World music phenom Dua Lipa has done it again. After a four-year drought of releasing new music, Dua Lipa has released her third studio album. The pop star has grown extremely popular for her hits “Levitating” (2020) and “New Rules” (2017). ‘Levitating’ especially was stuck in the world’s head for a solid two years, with some recalling it as the “song of the COVID era”.
Lipa has guest starred in several movies over the past few years, including the infamous “Barbie” movie of last summer. In “Barbie,” she has a short appearance playing “Barbie Mermaid” which some say was a hint at foreshadowing her new album, which has a theme of the ocean. She also wrote the song of the summer, “Dance the Night,” along with Mark Ronson, for “Barbie.” “Dance the Night” was added to the shortlist for the Oscars, and was nominated for a Golden Globe as well as several other awards. The release of “Dance the Night” had fans extremely excited for new music, which had been rumored for quite some time.
The first single of “Radical Optimism,” “Houdini,” was released on November 9th, 2023, 7 months before the album dropped on May 3rd, 2024. “Houdini” was an instant hit, hitting billboards during the first week of release. Dua Lipa has a specific style of pop, which not many other artists are able to create. Her style has been described as club music that makes you want to dance and cry at the same time. She often works with famous producers like Mark Ronson, Jeff Bhasker, and Ian Kirkpatrick. The underlying beats of her songs are extremely catchy, making her very popular and memorable.
Dua announced the drop of her second single for her album, “Training Season,” which was an even bigger hit than “Houdini.” “Training Season” has a unique underlying beat that sets it apart from her other hits. It is slower, and different because of how her songs are normally fast paced. She is expanding her range musically. “Training Season” is my personal favorite on the album, because of the amount of talent put into the song. Her vocals are extremely impressive and out of her comfort zone. The song explores her vocal range and tries something new.
The third single, “Illusion,” was released right before the album dropped. “Illusion” had fans feeling nostalgic, and suggesting that the song reminded them of her prior album, “Future Nostalgia”. Fans all over social media were comparing pictures of them when her hit “Levitating” was released in 2019, and pictures of them now when “Illusion” was released. They were pointing out how much has changed in the world and our lives since Dua Lipa last dropped music.
Some stand out tracks on “Radical Optimism” include “Happy for You,” “End of an Era,” and “These Walls.” Each are detailed, loving songs that make you want to dance and cry at the same time, living up to her reputation.
In my opinion, this album is well produced, well written, and an instant hit. It shows how Dua Lipa has matured and changed since her last album, and how incredibly talented she is. I absolutely recommend this album if you have liked her past albums, and even if you are open to trying something new.
