Last summer, we danced the night away with Dua Lipa’s hit song featured in the movie Barbie. Now, this summer offers some “radical” beats from Dua Lipa’s third studio album, Radical Optimism. The album was released just a few weeks ago on May 3rd and is Dua Lipa’s first album since Future Nostalgia was released in 2020. The electro-pop album offers eleven tracks that are sure to be stuck in your head all summer long.
The album’s lead single, “Houdini”, was released on November 9th, 2023, and became Dua Lipa’s second number-one hit on Billboard’s Hot Dance/ Electronic Songs almost instantaneously. The song was met with praise from critics who had loved Future Nostalgia, and the song flew off the charts internationally. The song alludes to the famous magician, Harry Houdini, and fans from Greece, Belgium, Bulgaria, and the United Kingdom had it on repeat. Our very own Ramapo math teacher Ms. Biunno stated, “The songs were all jams! I love her music!”
Dua Lipa stated that her album was inspired by the energy and freedom of 1990’s British pop, and she wanted that essence to be heard within her songs. She also wanted to capture the essence of youth and fun within her songs, reinstating that this is the perfect summer album. Ramapo sophomore Emma Sanchez states, “I love Dua Lipa! Her new songs on the album are so fun to listen to, and give very summer vibes!”
Not only do the lyrics and beats of her songs capture the soul of summer, but her music videos do as well. The “Illusion” music video features diving boards and colorful pools, along with expressive choreography. Lipa’s ruby red hair also makes a bold statement and is featured in all of her music videos for this album thus far. Although her music videos and the rhythm of her songs sound fun and carefree, Lipa does an amazing job incorporating raw, emotional lyrics into the songs about relationships, heartbreak, and finding beauty in closure. This is especially apparent within her song “Training Season”, which depicts moving on from a past relationship to find greater things. “Training Season” also offers an upbeat groove that can get stuck in anyone’s head.
Dua Lipa constantly offers inventive and enjoyable music to the world of entertainment. These new releases prove that Lipa comes back every time with something new and exciting to offer!
