Radical Optimism

Dua Lipa

explicit

Released on 03/05/2024 by Warner Records
Main artists: Dua Lipa
Genre: Pop

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Dua Lipa's third album is exactly the liberation a lot of people will want this summer: top-down, windows-open, skin-baring vibes. She has said the goal was to "capture the essence of youth and freedom and having fun"; it's hardly an innovative one but Lipa's good at it. Likewise, Radical Optimism doesn't feel like something you haven't heard before, but it's packaged in a shiny way that makes all the familiar parts sound pretty fresh. "End of an Era" is a shimmering, feel-good party track—marveling over a kiss as a life-changing drug—with a Blondie-style "rap" breakdown. It's maybe the most Tame Impala-ish of the 11 songs, and that's significant because Kevin Parker is a key producer, co-writer and instrumentalist on Radical Optimism (along with writers Danny L Harle, Tobias Jesso Jr. and Caroline Ailin, who was also behind Lipa's 2017 hit "New Rules"). There's less disco here than you might expect, and more of a Euro-pop sheen. With its power drums and diva rallying cry, "Falling Forever" sounds straight from the Eurovision stage. "Houdini" is a slick, hard-edged earworm. "Illusion" offers dance-floor levity. "French Exit" is Mediterranean sultry. "Training Season" summons the irresistibility of both Kylie Minogue and ABBA. Breezy "Maria," featuring Polynesian flute, finds Lipa sounding truly—not sarcastically or bitchily—grateful for a lover's ex and lessons learned: "Maria, I know you're gone/ But I feel ya when we're alone." Before the album's release, much was made about Lipa saying she had been researching "psychedelia, trip hop, and Britpop." But don't bother looking for any Oasis or Massive Attack nods, because they're not here. There are very light psychedelic touches on the doomed-love bounce-along "These Walls"; however, what really stands out is that Lipa sounds great: more confident and relaxed than on 2019's massive Future Nostalgia, which was fun but also sweaty with something to prove. Clocking in under two-and-a-half minutes, (initially) acoustic piano ballad "Anything for Love" is an intriguing glimpse at a warmer, more emotive alternate-universe Lipa. A co-write with Julia Michaels, it's reminiscent of that songwriter's compelling work with Selena Gomez and leaves 'em wanting more. Radical Optimism's gloss may fade by the end of summer, but enjoy it for now. © Shelly Ridenour/Qobuz

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Radical Optimism

Dua Lipa

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End Of An Era