Radical Optimism is the third album from British-Albanian pop singer Dua Lipa. Her last album, Future Nostalgia, was a critical and commercial success which elevated her into even bigger stardom. She won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album, for her last record. This album continues that dance-pop/electro-pop sound, and was released on May 3rd, 2024. I personally enjoyed what I heard on the tracks off of that album. This was my first time listening to a Dua Lipa album front to back, and here are my thoughts.
We open up the album, with “End of an Era,” which is a track about how Dua Lipa, in her words is a hopeless romantic, who catches feelings super quickly. The electric pianos are groovy, and the song is overall very catchy. Lipa’s voice is emotive and sounds very beautiful over the Eurodance production. “The sweetest pleasure, I feel like we're gonna be together. This could be the end of an era,” gives us an infectious chorus. A highlight off the album.
We follow that up with the track, “Houdini,” which has funky bass riffs and glowing synth chords. I like how she compares herself to Houdini, as being the girl that got away. It’s a clever analogy, and I love the percussion incorporated in this track, as it’s very danceable. “Training Season,” is another groovy track with a chill guitar riff, and actually is one of my favorites off of the record. I like her singing that she wants to be in love with someone who knows how to take control, with love that “feels like a rodeo,” I also like the training season metaphor as it pertains to love. The chorus will remain stuck in your head for days.
Another favorite track of mine on this album is, “These Walls,” I love that glistening piano loop, and eerie guitar. Plus the guy playing the bass on this track, Danny L. Harle, is absolutely taking it for a walk. The whole idea of the walls talking and telling Dua and her partner, to give up on the relationship, because it’s clearly not working, is unique. It’s a different approach to a song about failed love, and I respect the creative direction she took in her writing of this song. I also like the emotion she poured into her vocals on this track. This one’s definitely gonna remain stuck in my head for a while.
“Whatcha Doing,” has a smooth guitar riff throughout, and I love the synth based production of this track, as it’s like many of the tracks on this record. I like the themes of control, and fear of being in a relationship that changes her. I love the layered vocal harmonies on this song as well. Another favorite. “French Exit,” has Dua Lipa singing about how the only person who could break her heart is herself, rather than whoever breaks up with her. I like the acoustic sound of the track, as it changes the sound of the record up a bit. Still other than that, it doesn’t really stand out from the rest of the track list. So it’s one of my least favorites.
“Illusion,” is another European dance influenced track, and sounds a lot like something out of the 80s. I like the vocal sample layering, and the piano chords throughout the track. I like the whirly organ that appears before the last chorus. It’s another highlight, not so much lyrically, but based off of the production, and Dua Lipa’s talented vocals. I like how in “Falling Forever,” has her hoping for a relationship, represented by “a flame” to keep burning. Her singing is angelic on all of the tracks of this album, and paired with the dance pop production, it’s a recipe for success. “Anything for Love,” is a briefer track that changed up the dance sound to that of a piano ballad, at least in the intro. And while I don’t dislike the synth-pop sound of this album, a little variety wouldn’t hurt either. “Maria,” has an interesting premise, with Dua Lipa thanking her man’s ex girlfriend for changing him for the better, which I don’t think I’ve heard in a song before. Then again, I don’t usually to much radio friendly pop, so I could be wrong. But unlike Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande, I like that Dua Lipa’s tracks have a more club-friendly sound, and they have a more interesting take on love and heartbreak. I get the appeal of all three of these artists, as their subject matter is incredibly relatable. We finish the album, with “Happy for You,” which has a very positive message, it’s sort of the antithesis of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U.” As instead of being sarcastically supportive of her ex finding love with someone else, Dua genuinely means it. She’s sad that it didn’t work out with her ex, but she’s actually happy for her ex and his new girl. “I’m not mad, I’m not hurt. You got everything you deserve.” She ends the album on a high note.
Overall, Radical Optimism isn’t a terrible album by any means, but it’s not typically the music I gravitate to. Before listening to this album, I had listened to a few songs of Dua’s such as “Love Again,” “Break My Heart,” and “New Rules,” so I definitely enjoy her music more so than say, Miley Cyrus, or Taylor Swift. Miley and Taylor are both decently talented singers, but Dua Lipa’s vocal talent is just on a whole different level of great. Her range is angelic and is music to the ears. Despite the strengths of Dua Lipa’s extraordinary vocal talent, the groovy dance production, and the catchy hooks, it doesn’t really stand out to me compared what I’ve heard in comparison to her last album. The themes are very similar to that record, and musically it sounds great, but I was expecting a bit of a different sound sonically. I like her dance pop tracks, but she’s such a talented singer and songwriter, that I’m curious to hear what new sound she could fit over. I mean look at Beyoncé, she’s made R&B, hip hop, electronic, and country records. I’m not saying Dua Lipa has to make something that sounds radically different, but some experimenting with new sounds would be appreciated. Overall a decent pop album, but it doesn’t really stand out from her previous albums. It’s worth a listen though.
Overall Score: 6/10
Favorite Tracks: “End of an Era,” “These Walls,” “Whatcha Doing,” “Falling Forever,” “Happy for You”
Least Favorite Tracks: “Anything for Love”
Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TtvG18iSxY
Genres: Dance Pop/Electronic