In 2018, a YouTube commenter named Tobias shared his now-legendary thoughts on Dua Lipa performing “New Rules” at the Brit Awards: “I love her lack of energy. Go girl, don't give us anything!
The comment quickly transcended Lipa's orbit and became Internet vernacular for a less-than-stellar performance, red carpet adjustment, or new release. The comment could very well have changed Lipa's life; Whether or not she saw the meme or cared about the impact of it, she has transformed into a truly formidable, athletic and confident performer.
Four years have passed since Nostalgia for the future made Dua Lipa a household name, and radical optimism, his third studio album, is his first declaration as a superstar. The opener, “End of an Era,” is a dreamy, somewhat cinematic introduction to the project: Lipa floats in and out of her falsetto at the top of her register against a backdrop of quiet flutes. There's a delightful push and pull between the woodwinds and the pulsing rhythm; “Another girl falls in love / Another girl leaves the club,” she sings.
Two of the album's pre-release singles, “Houdini” and “Training Season,” are back-to-back, and when the third single, “Illusion,” arrives, it stands out even more. Here radical optimism It feels like a delirium, from the confusing melodic repetition of the chorus to the demanding backbeat. The keyboard focus is euphoric.
But his ability to reach such heights makes for the least exciting moments of the show. radical optimism more noticeable. Those explosive club elements are absent on “These Walls,” a harmless but somewhat forgettable midtempo track. “French Exit” is the only other miss here, failing to take off from an upbeat guitar base.
Many other moments shine, such as the brilliant “Whatcha Doing,” which could have been lifted from Carly Rae Jepsen's recent discography (one of the highest forms of compliment this writer could conjure up). “Whatcha Doing” also features some genuinely great vocals from Lipa, and the same could be said for the anthem “Falling Forever,” where the club beat hits again.
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