reaction.
  • Edit to match the shift exactly. Sync your movement with the beat drop for max impact.
  • Add a caption with hashtags like #lorde #whatwasthat #recessionpop #tiktoktrend

When it works best (and why)

This trend hits hardest when the contrast is big and the timing is perfect.

  • The switch from calm to chaos is dramatic and fun to watch
  • Your visuals match the beat drop exactly
  • Your energy is high and your reaction feels real
  • The text adds context — about the music, your feelings, or a pop culture moment
  • You're tapping into nostalgia: people love hearing about the 2010s coming back

When it doesn’t work (and why)

The biggest mistake is bad timing — if your energy doesn’t match the music, the video won’t land.

  • The reaction comes too early or too late — timing is everything
  • The energy shift isn’t big enough to feel surprising or fun
  • The visuals are confusing or hard to follow
  • You don’t use the right audio — this trend is specific to this Lorde track
  • Your text doesn’t explain what’s happening or why it matters

More examples

@joshuamusik My pop music heart couldn’t be more happier at the moment. Honestly hearing these new sounds mixed with some nostalgia. The girls are coming and they are coming with a vengeance. God bless pop music forever. #lorde #kesha #gaga #mileycyrus #popmusic #recessionpop #2010s #lgbtq🏳️‍🌈 #gaytiktok ♬ What Was That - Lorde
@shira2285

We’re so back

♬ What Was That - Lorde
@glebullsugarfree

i have no one to talk about this but this is very important to me so here is a TikTok

♬ What Was That - Lorde
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