Lorde has messaged her fans after a lengthy period under the radar, telling them she's missed them and revealing there's new music on the way.
The Kiwi singer has developed a habit of writing intimate letters in place of social media posts and her latest correspondence is an update on isolation, her third album and the reasons why she stepped out of the spotlight.
Lorde, real name Ella Yellich-O'Connor, acknowledged the "wild time" that the COVID-19 pandemic had created in everyone's lives.
She praised Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, albeit not by name. "I feel so grateful for such calm, sensible leadership by our Government, now more than ever," she wrote.
After grieving the loss of her beloved dog Pearl, Lorde shared that she started going back into the studio in December, "just for something to do".
"To my surprise, good things came out. I felt my melodic muscles flexing and strengthening."
The 'Green Light' hitmaker said producer Jack Antanoff visited her in New Zealand and they began collaborating on music together once more.
"A thing started to take shape. And then, of course, the world shut down," she said.
Lorde said she and Antanoff have continued to FaceTime and work together during the pandemic, but that it would take a little longer for something to be released.
"I want nothing more than to feed you treats, pop perfect morsels straight into your little mouths," she said.
"But as I get older I realise there's something to be said for the pleasant feeling of waiting for something of quality to become available to you. In my opinion, the greatest treat I can give you is work that will last 10, 20, 30 years. And that kind of work takes time.
"So if you can, I'd like for you to try tuning in to the time spent waiting for something of the highest quality to arrive."
The 23-year-old Grammy winner also opened up about her struggles with touring, explaining why she needed to take a break from live shows.
"I was finding the combination of brutal stage fright and having no fixed home and no connection with what I ate or where I lived extremely grim."
Lorde said a period of time making food, growing vegetables, going to the beach and kicking her "social media addiction" put her back on track, and she's now keen to play music festivals again, when the rules allow.
"I want to devastate," she continued. "I want to see a huge line of you outside my hotel. I want to hug you all, and hold your hands."
Lorde concluded by assuring her fans her new work was "f**king good".
"I am truly jazzed for you to hear it."
