Critics described "Homemade Dynamite" as a R&B and synth-pop song with vocal sound effects, reverberated percussion, a staccato hook, electronic flourishes, synthesizers, and hip hop beats.

"Homemade Dynamite" received favourable reviews from music critics, who praised its strong lyrical content, Lorde's vocal delivery and its production.

While the track failed to match the success of the album's lead single, it had minor chart placements in Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

A remix version of the song featuring guest appearances by Khalid, Post Malone, and SZA was released as the third single from the album on 15 September 2017.

It performed modestly on international record charts, peaking at number 20 in New Zealand and at mid-tier positions in Canada and the Netherlands as well as 92 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

In an interview with The Spinoff, Lorde described "Homemade Dynamite" as the moment when "everyone's at a good level and maybe the sharp edges of the evening haven't quite shown themselves yet.

[2] The song was written in Los Angeles at a compound owned by Swedish producer Max Martin which Lorde called the "Gingerbread House".

[2] Critic Claire Shaffer felt the "cute" vocals on Purity Ring's 2012 song "Fineshrine" were a source of influence on "Homemade Dynamite".

Other personnel include songwriters Jakob Jerlström and Ludvig Söderberg, Kuk Harrell who provided vocal production, and producer Frank Dukes.

[6] It was described as a mid-tempo R&B[7] and synth-pop[8] song with vocal sound effects,[9] reverberated percussion,[10] a staccato hook,[11] electronic flourishes,[12] synthesizers,[13] and hip hop beats.

[16] Several publications interpreted the lines "Might get your friend to drive, but he can hardly see / we'll end up painted on the road in red and chrome, all the broken glass sparkling," as an imagery describing a car crash involving Lorde and her new crush.

Will Hermes of Rolling Stone called the song's "tiny explosion amid total silence" the most striking part of the album.

While Sputnikmusic was more favorable towards the song, the website did share similar sentiments on the track's "sense of familiarity", but stated that it was "quite strong and well-executed.

[39] During the performance, Lorde wore a "dazzling silver trousers and an embellished bodice-style top," which The Daily Telegraph noted to be a change in her wardrobe style.

It was met with conflicting reviews from critics and audiences,[44] with many calling it "bizarre" and Maroon 5 vocalist Adam Levine saying it was "utterly horrible";[45] it later became a meme.

Khalid, SZA and Post Malone wrote their own verses and Lorde changed parts of the chorus, moving the line "Now you know it's really gonna blow" to the end of the song as the outro.

"[58] Exclaim's Sarah Murphy said that the "additional verses put a fresh spin on the brooding pop track, while [also] retaining the undeniable infectiousness of the original" version.

Five finalists were announced before the reveal date: Aela Kae, Eilish Gilligan, Sweet Potato, Tone Youth and Vincent Sole.

[65] Lorde handpicked the winner, Sweet Potato, saying his submission reminded her of the chopped and screwed vocals she used as a beat in her 2013 song "Million Dollar Bills".