The album cover for Radical Optimism featuring Dua Lipa facing off against a shark. (provided by Warner Records)
Dua Lipa is an artist known by many for her hit songs that’s allowed her to reach seventh in the world on Spotify in just two albums. Her biggest hits being “Don’t Start Now,” “Break My Heart,” “Dance the Night (from Barbie the Album),” and “Levitating.” Before “Radical Optimism,” she released her debut, self-titled album “Dua Lipa” in 2017 and her sophomore album “Future Nostalgia” in 2020, with her debut being dance-pop and “Future Nostalgia” leaning into the disco more.
On Nov. 9, Lipa released the first single of the album: “Houdini,” which topped the Billboard dance/electronic chart in the U.S. and hit the top 10 in many other countries. It was followed by “Training Season” on Feb 4, which was first teased at the Grammy’s. This release did not get as much acclaim as the other songs, but still hit the top 50s on the charts. Her third single, “Illusion” was released on April 11 as the final single before the album was released on on May 3.
Radical Optimism is a “psychedelic-pop-infused [album] tribute to UK rave culture” according to Lipa in a Rolling Stones interview. Which, ends up being a dance-pop album with elements from psychedelic era, which I don’t agree with as I would compare it more to dream-pop but I digress. The lyrics are mostly love-related which at first I thought was going to be repetitive but it ended up being OK as there was enough variety to make it seem different each time.
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“Radical Optimism” Album Review
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1. End Of An Era - 7/10
A great intro to the song. It sets the mood for the synth and dance pop coming up later while also not being too over bearing. I think it works really well as an intro especially if you listened to the promotional singles and know what's to come.
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2. Houdini - 8/10
The first promotional single and is a great pick. There are some nice pads in the back with a catchy cowbell bringing it together. The lyrics are remember-able but that could just be because of how popular it was when it was released.
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3. Training Season - 10/10
The second promotional single and it's still great. The lyrics are really fun and memorable along with the solid instrumentals making it feel distinct from the rest of the album.
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4. These Walls - 10/10
A softer song on the album while still retaining the synth elements. The lyrics cover the theme of breakup and the song itself is very fun and light. There are great harmonies and makes me feel like I'm looking out a window in a bus or car.
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5. Whatcha Doing - 8/10
A snap back to the rest of the album, going back to the dance and synth pop. The melody feels like it was a scraped "Dance The Night" instrumental but it still works. This one isn't the most notable but there is a silly string sample that alternates between left and right and that part is fun. Definitely leans into the dance pop that Future Nostalgia had.
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6. French Exit - 8/10
French Exit is very chill song, the type that would be on a "3am staring at the ceiling" playlist. There are very prominent drums that make the song feel very thumpy with layers of strings underneath adding to it.
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7. Illusion - 7/10
The final promotional single for the album. It goes back to the dance pop, but calmer now, having more synth pop in the verse then drums coming in for the chorus. I know it's a fan favorite but it's not one I'm looking forward to when listening to the album.
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8. Falling Forever - 6/10
Kinda forgettable for me, not the most outstanding track. It's definitely made to transition between the more pop songs and the slower ones coming up on the album. The song is good but it's not holding a side.
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9. Anything For Love - 7/10
A simple and short song that solidify the album in the new calmer tone away from synths. The song is incredibly short though with about 30 seconds of just talking making the song about 2 minutes. It's one that I would honestly forget listening to in a playlist or even in it's own album.
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10. Maria - 8/10
A more pop-ish song compared to the previous one. It has nice harmonies with a solid instrumental but that's about it. It's a good song but there is nothing notable besides the harmony on the word "Maria" which I can easily find in other songs.
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11. Happy For You - 6/10
It goes back to the loudness of the intro which I think makes it a good outro but it doesn't go with the rest of the final songs and makes it feel out of place. While the lyrics make it a good closing song the melody does not. I would have made "Maria" the closing track personally and moved this one up.
