Dua Lipa is looking for love. It's not some kind of toxic fling or fleeting romance: she wants real, old-school love. “We all have too many options/Remember when we used to do anything for love?” she asks on “Anything for Love,” her mid-tempo breakdown track that appears toward the end of radical optimismLipa's third studio album, which arrived at the stroke of midnight on Friday (May 3).
Love has always been at the core of Lipa's being, dating back to the conflicted feelings about heartbreak she expressed on her 2017 self-titled debut album with songs like the apologetic “Be the One,” the instructive “New Rules” and the carefree “IDGAF”. When 2020 Nostalgia for the future When she arrived, Lipa was 24 years old and love was about fun and relationships made her feel like “Levitating,” as the hit single captured.
However, four years have passed since Nostalgia for the future, and the pop superstar is now older. At 28 years old, she knows what she wants in a relationship and is willing to settle down. As she playfully put it on radical optimismThe second single, “Training Season is Over.” She said Zane Lowe from Apple Music that, for her, maturity in love means that you learn what your “non-negotiables” are and how to move forward healthily. “You have to be in the act of forgiving, growing and learning, and being okay with the past so you can move forward with what comes next,” she explained.
Of many ways, radical optimism She feels like her older sister. Nostalgia for the future. She's smarter and knows better than to let a relationship take over her, but she's still a hopeless romantic waiting for that eternal love she's looking for, all while she makes her fans dance to an infectious disco beat. pop.
While everyone radical optimism It's worth a listen, there are some clear early highlights. Here's a ranking of all 11 tracks from Dua Lipa's latest album.
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“Falling forever”
Lipa wants the honeymoon phase of a relationship to continue, and she highlights that feeling of longing with a chorus of hymns. Production-wise, “Falling Forever” is a classic pop song, and while it's sure to become a favorite of some die-hard fans, it doesn't particularly stand out compared to the rest of the album.
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“These walls”
While Lipa's vocal talent is undeniable, “These Walls” strips back a bit of her typically danceable melodies to let the natural emotion of her voice come through. With raw vulnerability radiating throughout the chorus, the song feels like an adult version of something that could have appeared on her self-titled debut album.
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“Maria”
Lipa knows that many times it is the woman who teaches the man to love correctly. In “Maria,” she thanks her man’s ex-girlfriend for trying. “Now he's all I ever wanted / I want to thank you for everything you've done,” she expresses in the second verse over a thumping bass line, putting a refreshing and healthy spin on how one might perceive her boyfriend's life. Ex lover.
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“All for love”
The album's mid-tempo ballad-turned-jazz breaks down the theme of the entire album, which is the search for real, lasting love. “Do you remember when we used to do anything for love?” he asks on the track, ruling out any frivolous romance, while taking a more serious note than “Training Season,” but with the same conviction.
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“Training season”
Tell him, Dua! In “Training Season,” the star is fed up with men disappointing her and she signals that it's time to stop training and move up to the big leagues. If the lyrics aren't motivating enough, the thumping bass should do the trick.
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“What are you doing”
Although much of radical optimism falls into Lipa’s tried and true disco-tinged dance-pop wheelhouse, “Whatcha Doing” adds a layer of funk to the mix. It's gorgeous, seductive, and a great change of pace mid-album.
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“Happy for you”
Growth is a beautiful feeling, and Lipa captures the album's theme of maturity in its ethereal, mid-paced closer. “I must love you more than I ever knew / 'Cause I'm happy for you,” she realizes in the chorus, understanding that having true love for a person means you root for them even after your time together ends. It's the perfect sentiment to close the album on a radically optimistic note.
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“Mirage”
If the entire album wasn't catchy enough, “Illusion” has entered the chat. The psychedelic-tinged dance production amplifies the rave-ready chorus, allowing the single to capture what fans love most about Lipa: she'll make you dance, whether you want to or not.
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“French exit”
“French Exit” seems to provide more context to “Houdini,” backed by an elegant guitar riff. “Goodbye doesn't hurt if I don't say it,” he reflects on the act of breaking up, cutting off and disappearing from him. In addition to the clever songwriting, the simpler song showcases Lipa's versatility as an artist, confirming that her musical experimentation with this album paid off.
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“The end of an era”
Open radical optimism, Lipa lives in a dream. With upbeat harmonies and a smooth tropical house beat, the pop star reflects on a happily-ever-after type of romance with her latest suitor. “I've lost all my senses/Is this my happy ending?” she asks hopefully in the pre-chorus, setting the tone for an overall suitably upbeat album.
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“Houdini”
It was the lead single for a reason. The thumping beat, '80s-inspired synths, and uplifting way she sings “Houdini” combine to create an undeniably catchy hook that Dua is particularly masterful at: it represents both a continuation and growth of Nostalgia for the future. While the song's subject is one of the most famous escape artists of all time, “Houdini” makes it clear that Dua isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
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