DUA LIPA’S NEW ALBUM “RADICAL OPTIMISM” TAKES LISTENERS ON A MEDITERRANEAN GETAWAY
Dua Lipa, the dance-floor diva, has just released her highly anticipated album “Radical Optimism” and it’s a solid hit. While artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Tate McRae would’ve made it a star-making record, Lipa had set the bar too high for herself with her previous album “Future Nostalgia.” However, this new album still manages to transport listeners to the Mediterranean, with its bottomless Aperol spritzes, white-sand beaches, and stunning people.
Produced primarily by Danny L Harle and Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, “Radical Optimism” is the quintessential summer album. It’s what Miley Cyrus thought she gave us, the yacht record the Jonas Brothers dreamt of, and the juiciest peach Europe has tasted since “Call Me by Your Name.” With just 11 tracks, Lipa proves that short albums can be cool again, showing industry giants like Taylor Swift and Drake that sometimes less is more.
Lipa effortlessly breezes through sun-kissed tracks like “End of an Era” and the criminally fleeting “Anything for Love.” She also shines on larger-than-life numbers like the unforgettable ABBA salute “Falling Forever” and the flute-tastic “Maria.” However, not all songs hit the mark. The promotional singles “Training Season” and “Illusion” feel out of place with the album’s warm, seaside vibe. Even the nu-disco hit “Houdini,” which kicked off the “Radical Optimism” era, feels like a reject from “Future Nostalgia” when compared to more fresh-faced tunes like “French Exit.”
If you’re expecting a tour de force like “Levitating,” you won’t find it here. But if you’re looking for unadulterated fun in the sun, Lipa has a treat for you. It seems all those vacations she took were actually research for this album. So sit back, relax, and let Dua Lipa transport you to the Mediterranean with “Radical Optimism.”
