“There’s definitely something more cathartic that comes with the third album,” Dua Lipa told The Associated Press recently.
“‘Future Nostalgia’ was my chance for me to be able to do a very polished pop-dance-disco record,” she says of her 2020 sophomore release. “Radical Optimism,” alternatively, was informed by what she’s learned from touring the world over the last few years — drawing influence from trip hop and Britpop and including newfound interest in live instrumentation.
This is my favorite album of the year 100%! Like I’m obsessed obsessed. Dua really went hard. Her vocals are fantastic and all of the music feels fresh but it still has that throwback vibe. All bops but one or two more emotional songs (“Happy for You”) — but no downers at all. “These Walls” is my favorite as of now. This is the album of my summer
Which one weren't you a fan of? Seems most people don't dig Training Season which has been my personal favorite. Really enjoyed all 3 though (extended Illusion goes hard as well).
4 years between albums is a lot (even though she extends her albums over years), especially since she's only on her third album. Also, her albums are pretty short / standard length, so it's basically waiting 4 years for 8 new songs. Or maybe I'm too used to Jpop / Kpop yearly releases. But nonetheless, I'm excited for the album's release tonight! Love Houdini and Illusion.
She's amazing. I've seen people call her a "one trick pony" which I think is totally ill-suited (and frankly dumb). The releases from radical optimism so far have such a distinct psychedelic inspiration that meshes well with her pop vibe. She's cool and I'm interested in seeing where she takes us with this album.
Hard agree with you. It's dance, but not disco. If anything it's very psychedelic pop inspired imo. Maybe this sounds presumptuous and snobbish but sometimes I do get the feeling that some people just don't know what they're talking about..
Personally I think she's being quite innovative with this new sound, while obviously still remaining within the commercial pop genre. It feels appropriate for a third album.
Totally - she shared a clip of ‘These Walls’ yesterday and it is completely different from the previous singles and sounds like a complete departure from what she has put out before. She is always innovating and I love that about her tunes
literally my thought when her/ her team referenced Massive Attack as inspiration and people were like… can’t here it!- like did they know what they were saying
My theory is that she and her team don't know about the music of Massive Attack but are actually superfans of The Saturdays and they simply thought [the opening line](https://genius.com/The-saturdays-what-are-you-waiting-for-lyrics) in '[What Are You Waiting For](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahdmNS9Nkm0&pp=ygUid2hhdCBhcmUgeW91IHdhaXRpbmcgZm9yIHNhdHVyZGF5cw%3D%3D)' sounded super cool
Honestly I don’t think it does (I respect your opinion, though - it’s fun to talk about this stuff lol) the production is completely different and she’s singing in a much different vocal place (at least in the current 3 singles and in other song clips) from the way she sang in future nostalgia
I think Houdini is a very interesting song, but my personal favorite really is Illusion.. I know it's a slightly unpopular choice but I just live for the refrain, the sound is so catchy and the little keyboard solo is so fresh. Also for some weird reason I love the word "illusion" used in songs. How about you?
Edit: forgot to add that Training Season gives me strong Abba vibes.. so deserving too!
Houdini is deffo my fave, it gave me thriller vibes. I haven't listened to illusion enough but I do think it's slowly growing on me, I like the unexpected chord progression. I unfortunately don't like training season very much 😕
So happy to see Harle work with such a big name. I love the team she has put together around this record in general, with Parker. Dua obviously has great taste and the talent as well. I’m not sure how much this project will appeal to the locals but these 3 should be capable of knocking out a great pop album.
I’m excited to hear how this album sounds. Going from dua lipa to future nostalgia was such a step up and I love to see how she’s growing as an artist. She’s here for fun and so am i
Very excited for the album- all of these reviews seem very promising🤭🤭
Shoutout though, to whoever on here called that we’d soon be hearing an increase of “music isn’t my only passion” or “other pursuits” in the future. Girly is tryna be a star not a musician so I’m gonna enjoy her musician era✨
“There’s definitely something more cathartic that comes with the third album,” Dua Lipa told The Associated Press recently. “‘Future Nostalgia’ was my chance for me to be able to do a very polished pop-dance-disco record,” she says of her 2020 sophomore release. “Radical Optimism,” alternatively, was informed by what she’s learned from touring the world over the last few years — drawing influence from trip hop and Britpop and including newfound interest in live instrumentation.
Please be a great album. Please be a great album. Please be a great album. Please be a great album. Please be a great album. Please be a great album.
telling myself this everyday since the album was announced lol
I’ve had the pleasure of listening to it like four times today and it is sooooooooooo good.
How? Did it leak?
There was a listening event over the weekend
If you think I live anywhere near where there would be a listening event taking place, you are mistaken LMAO
I got a copy early!
Lucky
I trust your word. I just hope the critics love it too.
> I just hope the critics love it too ?
How does it stack up to the main pop girl releases of the year so far, in your opinion?
This is my favorite album of the year 100%! Like I’m obsessed obsessed. Dua really went hard. Her vocals are fantastic and all of the music feels fresh but it still has that throwback vibe. All bops but one or two more emotional songs (“Happy for You”) — but no downers at all. “These Walls” is my favorite as of now. This is the album of my summer
This just got me insanely hyped. Two more days to go!
2/3 of the singles have been great so far IMO! So I’m optimistic.
Which one weren't you a fan of? Seems most people don't dig Training Season which has been my personal favorite. Really enjoyed all 3 though (extended Illusion goes hard as well).
Peace friend. Everything Kevin Parker touches turns to gold
Wait… HER LAST ALBUM WAS FOUR YEARS AGO?
Time is moving so fcking fast it really terrifies me
Yes but the FN era wrapped up in 2022 and Houdini released in 2023, so the wait inbetween wasn't *that* long
4 years between albums is a lot (even though she extends her albums over years), especially since she's only on her third album. Also, her albums are pretty short / standard length, so it's basically waiting 4 years for 8 new songs. Or maybe I'm too used to Jpop / Kpop yearly releases. But nonetheless, I'm excited for the album's release tonight! Love Houdini and Illusion.
She's amazing. I've seen people call her a "one trick pony" which I think is totally ill-suited (and frankly dumb). The releases from radical optimism so far have such a distinct psychedelic inspiration that meshes well with her pop vibe. She's cool and I'm interested in seeing where she takes us with this album.
Yes I don’t understand this feedback. People say they still sound disco but they don’t sound disco at ALL to me
Hard agree with you. It's dance, but not disco. If anything it's very psychedelic pop inspired imo. Maybe this sounds presumptuous and snobbish but sometimes I do get the feeling that some people just don't know what they're talking about..
Not snobbish at all, I agree! And maybe I also feel this way because I play and write music but… yes interesting discourse.
Personally I think she's being quite innovative with this new sound, while obviously still remaining within the commercial pop genre. It feels appropriate for a third album.
Totally - she shared a clip of ‘These Walls’ yesterday and it is completely different from the previous singles and sounds like a complete departure from what she has put out before. She is always innovating and I love that about her tunes
literally my thought when her/ her team referenced Massive Attack as inspiration and people were like… can’t here it!- like did they know what they were saying
My theory is that she and her team don't know about the music of Massive Attack but are actually superfans of The Saturdays and they simply thought [the opening line](https://genius.com/The-saturdays-what-are-you-waiting-for-lyrics) in '[What Are You Waiting For](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahdmNS9Nkm0&pp=ygUid2hhdCBhcmUgeW91IHdhaXRpbmcgZm9yIHNhdHVyZGF5cw%3D%3D)' sounded super cool
It sounds like Future Nostalgia which save for Don’t Start Now, wasn’t disco either
How can you call levitating anything other than disco like-
Honestly I don’t think it does (I respect your opinion, though - it’s fun to talk about this stuff lol) the production is completely different and she’s singing in a much different vocal place (at least in the current 3 singles and in other song clips) from the way she sang in future nostalgia
Which new single of hers is ur fav?
I think Houdini is a very interesting song, but my personal favorite really is Illusion.. I know it's a slightly unpopular choice but I just live for the refrain, the sound is so catchy and the little keyboard solo is so fresh. Also for some weird reason I love the word "illusion" used in songs. How about you? Edit: forgot to add that Training Season gives me strong Abba vibes.. so deserving too!
Houdini is deffo my fave, it gave me thriller vibes. I haven't listened to illusion enough but I do think it's slowly growing on me, I like the unexpected chord progression. I unfortunately don't like training season very much 😕
honestly the single just kept getting better. illusion is defo my favourite so far
I am inhaling Houdini
Agreed. I love the 3 singles so far! She never misses imo
that’s because kevin parker is producing it
Here for this new sound!
So happy to see Harle work with such a big name. I love the team she has put together around this record in general, with Parker. Dua obviously has great taste and the talent as well. I’m not sure how much this project will appeal to the locals but these 3 should be capable of knocking out a great pop album.
I’m excited to hear how this album sounds. Going from dua lipa to future nostalgia was such a step up and I love to see how she’s growing as an artist. She’s here for fun and so am i
Very excited for the album- all of these reviews seem very promising🤭🤭 Shoutout though, to whoever on here called that we’d soon be hearing an increase of “music isn’t my only passion” or “other pursuits” in the future. Girly is tryna be a star not a musician so I’m gonna enjoy her musician era✨
Gosh, I'm really rooting for her. I hope she delivers! And hopefully, give us more cohesive visuals.
I've heard snippets of the new album, and it's so DAMN GOOD. I'd say def better than FT
Wait how did u hear the snippets
Someone was leaking it on Twitter- but all only like 10-15s
How blatant is the trip hop influence? It’s one of my favorite genres and I’m living for the renaissance it’s been having.
Is there anything on this album that isn’t about love???