When the internet collectively dubbed Dua Lipa the “Queen of Vacanza” for her frequent holidays, what they didn't realize was the languid Ibiza sun and friendly poolside By soaking up the atmosphere, the pop megastar was hiding something actually important. Base. 2020's global blockbuster Future Nostalgia concocted a dizzying '80s-meets-disco fantasy by a pop genius, but it did more to elevate her than her somewhat spotty debut. , which catapulted her to an entirely different level of top-level excellence with “Radical.” An optimist, Dua connected her music GPS and headed out, sunscreen in hand. The “Training Season” is over and the OOO response is set to “Continental Beach Break”.
Gathering around her a talented team of synth wizards and feel-good euphoric maestros, you can see how the musical language of “Radical Optimism” was born. Credited throughout include Tame Impala's Kevin Parker, sepia-toned singer-turned-songwriter-turned-star (Adele, Miley, Harry, etc.) Tobias Jesso Jr, and PC Music alumnus Danny L Harle. is. Packed with bright, deft production and the kind of fluttering melodies made to be played in the heat of the midday sun, it's perfect for the frenetic climax of “Houdini” or the breezy softness of “Anything for.” In the second half of the lock, you can see the traces of each. the vibrant dance floor pulse of “Love” or “Training Season” respectively;
Combined with the teaser photo posted by the writing room, there is a lightheartedness to the whole thing. It looks more like a group of friends getting together to film something than a hardcore pop boot camp. In fact, from the group's cheers of “One, Two, Three, Wheyyyyy” on opener “End of an Era,” it's as if “Radical Optimism” had opened the garden gate to a summer party and let everyone in. It's: a potentially unexpected tone – a record-setter considering the more intense thrills of singles released to date.
These previously dropped songs (“Houdini,” “Training Season,” “Illusion”) are more It makes sense as a stubborn song. After the conclusion of an album completely centered around the tumultuous happenings of the mind. But while bigger doesn't necessarily mean better, there remains a feeling that Dua has already played her main card. Whereas nearly every song on “Future Nostalgia” ended up as a single, it's hard to imagine the same happening here. With the exception of the sinuous basslines of the aforementioned “End of an Era” and “Whatcha Doing,” I imagine the rest of these songs starting off at the top of Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage, just like their predecessors. difficult to do (though the props have to be the best). 'Falling Forever' – a true extra cut that could find a second home at Eurovision if Worthy Farm doesn't work out).
In some ways, Radical Optimism is a victim of the astronomically high bar Dua set for herself with LP2—an album that reigned supreme both critically and commercially, earning her a Grammy. Not only did it garner an award win and a Mercury Prize nomination, but it also garnered very high streaming numbers overall. There are tracks here that can compete, especially “Training Season,” but there are also ideas that feel lacking. “Anything for Love” starts strong but ends like a half-baked demo, but lyrically every song is about love and lovers. My heart hurts and breaks.
Dua Lipa remains one of Britain's greatest pop stars. You only need to watch her towering gravity-defying man at this year's Brit to know that. But while her long-awaited third album has plenty of sunny, optimistic sounds, there's not much in the way of extremes.