It’s a group shot like we rarely see from the music industry which, like the cinema, tries not to step on each other’s toes when blockbusters are released. Here, in just a few weeks, it’s the heavy artillery of global pop that draws new releases. There was Beyoncé’s new album, Cowboy CarterTaylor Swift’s double album, The Tortured Poets Departmentwho shatters record after record, Ariana Grande (Eternal Sunshine) ; Shakira (Las mujeres ya no lloran), Jenifer Lopez (This is me… Now) and now the new Dua Lipa.
Radical Optimism was released on Friday on streaming platforms worldwide. First observation: it has not erased from the shelves the tidal wave caused by Taylor Swift on April 19. However, since her first album in 2017, Dua Lipa has been offering disco-pop music that hits the mark. We think of hits like “Levitating” which was a hit everywhere, including in the United States where it was number 1 in 2021, and “Fever” in a duet with Angèle. Two pieces taken from Future Nostalgia released at the start of confinement in 2020, which did not prevent it from obtaining 6 nominations for the Grammy Awards, notably in the categories Album of the Year, Recording of the Year and Song of the Year. Excuse me a little.
Groovy as you wish
The British-Albanian had warned: this third opus in her discography was going to surprise. In an interview given to Rolling Stone, she announced a psychedelic pop album paying homage to British rave culture, all influenced by Britpop. A strange mixture if ever there was one.
In fact, with Radicalism Optimismthe singer moves away a little from the dancefloors for which the songs of Future Nostalgia. Make no mistake, however, Radical Optimism remains in the danceable pop vein as indicated by the first bars of “End of an Era” which opens the record. It’s groovy as can be, with this sometimes very eighties touch which returns throughout the album (“Watcha Doing”). Particularly in the “rapped” passages like “Everyone does what they please” from Chagrin d’amour.
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Effective on all levels
An impression that is confirmed by the following title, also the first single to be taken from this third album: “Houdini”. Difficult to resist, it’s cut to wiggle and beat the time of the foot. But the result is less immediate than “Levitating”. More mature, one would be tempted to say. His music already was, however. But it’s still extremely effective as you listen more and more.
The sequel drives the point home with the excellent “Training Season”. Unstoppable second single already released in February!
As for the promise of psychedelic pop, it is very present. On “Houdini”, there is a strange guitar that invites itself on the bridge. Same on “These Walls” where she takes you into a colorful world full of flowers, a bit as if you were immersed in the music video for “Groove is in the Heart” by Deee-Lite.
Should we see the influence of Kevin Parker, the thinking and creative soul of Tame Impala? In any case, the Australian joined the Dua Lipa team and produced 7 of the 11 tracks on the album.
As many potential singles as titles
The rest of the listening once again confirms all of the above. The singer lines up pop and dance songs one behind the other, sometimes with a few French words (“French Exit”) and surprising but effective rhythm breaks (“Falling Forever”). Without forgetting one or the other piano ballads which never end as one expects… (“Anything fo Love”). We are won over from start to finish.
The successor to “Levitating” may be absent, but no matter, Dua Lipa is releasing an album on which each track is a potential single and a potential hit. And that’s already no small feat. And again, “Maria” to create a surprise in this area…
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Everything is bathed in an atmosphere which is good in the anxiety-inducing times we are currently going through. If English doesn’t put you off, look at the texts for a few moments to see why. “I always came into the studio with a funny story, and they all inspired different songs. There is a freedom and honesty that I never had before,” she confides. Radically optimistic, we said.
Looking forward to Saturday July 6 to see her performance on the Main Stage at Rock Wechter where she will close the day.
