Lorde's new album release date may be nearer than we think after a mysterious new ad featuring the Kiwi musician has surfaced.

The brief 12-second ad, aired on a New Zealand TV station today, features the singer sipping from a drink and eating snacks on a bus or train of some kind, as a short, lively piano refrain plays over the top.

The text on the screen then flashes up '3.2.17 NYC' and '3.3.17 NZ', leading many to believe that new music of some sort - be it an album or a song - is imminent this Thursday and Friday.

Watch the ad and peoples' reactions below: