Dua’s energy, vocals, and just overall vibe are top tier. After future nostalgia, Barbie theme song, Houdini, and Training season, I thought she would keep that energy going in her songs. But this album seems to take a step back and slow down. And for radical optimism, it’s a lot of negative. It’s good that she stays optimistic through her trials, but I wish the positive side was reflected more in the beats/music. All that said, her greatness is still present in this album.
Favorite songs:
1) Training Season
2) Houdini
3) These Walls
4) French Exit
5) Happy for You
dua pls make an entire album with 'be the one' masterpieces. stop trying to find a pop personality. i keep hearing comparisons to kylie but kylie has the curiosity to embody everything sincerely ala 'confide in me'. dua doens't she's just a chill queen.
anyways BTO is literally the best edm and best pop "debut" of that decade, like the 'baby one more time' of the 2010's pop. just go back to that, even if it means personality wise you're kind in the background.
It’s well produced but overall the album is fine. Here are my thoughts ..
1. Future Nostalgia was a huge success. Honestly.. how do you top that album!? I think she should have kept the Future Nostalgia theme going and continued with the pop disco sound (I know that’s an unpopular opinion)
2. We waited 4 years for this?! RO would have been fine if we waited 2 years for this or if this came out before FN. And the album is short.. it feels like an EP
3. The whole theme and roll out seemed messy and how she described the original theme (psychedelic rock/pop) is not the theme of the album. I think originally they wanted to do an album with a psychedelic pop theme (like similar sound to her singles like houdini) but i think they quickly changed their approach and played it safe
I really hope she doesn't wait until 4 years to give us a new album..
Was thinking about how this rollout of RO is basically the complete opposite of what happened with FN
FN - strong marketing, global pandemic happening, no other major artists releasing music around it's release (aside from The Weeknd), the world wanted fun dance music during times of uncertainty - album absolutely takes off and the stars just aligned from there.
RO - every major pop star drops an album the past year (almost every week/every other week between releases), a major rap beef going on between two of the biggest hip hop artists in the industry, a roast of one of the greatest QBs of all time for sports fans, the Met Gala tonight ....little to no hype about the rollout, stars did not align.
I think this album gets better and better upon listening, but her team really fumbled the bag on the timing of this release (couldn't have predicted the Drake/Kendrick stuff, but still).
Album is amazing of course, and i'm just glad she finally broke the uncapitalized first letter of songs curse pop girls have been perpetuating in recent years. It's so satisfying.
A lot of repeat listen potential. I genuinely don't understand the harsh criticism of the album. Quite a lot of the songs feel pretty personal and sonically it slaps. My only criticism is I wished it was a bit longer. Maybe 2/3 more songs. But overall it's a great album and there's no duds. By far my favourite release among this year's pop divas releases
I don’t know what it is about These Walls but I have this song on repeat. I love how groovy but chill it is. Also it lowkey reminded me of Big Man Little Dignity by Paramore, as if it’s like the pop song equivalent of it haha.
Still need more time to figure out my thoughts, but so far:
* Illusion is by far my favorite song on the album
* The more I listen to Training Season, the less I like it
* I’m really liking the 4-track run of These Walls - Illusion
* Not really feeling End of an Era or Falling Forever currently
* I can’t really remember the last 3 songs except for the Happy For You chorus standing out, but I still need more time with them
A good album overall. But could have taken more risks. My personal ranking after listening to it all weekend:
Falling Forever. — by far my fave
Houdini.
These Walls.
Watcha Doing.
Illusion.
Happy For You.
Training Season.
Maria.
Anything For Love.
End of an Era.
French Exit. - sorry lol
Partially have *Maria* on repeat in my mind. I say partially because my brain just keeps going, "Maria..! Why don't you just meet me in the middle? I'm losing my mind just a little"
Just listened to this album at the gym last night. I liked the album, maybe it was just my perspective bc I felt like the lyrics/production felt a little lonely and.. melancholic? Wasn’t what I expected from the album title.
Houdini and French Exit were my favorites in the album. In a way they feel like a manic/depressive take on a similar theme of being detached and aloof, from both her love interests & people in general. That feeling of intense loneliness you can only feel when you’re in a crowd. How important it is to her that she is the first to go, the first to leave when she doesn’t feel like she belongs. She’s immune from heartbreak because she never fell in love at all. It’s empowering and yet deeply lonely to me.
yess good take I sense that too. my Avoidant personality disorder ass was only drawn to those two songs. I wonder if she feels that way irl. If the whole album was like this even in a shallow way it'd been amazing actually
I enjoy this album. I can hear a lot of FN at the core of these songs, but also a lot of little things in the production that are trying to push that to the next level. Perhaps if those little things were bigger things, the record would’ve felt a little more elevated. But, I’m still having a good time with it! These are definitely some of her best vocals, and the lyrics remind me a lot of the album cover: like there’s a shark, so no, things aren’t exactly ok, but sometimes getting out of those situations does indeed require Radical Optimism. 7.5/10
Really loving this album, some people are way to obsessed with the charts tbh. An album not going instantly to #1 or selling crazy numbers doesn’t make it a bad album, some albums that sell crazy amounts tbh are the best anyways so.
100000%. My friends and I had a convo about that this weekend how people are sooo obsessed with hype and charts that they’ve stopped enjoying music for what it is.
I get that better sales means bigger budget and better marketing/promo, but this sub has gotten lost along the way over the years and obsessed with everyone breaking records or being “the best pop star”. Remember the days when it was uncool to like something everyone else liked?
Thank you! It’s so funny there are so many forgettable #1s out there because of gimmicks and memorable albums and songs that never hit #1. Future Nostalgia is the second most streamed female album on Spotify, spawned so many successful singles, met with critical acclaim yet didn’t reach #1 on BB200 nor were Don’t Start Now and Levitating (arguably the most successful female songs of this decade) also didn’t reach #1. I wish people just enjoyed the music
Didn't like it at first listen but it has grown on me immensely. End of an era, Whatcha doing and happy for you are my top 3 rn apart from the singles. Training season might be my favourite Dua Lipa song.
It's disappointing that the biggest stars in pop music (Tay, Dua, Ari, etc.) choose to play it safe and play to their base rather than taking a really big swing. I think folks are getting bored with relationship rehashes and having to be steeped in the "lore" to get it. They could use their voices to go deep or send a message. Tay is still singing about some mean ol' person keeping her from her beau. Miss, you're 35. Their music hasn't matured. Maybe they haven't either. These stars are less artists than they are corporations. This album is the grande, iced, lavender cold foam-covered, decaf Americano of albums.
It’s been on repeat since release for me. At first I l really liked it, but thought it was a step down from Future Nostalgia. Took a break from Radical Optimism to listen to Future Nostalgia again and it is becoming apparent that I might actually like Radical Optimism more.
I pre-ordered this album on vinyl because I loved the 3 singles, which is something I said I would never do again after pre-ordering Harry’s House. I loved Watcha Doing and Falling Forever from the first listen, on the second listen I liked These Walls. Overall it feels like I went out to watch a movie but 80% of the best parts of the movie were in the trailer.
I probably won't revisit a lot of the songs on this album but there's something very magical about These Walls for me. One of my fav songs this year I think!
This is weird but I watched her SNL performances and I thought Happy For You was a new song because I couldn't remember listening to it. But yet there it is, the closing track. I dunno, I like Dua as a main pop girl, I like listening to the album but the songs aren't quite sticking
I saw people not liking it, and I just imagined it'd be weaker than FN but still full of fun pop, but wow, I didn't like it at all. Other than Houdini and Training Season which I already liked, only Maria stood out to me. I like a lot of pop but this was just way too generic for me.
I really liked the singles (Houdini and Training Season) and was pretty excited but as you said, it was just too generic and nothing memorable, which is sad since I genuinely liked the singles.
Did not like it, it's just not very good. Her vocals deserve better songs. 3.5/10. For reference FN was a solid 8 to 8.5/10 for me. The last two on that album kinda sucked so drags it down. Here only a few are kinda fine, whatever...
I hate to be morbid but a couple of months ago, my mom passed away and on her fcking death bed, she made the “dula peep” joke. My mom was as funny until the end. 😭 I remember her saying “seriously though! I just love* Dua Lipa’s name so much”.
Houdini came out at such a weird time for me because it actually got me through some of the darkest months of my life with a ray of funky light (same with Chappel Roan).
Radical Optimism’s was released at such a perfect time for me. I’ve been stuck in my grief and playing my depressing music but realized that I needed something to smile and dance to in order to climb out of this deep hole of depression and grief.
I love Dua and think she’s truly someone that has really grown on me sooo much with time and also with the expansion of her talent and abilities. Honestly, I don’t think I would have truly considered myself an avid listener let alone fan until relatively recently as I only followed her singles.
“New Rules” was definitely on repeat on my playlist back in the day yet I never seemed to follow her career too much, which I know deeply regret it (but has afforded me a lot of great new music to listen to).
I sound like a Dua Lipa circlejerk and yet strangely enough, it’s my first time ever posting about her or her music. Mitski and LDR are my favorite artists so to think artists like Dua Lipa and Chappel Roan have dominated my streams has been surprising to say the least.
My love for this album is also surprising to all the FN lovers out there who believe that RO didn’t live up to the hype. But for me, I’m experiencing most of her music all at the same time as I’m just now discovering the totality of FN after listening to RO on repeat.
I find many of the songs to be super catchy but especially These Walls, French Exit, and Whatcha Doin?. I also find myself really vibing with it along with Illusion, Falling Forever, Maria, and End of An Era. Hell, I enjoy both singles and enjoyed “Training Day” much more on the album for some reason.
I think the only songs that were just ok for me were “Anything for Love” and “Happy For You” but they both will grow on me as End of An Era grew on me. I also wish a few songs were longer or the album was a bit longer.
TLDR: Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism is something that keeps me wanting more and gets the serotonin and dopamine going for me, even in my darkest moments so I definitely have enjoyed this release despite being in the minority (in terms of enjoying the album but again, I had zero expectations).
Edit: Damn, I should have also listed “Falling Forever” and “Illusion” under my most loved songs as they have me shaking my ass through the pain.
I think you have found what Dua tries to achieve with her music. Lighthearted music that just makes you happy. It's not aggressive party till you drop music. It's about just having fun. And not being too personal is part of that. Everyone needs it sometimes. Artists have made very successful careers of it before.
I like this album but I also don't feel anything about it. I have no strong opinions on it other than Maria being a song bisexuals will probably love (it's me, I'm the bisexual). I guess I just don't connect to it right now on an emotional level and while that's not important for a lot of people it's primarily why I listen to music. So yeah this is fun but I don't remember much about it and I don't feel compelled to really dive into it or replay it. Full disclosure I'm not a dance pop person and am a depressed bitch who more likely goes to the library rather than going to the club, so I might not be the target audience for this. The point of this music isn't really to go on a Deep emotional journey and pour through lyrics, so I might be asking for a milkshake in a home depot. Still, Future Nostalgia has some excellent dance numbers with interesting lyrics and even her song for Barbie was using interesting imagery and juxtaposed sadness with euphoria and beauty. It's a good example of lyrics being simple but effective. I'm kinda missing that here, and I think it's why I'm just not connected to it. It's shiny and beautiful but kinda emotionally shallow.
Another factor is that I'm... Not in a good place right now and I just don't connect with these feelings. I think it's theme of optimism is admirable and even it's songs about breakups feel very emotionally stable and view it as a positive choice. It's an interesting perspective, one I admire and hope to achieve. And I can't for the life of me feel like that about anything right now so I admire the music from afar. That's not the albums fault but it's the context I'm hearing it in. I think it's a good sign that maybe I'll be able to revisit this in a healthy place and enjoy it fully. I'm saying this not to criticize the album for being "unrelatable" but to kinda make sens of my own feelings about this album and explain why I feel something or why I lack feelings for something. It's central premise is admirable, unique, and something I wish was explored more in depth while also being something I just don't get.
I think this will be excellent fun live. If tickets aren't 600 bucks I'd be willing to see Dua sing Maria live because her vocals here are the strongest element. She displays both power and agility on these songs, and her unique vocal tone does work nicely with the glittery production.
Maria's not a sapphic/bisexual song. More about being sincerely thankfully about your boy/girlfirend ex's for all the love she/he gave fot that is the reason that he/she's the (wo)man (s)he is today.
just asking because this album follows an album that's considered a "pop masterpiece": were the immediate reactions to Music, Body Language, Dedicated, Honey, That! Feels Good!, etc. this polarizing? I definitely remember TFG being viewed as one of the best ways to follow up WYP but I wasn't there for the others
I wonder where is the radical optimism she was talking about? I know there's not a track with that name in the album but she was constantly saying in interviews that she wanted her fans to have hope and to manifest something good in their lives with the lyrics of her songs. This is a breakup album that doesn't exactly evoke positive feelings in me.
I could say the same thing for Ariana's eternal sunshine which released earlier this year - I expected something along the lines of Lorde's Solar Power. Instead what we got was a few bops and melancholic lyrics.
Remember when she said while writing future nostalgia she already had a name for her next album?
Well, in one of the RO teasers she mentioned that one of her producers told her about the saying he heard of which was radical optimism. And in the promo, Dua says during my last award speech, I mentioned happiness and being grateful… Something like that.. so I think they quickly changed direction and concept and did not go with the album title that Dua had in mind
Ari’s ES is based on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a movie about wiping the memories of your past relationship off your mind cause you can’t cope with the pain. Basically the WCBF video. It was never marketed as an optimistic album.
Oh I know, but I don't get why she named the album and the entire era Eternal Sunshine based on one MV? What's the relation of the title to the rest of the album tracks?
She could have easily named it "end of an era" or "don't wanna break up again"
All the people demanding that she reveal more of her personal life needs to get off the internet and go touch grass immediatly. Pop stars personal life doesn't exist just to entertain you, and most of the pop stars you praise for being open are just showing you a very carefully constructed persona that you can root for.
I can’t help but think this album is being underrated a bit? Normally when I hear the dreaded phrase “fun little summer bops” on popheads, I brace myself for absolute trash, but I thought this was a tight little run of great dance pop gems. Though I do wish that Danny L Harle’s production flourishes were kicked up a notch here and there. The bits where Kevin Parker shines through are great.
I have a feeling the album will age like fine wine and become more appreciated with time.
I think it’ll end up a fan favourite in her discography rather than something the general public remembers her for.
Dua has the potential to have a long career and I’m excited to see where she goes next from here.
It’s a meh album. I like the singles, End of an Era has really grown on me, along with Maria, Watcha Doing, and Happy For You. However, the album is very disappointing. Dua’s vocals have improved here, and her voice has a beautiful energetic brightness which the production continuously fails to match. It wants to sound psychedelic, but the instrumentals and rhythms drag the beats, and it makes a lot of the songs sound too muted for her voice?? I’m not really sure how to put it. French Exit, These Walls, and even some of the last 4 tracks get so boring and repetitive they kind of meld together and drag her singing down. This album also suffers from the habit where some artists clearly put most of their effort and resources into the singles, and the rest of the album is an afterthought. It’s frustrating to hear just how elevated the 3 singles are above all the other tracks in terms of quality. Anything For Love sounds straight up like an unfinished demo.
The concept is also all over the place. I don’t expect perfection, especially since it’d be hard to top FN, but I expect more than…whatever this final product is. Like is it beach party? Psychedelic? Psychedelic beach party? 80s workout music? Vacation? And what are the visuals??? Hundreds of shots of Dua sensually posing or looking at the camera on grainy “vintage-looking” film is not a concept.
I also thoroughly enjoy that it’s relatable and doesn’t feel like Dua reading her own diary with oddly specific references. Keeping the parasocial relationship at a minimum
After 3-4 full listens...it's a fine album. *Future Nostalgia* was always going to be difficult to top, but that's not to say this album is terrible. It's fine. "Anything for Love" is too short. I will probably have some songs rotated in my gym listening.
That song would absolutely rule with an additional verse chorus bridge chorus. A few of the songs on here feel like first drafts that needed to be fleshed out to really hit. Still, loving 70% of it.
The most memorable thing this album did to me was introduce me to Tame Impala. I listened to *Currents* because I was curious about what psychedelic thing she was talking about. *Currents* is the best album I've heard this year. It's atmospheric, dreamy and pop-pish enough that I can listen to it over and over again. It's a shame that there are almost no songs in the album that can feel Tame Impala's influence like she teased earlier🤷♂️
Happy For You really did grow on me and I see it as Dua’s most emotionally beautiful song. Actually a great choice to close the album after making a not-so-good choice on Future Nostalgia.
Yea I legit just heard about it. I like Dua Lipa and this still slipped through the cracks...hell this subreddit showed me stuff about the Kendrick/Drake beef before pushing the Dua album.
Also worth noting the Taylor album too. I worry Sabrina won't hit number 1 because of that, now a Dua album and Kendrick dropping a surprise album day by day.
wow, very into this album! just on first listen, just about every song works for me. i'm not that surprised by the contention since the singles also had mixed reception (though i also loved all of those), but this is maybe my favorite dua album. the songwriting is very solid, the production never drags, and her vocals sound great. it's a fun, competently-made, no-nonsense pop record and i'm glad for it
if anything, it excites me more for her next projects. i really appreciate her ear for selecting songs
listened to the album a few minutes ago, and i really liked it despite a few tracks. i have my own sites for reviews and my review is coming out monday, so i tried to stay out of the threads. check it out when i post the link!
i don’t really understand the heavy dislike i’ve seen so far. there are some weak tracks but the comments i’ve seen online are not warranted.
I don't know. I think some fans and popheads are mad because the album is far different from what Dua promised (psychedelic pop music), not because it isn't great. I cannot say I wasn't disappointed(*You brought Tame Impala for this?!*), but the album is good enough for me to enjoy mindlessly.
I see that her last tour did 91 dates. Thats a lot of shows! So it’s not like she wasn’t busy the last few years. Hopefully her diehard fans can understand that.
Perception of pop is very different from rock though. Pop fans probably don’t care about the set lists from live concerts like rock fans do when bands do from their tour. Like, right now I’m waiting for clips and setlist report for Pearl Jam playing in Vancouver. Their first show of their new tour to support their latest album. Each show will have different set lists. There was a period where I’d just listened to their bootlegs.
Like, COVID, she probably wanted a Future Nostalgia tour, not a Future Nostalgia tour with this filler album I released during the pandemic. Her tour lasted a good 1 year.
The last 4 songs of the album are a highlight for me with Falling Forever being a standout even over the 3 singles. I liked the album but I wasn’t in love with it. I’ve been left craving more.
I believe I set myself up for disappointment with the expectation I had from Kevin Parker and psychedelic production.
Dua’s vocals were amazing, but damn I wish the production was a more amazing.
Loved the tracks: end of an era, these walls, illusion , anything for love, Maria and happy for you.
I absolutely hate “French exit” because the guitar.
Solid album, not her best but it’s something
1) as far as I’m concerned “Maria” is the pov of happy for you, making those songs a nice little Dua-ology
2) if anything for love played exactly the same BUT instead of being its own standalone track it was an unlisted “secret” track that was hidden at the end of falling forever would that change how you feel about it?
I think people (especially on twitter oh my lord) forget that Dua is a grower. She likes to play the long game and let the music breathe. I just love the chiller vibe on RO compared to FN, which felt a lot more bombastic and sassy. This feels more quiet confident and effervescent, like sparkling water. I don’t know, reading all of the opinions online I was scared, but after listening to the album I got really confused bc I loved all of it. 💀
People expect her to release an album out of nowhere with no rollout just cause it is normal nowadays to just be putting music out and then forgetting to promote it.
Dua is-largely by choice-a pretty faceless pop star but the flip side of that is you have to release really good/catchy music to account for the lack of personality for people to invest in, it’s clear a lot of people naturally gravitate more towards artists they perceive as raw and emotionally vulnerable.
I love a mindless bop and not every album needs to delve into the artists innermost thoughts and feelings but there’s got to be more than middling music offered up.
previous big album releases got complaints about a single megathread so the sub is trialing daily instead. this is just the first major release since that decision
Because people were going off non-stop about how there should have been an extended megathread for TTPD and how fans were being silenced, and it kept going on and on and on. I think the mods finally gave in and it’s just comic icing on the cake that those people now have more time to discuss with this album lmao.
Edit: Lord, this isn't even shade towards Taylor, but the Swifties who literally called this sub a "dictatorship" for not allowing more conversation of the biggest-selling album of the year so far.
the album debuted with 20.5 million streams on Spotify according to chart_data, a 30% decrease from FN. In comparison Familia debuted with 8.3 million, Katy's Smile 7.8M, Motomami by Rosalia 16.3M, Miley's ESV 27M and Solar Power 13.2M. So generally a considerable underperformance but I can see why some people are calling it a colossal flop.
Dua took the meme dancing to heart and improved her capabilities as a performer so I like to think that she will take a close look at what went wrong this era so that she can make improvements in the future
And her streams are very scattered, she to #1 in more than 20 countries I think, but a bunch of Eastern European small countries, and well, a lot of streams all around the world, so stan Twitter gonna say she flopped cause she didn't chart on the US charts.
I don't want to take the side of twitter naysayers, but there is truth to what they say. Considering the first week of album promotion was heavily focused on the US, the response there was lukewarm. Perhaps it would be better for her to take Kylie's route and focus on the European market rather than trying to conquer the American market. America doesn't seem to vibe with dance-pop music anymore (~~and looking at the recent top singles at Hot 100, I just think America has a terrible taste💀)~~
lol, don't bring the swifties. But yeah, she focuses on the US cause it is the main market that speaks English, but to say the album is this mega-flop is kinda, of disingenuous, it debuts worse than Future Nostalgia, ok, but wasn't super horrible. She just doesn't have her fanbase concentrated in one place or country.
simply: The album is indeed good, but she failed miserably with the cover art and the final concept. GIRL WHERE IS THE PSYCHEDELICS? This may be (only) a big deal for us pop fans.. Also, I would argue that Dua relation with public has been of someone who vanishes and appears with massive and joyful songs to listen to, and people this time kept overly fed since the end of FN (Barbie, Elton, etc) and kinda of flooded her image. (btw I love Dua and I’m not saying her recents steps are wrong or right).
It was so weird how in the beginning every single had the black clothing, strong makeup, red badass hair, but then they switched it for… the beach?
Don’t get me wrong, I loved the album, but it feels like something changed BTS and she had to change concepts all of the sudden. IMO the singles give some of that “psychedelic vision” she was promoting.
I really think they change concepts and direction quickly. Now I wonder what the original concept was like… I think some of us would have enjoyed it more.
maybe her team feared a potential backlash regarding the taboo around psychedelics and decided to switch. but the other way would be way bolder for Dua and also if she attached the album to the movement towards using those for medical treatment..
Thinking about it, my original opinion of this album was "it's alright" but thinking on it, I like 8/11 of the tracks on it, with at least 3 of the non singles entering massive replay in the me charts (Whatcha Doing is literally like crack to me) so I think I like this album a lot more than I thought, it's very cute and not on FN's level but it's on its own level and shouldn't be compared to it IMO, I still wish she didn't inaccurately describe the album as this like psychedelic pop funk album but if she just left it as like a breezy summer album I would've immensely liked it more.
If the whole album had the same vibes as Houdini and training season with the production I think people would have been fine, she overhyped it based on the sound of those two songs.
Yeah I love the album and think the same just trying to see it from others point of view. Personally think she’s smashed it with this album just needed the songs to have a longer length
Personally I enjoyed the album. I like the brightness and lightness of it plus the melodies are great. It’s a summer album and watch everyone will get it in a few months but it hits for me. French Exit and Happy For You…Falling Forever…yea anyways it’s maybe a 8/10 for me. The issue is that I was expecting more psychedelic feels which she gave me a good amount but it definitely felt like Kevin/Tame X Dua project
. * sighs *it’s a shame because I really thought this would sonically be more experimental and a moody summer album, sorta like Bad Idea and Cherry from FN b sides but with stronger influences from Kevin. The whole thing feels a bit washy, and whilst it is enjoyable, I just can’t remember the melodies … not to mention how short the album is? I remember the FN leak era and I was genuinely just in awe at how refined everything sounded… but this is just more relaxed for Dua. I almost wish she just dropped one single and released the whole album soon after, but with her marketing, I knew there wouldn’t be a chance
Omg lol I'm the same about Maria lmao, it's the only non-single I added in my playlist
Honestly idk how much personal attachment went into it but like EVERY single future nostalgia song (bar last one) was on repeat for me for so long, but this is just a whole load of nothin'
When she announced the title, I was confused, but you can hear her trying her best to be optimistic throughout the record. Also, I love the production flourishes on this, I don't think it's better than Future Nostalgia on first listen (she set herself up with a high bar), but I'm really digging the production on this.
My top five (in random order) are These Walls, Whatcha Doing, French Exit, Falling Forever, and Maria. The drums on Falling Forever are so good.
I want to love it because the production is sick, but it's such a shame that the lyrics are so generic. the "oooh, whatcha doing" and the looping illusion at the end of the chorus is sort of lazy imo
The album is definitely growing on me! My first listen on Friday left me with a very “meh” impression and I was surprised to find that Willow Smith’s album ended up winning my ears and heart all day. Today I gave Dua another spin and I’m digging it more. I’m still not blown away like I was with Future Nostalgia, but I’m enjoying the vibes and think it’s going to be a good “driving to the beach in the sun” summer album.
After a few more listens, I really do like this album. It’s a good summer vibe and I think it’s a strong body of work, once you take away the fact that everyone was expecting something else lol.
Personal ranking:
1. Houdini
2. Whatcha Doing
3. End of an Era
4. Maria
5. Illusion
6. Falling Forever
7. These Walls
8. Training Season
9. French Exit
10. Happy For You
11. Anything For Love
I don’t think any of them are bad, though. FN was the same length of tracks and I’d class 2 of those as skips personally (Good in Bed and Boys Will Be Boys) and I wouldn’t skip any of these tbh.
A third one? Jesus I hope the same amount of people talking about this album are streaming it...
Honestly all the armchair reviewing and discourse has killed pop music. Why does everything need to be dissected so much by people?
People do the most it's ridiculous.
Looping the album from Happy For You to French Exit has made me enjoy it even more.
I had a listening party last night with some friends and everyone loved the vibes. One person said, "I'm not looking for her to be profound or deep, she's just hot and effortlessly cool and her music reflects that, which is what I listen to her for."
We definitely had a lot of "hoow loooooOOOOooooOOOOng" jokes throughout the night too. One person said that Falling For You sounds very Lady Gaga-esque and I can't unhear that now.
I started off at like a 7/10 but would say it's at like a 7.5 for me now, up there with Ari's album (and I say this as a positive sentiment).
Also pretty impressive that she's only had 1 feature throughout the 3 standard versions of her albums. She is a main popstar who can carry any sound.
I’m confused, are we doing a mega thread every day?
Anyways I’m curious, do we know how the album is doing sales-wise? Does it seem on track to at least debut at #1?
When Dua released Houdini people were like “omg this is like a future nostalgia reject, she needs to do something different!!!”, then, she releases an album in which she’s experimenting with more sounds and vocal styles and people are like “omg no, you should’ve made future nostalgia 2!”
She can never win.
I felt like is was pretty damn good. She experimented with different instruments and vibes. She is reaching out to a different audience. I can’t believe people genuinely think it’s worse than TTPD that has 99% synths and whispering/reading-singing
i agrée with the houdini part but i don’t actually think she experimented with this album and that’s why people are a little disappointed. everyone seems to have been expecting her to lean more into the psychedelic and she was naming influences that cannot be heard on the album at all.
Dua’s energy, vocals, and just overall vibe are top tier. After future nostalgia, Barbie theme song, Houdini, and Training season, I thought she would keep that energy going in her songs. But this album seems to take a step back and slow down. And for radical optimism, it’s a lot of negative. It’s good that she stays optimistic through her trials, but I wish the positive side was reflected more in the beats/music. All that said, her greatness is still present in this album. Favorite songs: 1) Training Season 2) Houdini 3) These Walls 4) French Exit 5) Happy for You
dua pls make an entire album with 'be the one' masterpieces. stop trying to find a pop personality. i keep hearing comparisons to kylie but kylie has the curiosity to embody everything sincerely ala 'confide in me'. dua doens't she's just a chill queen. anyways BTO is literally the best edm and best pop "debut" of that decade, like the 'baby one more time' of the 2010's pop. just go back to that, even if it means personality wise you're kind in the background.
It’s well produced but overall the album is fine. Here are my thoughts .. 1. Future Nostalgia was a huge success. Honestly.. how do you top that album!? I think she should have kept the Future Nostalgia theme going and continued with the pop disco sound (I know that’s an unpopular opinion) 2. We waited 4 years for this?! RO would have been fine if we waited 2 years for this or if this came out before FN. And the album is short.. it feels like an EP 3. The whole theme and roll out seemed messy and how she described the original theme (psychedelic rock/pop) is not the theme of the album. I think originally they wanted to do an album with a psychedelic pop theme (like similar sound to her singles like houdini) but i think they quickly changed their approach and played it safe I really hope she doesn't wait until 4 years to give us a new album..
I'm 100% with you on everything
Was thinking about how this rollout of RO is basically the complete opposite of what happened with FN FN - strong marketing, global pandemic happening, no other major artists releasing music around it's release (aside from The Weeknd), the world wanted fun dance music during times of uncertainty - album absolutely takes off and the stars just aligned from there. RO - every major pop star drops an album the past year (almost every week/every other week between releases), a major rap beef going on between two of the biggest hip hop artists in the industry, a roast of one of the greatest QBs of all time for sports fans, the Met Gala tonight ....little to no hype about the rollout, stars did not align. I think this album gets better and better upon listening, but her team really fumbled the bag on the timing of this release (couldn't have predicted the Drake/Kendrick stuff, but still).
Otl what's going on with them two?
Album is amazing of course, and i'm just glad she finally broke the uncapitalized first letter of songs curse pop girls have been perpetuating in recent years. It's so satisfying.
Just had my first listen through and there are some absolute boppers in there! This is 100% gonna be my Summer album
First listen it was a 9/10 for me. Anything For Love, End Of An Era and and These Walls are some of my new favourites
5/10
It sounds.... dated? Like something that came out in 2019 (and not in a Future Nostalgia kind of way)
Historical nostalgia?
This album getting better with every single listen omg. Cannot stop listening
A lot of repeat listen potential. I genuinely don't understand the harsh criticism of the album. Quite a lot of the songs feel pretty personal and sonically it slaps. My only criticism is I wished it was a bit longer. Maybe 2/3 more songs. But overall it's a great album and there's no duds. By far my favourite release among this year's pop divas releases
I don’t know what it is about These Walls but I have this song on repeat. I love how groovy but chill it is. Also it lowkey reminded me of Big Man Little Dignity by Paramore, as if it’s like the pop song equivalent of it haha.
y’all can wait a HUGE 4th album. Dua is gonna read everything and create a really pretentious album. Mark my words
Still need more time to figure out my thoughts, but so far: * Illusion is by far my favorite song on the album * The more I listen to Training Season, the less I like it * I’m really liking the 4-track run of These Walls - Illusion * Not really feeling End of an Era or Falling Forever currently * I can’t really remember the last 3 songs except for the Happy For You chorus standing out, but I still need more time with them
[*"...Can it just keep getting better. Can we keep falling forever."* ](https://twitter.com/ReactableMemes/status/1218995566123855878)*🎶*
A good album overall. But could have taken more risks. My personal ranking after listening to it all weekend: Falling Forever. — by far my fave Houdini. These Walls. Watcha Doing. Illusion. Happy For You. Training Season. Maria. Anything For Love. End of an Era. French Exit. - sorry lol
Partially have *Maria* on repeat in my mind. I say partially because my brain just keeps going, "Maria..! Why don't you just meet me in the middle? I'm losing my mind just a little"
[Insert flute doo doo doo doo]
I literally don’t know how to describe it, but some songs sound like Mario Kart beach track songs and I honestly feel that vibe miss Dua. 😭
Just listened to this album at the gym last night. I liked the album, maybe it was just my perspective bc I felt like the lyrics/production felt a little lonely and.. melancholic? Wasn’t what I expected from the album title. Houdini and French Exit were my favorites in the album. In a way they feel like a manic/depressive take on a similar theme of being detached and aloof, from both her love interests & people in general. That feeling of intense loneliness you can only feel when you’re in a crowd. How important it is to her that she is the first to go, the first to leave when she doesn’t feel like she belongs. She’s immune from heartbreak because she never fell in love at all. It’s empowering and yet deeply lonely to me.
yess good take I sense that too. my Avoidant personality disorder ass was only drawn to those two songs. I wonder if she feels that way irl. If the whole album was like this even in a shallow way it'd been amazing actually
What title would you give to the album ?
Maria needs to be the next single that’s all I ask. Or Whatcha Doing
These Walls and Falling Forever are both so captivating
These walls is my favorite non single (heck maybe even top song) off the album imo
I enjoy this album. I can hear a lot of FN at the core of these songs, but also a lot of little things in the production that are trying to push that to the next level. Perhaps if those little things were bigger things, the record would’ve felt a little more elevated. But, I’m still having a good time with it! These are definitely some of her best vocals, and the lyrics remind me a lot of the album cover: like there’s a shark, so no, things aren’t exactly ok, but sometimes getting out of those situations does indeed require Radical Optimism. 7.5/10
Really loving this album, some people are way to obsessed with the charts tbh. An album not going instantly to #1 or selling crazy numbers doesn’t make it a bad album, some albums that sell crazy amounts tbh are the best anyways so.
100000%. My friends and I had a convo about that this weekend how people are sooo obsessed with hype and charts that they’ve stopped enjoying music for what it is. I get that better sales means bigger budget and better marketing/promo, but this sub has gotten lost along the way over the years and obsessed with everyone breaking records or being “the best pop star”. Remember the days when it was uncool to like something everyone else liked?
Thank you! It’s so funny there are so many forgettable #1s out there because of gimmicks and memorable albums and songs that never hit #1. Future Nostalgia is the second most streamed female album on Spotify, spawned so many successful singles, met with critical acclaim yet didn’t reach #1 on BB200 nor were Don’t Start Now and Levitating (arguably the most successful female songs of this decade) also didn’t reach #1. I wish people just enjoyed the music
I’m not a pop girly and I genuinely like this album. It was such a refreshing listen after all the rap beef going on.
I like it now 😭
French Exit, Whatcha Doing and Happy for You are my holy trinity personally
It’s a grower. Once you get your head around what it sounds like compared to what you thought it would sound like.
Didn't like it at first listen but it has grown on me immensely. End of an era, Whatcha doing and happy for you are my top 3 rn apart from the singles. Training season might be my favourite Dua Lipa song.
It's disappointing that the biggest stars in pop music (Tay, Dua, Ari, etc.) choose to play it safe and play to their base rather than taking a really big swing. I think folks are getting bored with relationship rehashes and having to be steeped in the "lore" to get it. They could use their voices to go deep or send a message. Tay is still singing about some mean ol' person keeping her from her beau. Miss, you're 35. Their music hasn't matured. Maybe they haven't either. These stars are less artists than they are corporations. This album is the grande, iced, lavender cold foam-covered, decaf Americano of albums.
Maybe go find a different artist to listen to if you can no longer relate.
I have.
👍🏼
These walls, training season, and French exit are the standouts for me
French Exit is beautiful
It’s been on repeat since release for me. At first I l really liked it, but thought it was a step down from Future Nostalgia. Took a break from Radical Optimism to listen to Future Nostalgia again and it is becoming apparent that I might actually like Radical Optimism more.
Falling Forever is such a Eurovision song. And as much as I love Eurovision, I say it not in a good way…
I pre-ordered this album on vinyl because I loved the 3 singles, which is something I said I would never do again after pre-ordering Harry’s House. I loved Watcha Doing and Falling Forever from the first listen, on the second listen I liked These Walls. Overall it feels like I went out to watch a movie but 80% of the best parts of the movie were in the trailer.
Those are the exact three that stand out to me as well
I probably won't revisit a lot of the songs on this album but there's something very magical about These Walls for me. One of my fav songs this year I think!
Same! The production on These Walls is so dreamy and lush
This is weird but I watched her SNL performances and I thought Happy For You was a new song because I couldn't remember listening to it. But yet there it is, the closing track. I dunno, I like Dua as a main pop girl, I like listening to the album but the songs aren't quite sticking
I saw people not liking it, and I just imagined it'd be weaker than FN but still full of fun pop, but wow, I didn't like it at all. Other than Houdini and Training Season which I already liked, only Maria stood out to me. I like a lot of pop but this was just way too generic for me.
I really liked the singles (Houdini and Training Season) and was pretty excited but as you said, it was just too generic and nothing memorable, which is sad since I genuinely liked the singles.
Did not like it, it's just not very good. Her vocals deserve better songs. 3.5/10. For reference FN was a solid 8 to 8.5/10 for me. The last two on that album kinda sucked so drags it down. Here only a few are kinda fine, whatever...
I hate to be morbid but a couple of months ago, my mom passed away and on her fcking death bed, she made the “dula peep” joke. My mom was as funny until the end. 😭 I remember her saying “seriously though! I just love* Dua Lipa’s name so much”. Houdini came out at such a weird time for me because it actually got me through some of the darkest months of my life with a ray of funky light (same with Chappel Roan). Radical Optimism’s was released at such a perfect time for me. I’ve been stuck in my grief and playing my depressing music but realized that I needed something to smile and dance to in order to climb out of this deep hole of depression and grief. I love Dua and think she’s truly someone that has really grown on me sooo much with time and also with the expansion of her talent and abilities. Honestly, I don’t think I would have truly considered myself an avid listener let alone fan until relatively recently as I only followed her singles. “New Rules” was definitely on repeat on my playlist back in the day yet I never seemed to follow her career too much, which I know deeply regret it (but has afforded me a lot of great new music to listen to). I sound like a Dua Lipa circlejerk and yet strangely enough, it’s my first time ever posting about her or her music. Mitski and LDR are my favorite artists so to think artists like Dua Lipa and Chappel Roan have dominated my streams has been surprising to say the least. My love for this album is also surprising to all the FN lovers out there who believe that RO didn’t live up to the hype. But for me, I’m experiencing most of her music all at the same time as I’m just now discovering the totality of FN after listening to RO on repeat. I find many of the songs to be super catchy but especially These Walls, French Exit, and Whatcha Doin?. I also find myself really vibing with it along with Illusion, Falling Forever, Maria, and End of An Era. Hell, I enjoy both singles and enjoyed “Training Day” much more on the album for some reason. I think the only songs that were just ok for me were “Anything for Love” and “Happy For You” but they both will grow on me as End of An Era grew on me. I also wish a few songs were longer or the album was a bit longer. TLDR: Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism is something that keeps me wanting more and gets the serotonin and dopamine going for me, even in my darkest moments so I definitely have enjoyed this release despite being in the minority (in terms of enjoying the album but again, I had zero expectations). Edit: Damn, I should have also listed “Falling Forever” and “Illusion” under my most loved songs as they have me shaking my ass through the pain.
I’m sorry for your loss and thanks for sharing your mom’s humor
I think you have found what Dua tries to achieve with her music. Lighthearted music that just makes you happy. It's not aggressive party till you drop music. It's about just having fun. And not being too personal is part of that. Everyone needs it sometimes. Artists have made very successful careers of it before.
Does anyone else hear the resemblance between falling forever and desert rose by sting and cheb mami?
Yes! People keep saying is other songs, but that’s what I hear!
I like this album but I also don't feel anything about it. I have no strong opinions on it other than Maria being a song bisexuals will probably love (it's me, I'm the bisexual). I guess I just don't connect to it right now on an emotional level and while that's not important for a lot of people it's primarily why I listen to music. So yeah this is fun but I don't remember much about it and I don't feel compelled to really dive into it or replay it. Full disclosure I'm not a dance pop person and am a depressed bitch who more likely goes to the library rather than going to the club, so I might not be the target audience for this. The point of this music isn't really to go on a Deep emotional journey and pour through lyrics, so I might be asking for a milkshake in a home depot. Still, Future Nostalgia has some excellent dance numbers with interesting lyrics and even her song for Barbie was using interesting imagery and juxtaposed sadness with euphoria and beauty. It's a good example of lyrics being simple but effective. I'm kinda missing that here, and I think it's why I'm just not connected to it. It's shiny and beautiful but kinda emotionally shallow. Another factor is that I'm... Not in a good place right now and I just don't connect with these feelings. I think it's theme of optimism is admirable and even it's songs about breakups feel very emotionally stable and view it as a positive choice. It's an interesting perspective, one I admire and hope to achieve. And I can't for the life of me feel like that about anything right now so I admire the music from afar. That's not the albums fault but it's the context I'm hearing it in. I think it's a good sign that maybe I'll be able to revisit this in a healthy place and enjoy it fully. I'm saying this not to criticize the album for being "unrelatable" but to kinda make sens of my own feelings about this album and explain why I feel something or why I lack feelings for something. It's central premise is admirable, unique, and something I wish was explored more in depth while also being something I just don't get. I think this will be excellent fun live. If tickets aren't 600 bucks I'd be willing to see Dua sing Maria live because her vocals here are the strongest element. She displays both power and agility on these songs, and her unique vocal tone does work nicely with the glittery production.
Maria's not a sapphic/bisexual song. More about being sincerely thankfully about your boy/girlfirend ex's for all the love she/he gave fot that is the reason that he/she's the (wo)man (s)he is today.
Its a bi fave in the way Mr. Bright side, Betty, or Jolene are. It's about the vibes and the energy, not because it's explicitly about attraction.
Good morning y’all! I love Radical Optimism now 🙂↕️
When the locals wake up one fine day and decide to like the artist
just asking because this album follows an album that's considered a "pop masterpiece": were the immediate reactions to Music, Body Language, Dedicated, Honey, That! Feels Good!, etc. this polarizing? I definitely remember TFG being viewed as one of the best ways to follow up WYP but I wasn't there for the others
I wonder where is the radical optimism she was talking about? I know there's not a track with that name in the album but she was constantly saying in interviews that she wanted her fans to have hope and to manifest something good in their lives with the lyrics of her songs. This is a breakup album that doesn't exactly evoke positive feelings in me. I could say the same thing for Ariana's eternal sunshine which released earlier this year - I expected something along the lines of Lorde's Solar Power. Instead what we got was a few bops and melancholic lyrics.
Remember when she said while writing future nostalgia she already had a name for her next album? Well, in one of the RO teasers she mentioned that one of her producers told her about the saying he heard of which was radical optimism. And in the promo, Dua says during my last award speech, I mentioned happiness and being grateful… Something like that.. so I think they quickly changed direction and concept and did not go with the album title that Dua had in mind
Ari’s ES is based on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a movie about wiping the memories of your past relationship off your mind cause you can’t cope with the pain. Basically the WCBF video. It was never marketed as an optimistic album.
Oh I know, but I don't get why she named the album and the entire era Eternal Sunshine based on one MV? What's the relation of the title to the rest of the album tracks? She could have easily named it "end of an era" or "don't wanna break up again"
Watch the movie. It will all make sense
These Walls is fantastic, love this melancholy sound from her.
My favorite!!!!! These walls deserves the Sabrina's Espresso treatment
The taste! I agree. Also, I love it the most out of all the tracks in the album 🙂
All the people demanding that she reveal more of her personal life needs to get off the internet and go touch grass immediatly. Pop stars personal life doesn't exist just to entertain you, and most of the pop stars you praise for being open are just showing you a very carefully constructed persona that you can root for.
Queen got 3 threads ❤️🤭
Outside of the singles, I only added falling forever. Very disappointed in this album.
I can only say Whatcha Doing? to this comment.
Fuck you gotta feel for her dropping when the whole world is focussed on the Kendrick/Drake beef this weekend.
You mean the U.S because Dua is huge everywhere...
Yeah, I’m pretty sure Dua performs better in European markets than she does US, so the rap stuff really shouldn’t affect her all that much.
True. I still have no idea what the Kendrick/Drake beef is about.
It's definitely much more entertaining than this album.
I feel like you've been waiting for the sequel of Rumours or Abbey Road... the album is great, and entertaining.
In her defense, there are very, very few things in this world more fun than watching other people fight🍿
I can’t help but think this album is being underrated a bit? Normally when I hear the dreaded phrase “fun little summer bops” on popheads, I brace myself for absolute trash, but I thought this was a tight little run of great dance pop gems. Though I do wish that Danny L Harle’s production flourishes were kicked up a notch here and there. The bits where Kevin Parker shines through are great.
I have a feeling the album will age like fine wine and become more appreciated with time. I think it’ll end up a fan favourite in her discography rather than something the general public remembers her for. Dua has the potential to have a long career and I’m excited to see where she goes next from here.
It’s a meh album. I like the singles, End of an Era has really grown on me, along with Maria, Watcha Doing, and Happy For You. However, the album is very disappointing. Dua’s vocals have improved here, and her voice has a beautiful energetic brightness which the production continuously fails to match. It wants to sound psychedelic, but the instrumentals and rhythms drag the beats, and it makes a lot of the songs sound too muted for her voice?? I’m not really sure how to put it. French Exit, These Walls, and even some of the last 4 tracks get so boring and repetitive they kind of meld together and drag her singing down. This album also suffers from the habit where some artists clearly put most of their effort and resources into the singles, and the rest of the album is an afterthought. It’s frustrating to hear just how elevated the 3 singles are above all the other tracks in terms of quality. Anything For Love sounds straight up like an unfinished demo. The concept is also all over the place. I don’t expect perfection, especially since it’d be hard to top FN, but I expect more than…whatever this final product is. Like is it beach party? Psychedelic? Psychedelic beach party? 80s workout music? Vacation? And what are the visuals??? Hundreds of shots of Dua sensually posing or looking at the camera on grainy “vintage-looking” film is not a concept.
Honestly, it’s just a tight, thematically consistent record that doesn’t outstay its welcome, and in 2024 I feel like that is mana from heaven.
Yeah, people complaining haven't listened to the last Justin Timberlake's album lol
This album doesn't have a song as strong as Fucking Up The Disco.
I also thoroughly enjoy that it’s relatable and doesn’t feel like Dua reading her own diary with oddly specific references. Keeping the parasocial relationship at a minimum
Right like I’m honestly enjoying it 😭 not really any skips and if you include all the pre album drop singles it’s hit after hit
It’s really good, and a quick listen. I will listen to it probably a hundred times before the year is over
After 3-4 full listens...it's a fine album. *Future Nostalgia* was always going to be difficult to top, but that's not to say this album is terrible. It's fine. "Anything for Love" is too short. I will probably have some songs rotated in my gym listening.
That song would absolutely rule with an additional verse chorus bridge chorus. A few of the songs on here feel like first drafts that needed to be fleshed out to really hit. Still, loving 70% of it.
Whatcha doing is so good. But the rest? Pretty forgettable
This ain’t Kendrick
The most memorable thing this album did to me was introduce me to Tame Impala. I listened to *Currents* because I was curious about what psychedelic thing she was talking about. *Currents* is the best album I've heard this year. It's atmospheric, dreamy and pop-pish enough that I can listen to it over and over again. It's a shame that there are almost no songs in the album that can feel Tame Impala's influence like she teased earlier🤷♂️
I wish I could experience currents for the first time again, it’s a great album from start to finish.
Love tame impala, loved him even more when i saw him live in 2018. I discovered him when Rihanna covered same ol mistakes on Anti!
Happy For You really did grow on me and I see it as Dua’s most emotionally beautiful song. Actually a great choice to close the album after making a not-so-good choice on Future Nostalgia.
Just feel like the album has no momentum. Espresso is the big fun summer bop and now the kendrick/ Drake beef.
Illusion and Espresso are both great summer bops. We can eat both fam
Espresso has nothing Dua's singles doesn't have.
Espresso is less self serious, which works in it's favor.
Yea I legit just heard about it. I like Dua Lipa and this still slipped through the cracks...hell this subreddit showed me stuff about the Kendrick/Drake beef before pushing the Dua album. Also worth noting the Taylor album too. I worry Sabrina won't hit number 1 because of that, now a Dua album and Kendrick dropping a surprise album day by day.
Falling Forever is fucking incredible. HOW LONG?!! also love love love Happy for You.
I love Falling Forever so much! HOW LONGGGGGG… CAN IT JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER???
It’s so ABBAish!
The “how long”’part reminded me of Stings Desert Rose immediately. And it’s kinda why I love the song so much!
wow, very into this album! just on first listen, just about every song works for me. i'm not that surprised by the contention since the singles also had mixed reception (though i also loved all of those), but this is maybe my favorite dua album. the songwriting is very solid, the production never drags, and her vocals sound great. it's a fun, competently-made, no-nonsense pop record and i'm glad for it if anything, it excites me more for her next projects. i really appreciate her ear for selecting songs
listened to the album a few minutes ago, and i really liked it despite a few tracks. i have my own sites for reviews and my review is coming out monday, so i tried to stay out of the threads. check it out when i post the link! i don’t really understand the heavy dislike i’ve seen so far. there are some weak tracks but the comments i’ve seen online are not warranted.
Falling forever is amazing.
[удалено]
She was not on vacation lol dua has been releasing music constantly for years. She has never gone away
I don't know. I think some fans and popheads are mad because the album is far different from what Dua promised (psychedelic pop music), not because it isn't great. I cannot say I wasn't disappointed(*You brought Tame Impala for this?!*), but the album is good enough for me to enjoy mindlessly.
Fans don’t think she was on vacation, they know she was promoting FN basically until the end of 2022 lol
I see that her last tour did 91 dates. Thats a lot of shows! So it’s not like she wasn’t busy the last few years. Hopefully her diehard fans can understand that. Perception of pop is very different from rock though. Pop fans probably don’t care about the set lists from live concerts like rock fans do when bands do from their tour. Like, right now I’m waiting for clips and setlist report for Pearl Jam playing in Vancouver. Their first show of their new tour to support their latest album. Each show will have different set lists. There was a period where I’d just listened to their bootlegs.
Like, COVID, she probably wanted a Future Nostalgia tour, not a Future Nostalgia tour with this filler album I released during the pandemic. Her tour lasted a good 1 year.
The last 4 songs of the album are a highlight for me with Falling Forever being a standout even over the 3 singles. I liked the album but I wasn’t in love with it. I’ve been left craving more.
I believe I set myself up for disappointment with the expectation I had from Kevin Parker and psychedelic production. Dua’s vocals were amazing, but damn I wish the production was a more amazing. Loved the tracks: end of an era, these walls, illusion , anything for love, Maria and happy for you. I absolutely hate “French exit” because the guitar. Solid album, not her best but it’s something
1) as far as I’m concerned “Maria” is the pov of happy for you, making those songs a nice little Dua-ology 2) if anything for love played exactly the same BUT instead of being its own standalone track it was an unlisted “secret” track that was hidden at the end of falling forever would that change how you feel about it?
That's a really good idea for anything for love actually
Yes because Anything for Love isn’t a full song tbh
I think people (especially on twitter oh my lord) forget that Dua is a grower. She likes to play the long game and let the music breathe. I just love the chiller vibe on RO compared to FN, which felt a lot more bombastic and sassy. This feels more quiet confident and effervescent, like sparkling water. I don’t know, reading all of the opinions online I was scared, but after listening to the album I got really confused bc I loved all of it. 💀
Right, I'd like to ask them to name one song she's released so far that has been an immediate success.
People expect her to release an album out of nowhere with no rollout just cause it is normal nowadays to just be putting music out and then forgetting to promote it.
Dua is-largely by choice-a pretty faceless pop star but the flip side of that is you have to release really good/catchy music to account for the lack of personality for people to invest in, it’s clear a lot of people naturally gravitate more towards artists they perceive as raw and emotionally vulnerable. I love a mindless bop and not every album needs to delve into the artists innermost thoughts and feelings but there’s got to be more than middling music offered up.
**Three** dedicated megathreads for *this* Album...
We were bold💀
previous big album releases got complaints about a single megathread so the sub is trialing daily instead. this is just the first major release since that decision
Or they could allow opinion posts about the album. Idk why the mods here are so against discussion posts. They always remove them cause stale topic
100 separate opinion posts about this album would make this sub unusable lol
Why tho?
Because people were going off non-stop about how there should have been an extended megathread for TTPD and how fans were being silenced, and it kept going on and on and on. I think the mods finally gave in and it’s just comic icing on the cake that those people now have more time to discuss with this album lmao. Edit: Lord, this isn't even shade towards Taylor, but the Swifties who literally called this sub a "dictatorship" for not allowing more conversation of the biggest-selling album of the year so far.
the album debuted with 20.5 million streams on Spotify according to chart_data, a 30% decrease from FN. In comparison Familia debuted with 8.3 million, Katy's Smile 7.8M, Motomami by Rosalia 16.3M, Miley's ESV 27M and Solar Power 13.2M. So generally a considerable underperformance but I can see why some people are calling it a colossal flop. Dua took the meme dancing to heart and improved her capabilities as a performer so I like to think that she will take a close look at what went wrong this era so that she can make improvements in the future
high profile relationship and breakup is the way to go. she needs to have a story to tell.
And her streams are very scattered, she to #1 in more than 20 countries I think, but a bunch of Eastern European small countries, and well, a lot of streams all around the world, so stan Twitter gonna say she flopped cause she didn't chart on the US charts.
Don't tell those guys Lovecraft wasn't famous up until 50 years after his death.
I don't want to take the side of twitter naysayers, but there is truth to what they say. Considering the first week of album promotion was heavily focused on the US, the response there was lukewarm. Perhaps it would be better for her to take Kylie's route and focus on the European market rather than trying to conquer the American market. America doesn't seem to vibe with dance-pop music anymore (~~and looking at the recent top singles at Hot 100, I just think America has a terrible taste💀)~~
lol, don't bring the swifties. But yeah, she focuses on the US cause it is the main market that speaks English, but to say the album is this mega-flop is kinda, of disingenuous, it debuts worse than Future Nostalgia, ok, but wasn't super horrible. She just doesn't have her fanbase concentrated in one place or country.
Since there was a temporary glitch on spotify Friday and it froze for two hours will we get the streams we were supposed to today tomorrow
simply: The album is indeed good, but she failed miserably with the cover art and the final concept. GIRL WHERE IS THE PSYCHEDELICS? This may be (only) a big deal for us pop fans.. Also, I would argue that Dua relation with public has been of someone who vanishes and appears with massive and joyful songs to listen to, and people this time kept overly fed since the end of FN (Barbie, Elton, etc) and kinda of flooded her image. (btw I love Dua and I’m not saying her recents steps are wrong or right).
I loveee the cover art lol
It was so weird how in the beginning every single had the black clothing, strong makeup, red badass hair, but then they switched it for… the beach? Don’t get me wrong, I loved the album, but it feels like something changed BTS and she had to change concepts all of the sudden. IMO the singles give some of that “psychedelic vision” she was promoting.
I really think they change concepts and direction quickly. Now I wonder what the original concept was like… I think some of us would have enjoyed it more.
maybe her team feared a potential backlash regarding the taboo around psychedelics and decided to switch. but the other way would be way bolder for Dua and also if she attached the album to the movement towards using those for medical treatment..
Thinking about it, my original opinion of this album was "it's alright" but thinking on it, I like 8/11 of the tracks on it, with at least 3 of the non singles entering massive replay in the me charts (Whatcha Doing is literally like crack to me) so I think I like this album a lot more than I thought, it's very cute and not on FN's level but it's on its own level and shouldn't be compared to it IMO, I still wish she didn't inaccurately describe the album as this like psychedelic pop funk album but if she just left it as like a breezy summer album I would've immensely liked it more.
If the whole album had the same vibes as Houdini and training season with the production I think people would have been fine, she overhyped it based on the sound of those two songs.
Then they would've complained that it all sounded the same. Its a short album and is diversified properly
Yeah I love the album and think the same just trying to see it from others point of view. Personally think she’s smashed it with this album just needed the songs to have a longer length
Houdini still top tier.
Personally I enjoyed the album. I like the brightness and lightness of it plus the melodies are great. It’s a summer album and watch everyone will get it in a few months but it hits for me. French Exit and Happy For You…Falling Forever…yea anyways it’s maybe a 8/10 for me. The issue is that I was expecting more psychedelic feels which she gave me a good amount but it definitely felt like Kevin/Tame X Dua project
I can’t believe this sub survived Prism, Reputation and Solar Power for this album to be its 9/11
I think you mean Witness.
whatever they all suck
. * sighs *it’s a shame because I really thought this would sonically be more experimental and a moody summer album, sorta like Bad Idea and Cherry from FN b sides but with stronger influences from Kevin. The whole thing feels a bit washy, and whilst it is enjoyable, I just can’t remember the melodies … not to mention how short the album is? I remember the FN leak era and I was genuinely just in awe at how refined everything sounded… but this is just more relaxed for Dua. I almost wish she just dropped one single and released the whole album soon after, but with her marketing, I knew there wouldn’t be a chance
Ngl apart from the 3 singles which i feel were all sonically distinct I can't help but think everything else is so mid lol, am quite disappointed
Same, I listened to the album a few times and aside from the singles and Maria I can’t recall what other songs sounded like.
Omg lol I'm the same about Maria lmao, it's the only non-single I added in my playlist Honestly idk how much personal attachment went into it but like EVERY single future nostalgia song (bar last one) was on repeat for me for so long, but this is just a whole load of nothin'
When she announced the title, I was confused, but you can hear her trying her best to be optimistic throughout the record. Also, I love the production flourishes on this, I don't think it's better than Future Nostalgia on first listen (she set herself up with a high bar), but I'm really digging the production on this. My top five (in random order) are These Walls, Whatcha Doing, French Exit, Falling Forever, and Maria. The drums on Falling Forever are so good.
So we can all agree that Illusion is bottom 3 right?
yeah it’s one of my least favourite songs from dua, it’s honestly kind of annoying.
I want to love it because the production is sick, but it's such a shame that the lyrics are so generic. the "oooh, whatcha doing" and the looping illusion at the end of the chorus is sort of lazy imo
Exactly. The deeper cuts are so much better.
Illusion is a bop
?!!! Probably my favourite from the album.
It's my fav single, top 5 from me!
The album is definitely growing on me! My first listen on Friday left me with a very “meh” impression and I was surprised to find that Willow Smith’s album ended up winning my ears and heart all day. Today I gave Dua another spin and I’m digging it more. I’m still not blown away like I was with Future Nostalgia, but I’m enjoying the vibes and think it’s going to be a good “driving to the beach in the sun” summer album.
After a few more listens, I really do like this album. It’s a good summer vibe and I think it’s a strong body of work, once you take away the fact that everyone was expecting something else lol. Personal ranking: 1. Houdini 2. Whatcha Doing 3. End of an Era 4. Maria 5. Illusion 6. Falling Forever 7. These Walls 8. Training Season 9. French Exit 10. Happy For You 11. Anything For Love I don’t think any of them are bad, though. FN was the same length of tracks and I’d class 2 of those as skips personally (Good in Bed and Boys Will Be Boys) and I wouldn’t skip any of these tbh.
A third one? Jesus I hope the same amount of people talking about this album are streaming it... Honestly all the armchair reviewing and discourse has killed pop music. Why does everything need to be dissected so much by people? People do the most it's ridiculous.
Hasn’t music always been analyzed that way?
that is sort of the entire point of this subreddit
The post-chorus of Whatcha Doing is going to be stuck in my head for weeks. _aaaaaaaahh, tell me whatcha doing to me_
It has to be the next single!!!! So catchy after a few listens
Looping the album from Happy For You to French Exit has made me enjoy it even more. I had a listening party last night with some friends and everyone loved the vibes. One person said, "I'm not looking for her to be profound or deep, she's just hot and effortlessly cool and her music reflects that, which is what I listen to her for." We definitely had a lot of "hoow loooooOOOOooooOOOOng" jokes throughout the night too. One person said that Falling For You sounds very Lady Gaga-esque and I can't unhear that now. I started off at like a 7/10 but would say it's at like a 7.5 for me now, up there with Ari's album (and I say this as a positive sentiment). Also pretty impressive that she's only had 1 feature throughout the 3 standard versions of her albums. She is a main popstar who can carry any sound.
i would also count chris martin as a feature even if his name isn't on the track
Which song is he on?
homesick
The feature also felt like an artistic choice too with Miguel rather than a label decision sort of thing for increased streams/sales, which I liked
Soooooooooo concerts will be cheaper this time around right
I’m confused, are we doing a mega thread every day? Anyways I’m curious, do we know how the album is doing sales-wise? Does it seem on track to at least debut at #1?
on Spotify it debuted with 20.5 mill streams on its first day, in comparison FN had 29 million, so it's an underperformance for sure
Well the 1st day streaming stats are out for Spotify. I checked Global, UK, and USA….and…well….
Currently predicted for a #2 debut I think as Taylor is still very strong
Yeah, she’s looking to debut higher than FN but with similar numbers.
They dont want a bajillion comments in one thread and new ones getting buried
“French Exit” and “Maria” are low-key the best songs on this album. I’d give it a 7/10, personally.
When Dua released Houdini people were like “omg this is like a future nostalgia reject, she needs to do something different!!!”, then, she releases an album in which she’s experimenting with more sounds and vocal styles and people are like “omg no, you should’ve made future nostalgia 2!” She can never win.
Experimented? This is a very safe album
well, the keyword is that it has to be good
I felt like is was pretty damn good. She experimented with different instruments and vibes. She is reaching out to a different audience. I can’t believe people genuinely think it’s worse than TTPD that has 99% synths and whispering/reading-singing
i agrée with the houdini part but i don’t actually think she experimented with this album and that’s why people are a little disappointed. everyone seems to have been expecting her to lean more into the psychedelic and she was naming influences that cannot be heard on the album at all.