Dua Lipa - Radical Optimism

[Vincem 380]

I hate that the most interesting parts of the production are put in the background. You really have to find them. 36 min for 11 songs is too short. They could've gone further with some of them. Maria girl, this one could've been HUGE.

[Ladle Ghoulash 27,295]

49 minutes ago, Vincem said:

These Walls SCREAMS Chappell Roan. I looooooove it.

Chappell, baby, I’m so sorry 

[Davidsdaze 484]

I really love this album. Keeps the energy going. Sonically different from FN, but still reminiscent of what make Dua Lipa, Dua. You know theirs is such a thing as branding and still staying within the same universe. Dua is a brand, there’s gotta be an edge of what made her marketable in the first place. Sure this album won’t be a huge hit, but it’s a pretty great album to expand on her catalogue and live performances. 
 

End of an Era, These Walls, Falling forever are just a few of the non singles that desperately need some kind of push and/or visual. Maria too. 

[Nine Inch Heels 683]

Maria needed more of that acid techno synth. Like come on, why is it so minimal, it almost feels out of place! Go all out in the chorus, be that ray of light! I hope someone remixes it to have more lol

[Anderson123 38,948]

1 hour ago, Kim Petrus said:

3rd listen finished and it’s definitely growing 

i don’t know if it’s my pods or anything but I feel like there’s so many small sounds in the instrumentals. The more I listen to it the more I found them (bells, guitar riffs).

This. I wasn’t a fan of Illusion first but listening to the bells in the background with headphones is just .

[Aga Gydal 3,158]

This album is so summery and groovy. Exceeded my expectations on first listen 💕

[bowlsofbrett 545]

10 hours ago, bowlsofbrett said:

I always believe it’s best to let an album sit with you for a few days before fully forming an opinion. My first listen has been pleasant. It’s a chill, summer-esque, sandy beach vibe. “These Walls”,  and “Whatcha Doing” are great standouts so far! I think the weakest song on the record is “Anything For Love.” 
 

It’s a decent pop album. It’s not going to change pop culture or anything, but it contains enough cute tracks to vibe out while you’re poolside with friends, drinking a fruity cocktail.

Ok. So, I’ve listened to the record about 20 times and my opinion still stands and it may have even lowered a bit. Where is this psychedelic pop she was talking about? It sounds like any basic pop girl album. The production, at times, sounds very weak and uninspired. The lyrics also feel very meh. Again, I don’t hate the album. It’s just there on occasion if I need it. She should release “These Walls” as the final single and move on from this project. 

[Guest]

guys it's good..... it's just... very good/// 

I was not a stan. 

I'm an elistist french gay. I love jazz. ****. Ariana had me, Dua has got me too. I'm her bitch. 

[PopMusicForever 746]

1 hour ago, Ladle Ghoulash said:

Chappell, baby, I’m so sorry 

You simply seem to hate Dua. No matter what 😬

[Guest]

18 minutes ago, bowlsofbrett said:

Where is this psychedelic pop she was talking about?

almost everwhere on the record. It's an inspiration. It's very diluted, it's more like vintage sounds than proper overly chorused guitars. it depends on how she presented it. But i don't feel scammed. 

[StressedOut 653]

The prod is so dense it's lit, end of an era, houdini, these walls, falling forever so good. These moments I feel like both her singing and production are melded amazingly. The other singles fall in line with this aspect too for the most part. 

Too many bops for me to be overtly negative, but there are a few moments towards the backend where the instrumental is doing more than the lyrics or vocals I personally feel like. Still like more than half of the tracklist so !  

 

[monketsharona 84,855]

This album is a grower, love it much more after second listen

Falling Forever should have been second single imo

I will definitely play this album a lot leading to Summer time 

[bowlsofbrett 545]

17 minutes ago, Nathaniel Arven said:

almost everwhere on the record. It's an inspiration. It's very diluted, it's more like vintage sounds than proper overly chorused guitars. it depends on how she presented it. But i don't feel scammed. 

Oh, I definitely hear bits and pieces. Maybe I expected it to be more “in my face”

I haven’t listened to the album with headphones yet, so maybe I’ll pick up on it more.

[JorgeX 640]

On 5/2/2024 at 8:07 AM, MessyTop said:

The album is gonna be a mega flop. Just mediocre tracks. What happened? The 3rd album curse is real 

It’s the 4th album curse, but I guess she broke the cycle with the 3rd album lol

[ModernEcstasy 9,101]

I need a couple more listens. 
I have loved every single released, but a little underwhelmed with the album. 
I don’t hate it. I just feel each song is missing something critical. 
it’s a shame because if she’d taken a few more risks, it could’ve been excellent. 
Also Hoping the next era she touches on different subjects.