Dua Lipa – Radical Optimism

[Anticonformity]

I love the album! I just think the promo has been fumbled... and while I think it's healthier for an artist(!), from a GP perspective she has very little "drama" around her so they can't "invest" which is sad but true...

Also, while Future Nostalgia is an amazing album (minus a few!) I do think that some peeps are
relating to the comfort it brought at the time of it's release...

Some of the tracks I initially passed on have grown a smidge on me, the singles were for sure some of the best material on the album, which is why it sucks at how much the promo was fumbled!

These Walls has to be single at some point...

[Deleted]

This is honestly the easiest start to finish album listen I’ve heard in quite awhile. I just skip TS and the album feels like it’s over before I know it. Is it a great album? No, definitely not. It’s far too safe for that. But I think there is something to be said about how easily this goes down for me. Even the much superior FN wasn’t this easy for me to play start to finish (that’s not something I do that often in general). Even Houdini has finally clicked for me much more in the context of an album playthrough.

[thezatch]

The skits that Dua and Bowen Yang were in together absolutely had to be the best of the night. The “Penne alla Vodka” and “Fat Daddy” skits had my BF and I CRYING too.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6mdAlWukZ6

[groovetheory]

Houdini remains as my favorite, it actually is my fave song of hers now. It seemed to be the right route for her, staying true to her lane but with a progressive sound but the album doesn't represent that sadly.

All songs are easy and cute, nothing bad at all, but weak in her standards. Some sound right out of Eurovision - which is okay but not what i'd expect from somebody who gave us Houdini.

[avamaxstan]

May 4, 2024 20:42:17 GMT -5 HEADOFTHEPACK said:

May 4, 2024 17:07:36 GMT -5 Maximillian said:

It will be interesting to see the long game play out on this (and international numbers, where she has more marketshare). However, we are **THREE** singles deep into the era -- we are well past the "early stages". This is not the start of an era, this is closer to the end. Unless the label sees a reason to push more money into the era for a fourth single, or even to send her back to the studio (which I think is the right path), the writing is on the wall that the era is underperforming. Unlike her other albums, which had reasons to not be huge out the gate, they also had hit songs. Beyond Houdini, where is the hit this era?

The label has done the best promo tour for this album they could have possibly done - every major music event she has performed live (across Europe and US), SNL, magazines, radio tour, etc.

I get your point - and her quote almost sounds like she was anticipating a low performance in the US - but to be completely frank, there were higher expectations on her by her label this time. If she is a singles artist (thats fine), she then needs singles to sell. We don't have that going on either.

We had 3x songs singles (forgot about Future Nostalgia!) released before FN came out (Don't Start Now, Physical, Break My Heart - the latter alongside the album to be fair). The only considerable US hit there is Don't Start Now. The era then lasted for maybe two more years. 

Are you talking about the US only? Physical wasn't a US single (it did well in Euro/UK markets), and Break My Heart went #1 at radio and had legs. It only missed the BB top 10 because DSN was still so strong and its peaks were out of sync. I see the point that the monster smash of the era peaked over a year after the album release... but I don't hear any Levitatings on this album, the potential hits have already been released.

[HEADOFTHEPACK]

May 6, 2024 10:02:45 GMT -5 avamaxstan said:

May 4, 2024 20:42:17 GMT -5 HEADOFTHEPACK said:

We had 3x songs singles (forgot about Future Nostalgia!) released before FN came out (Don't Start Now, Physical, Break My Heart - the latter alongside the album to be fair). The only considerable US hit there is Don't Start Now. The era then lasted for maybe two more years. 

Are you talking about the US only? Physical wasn't a US single (it did well in Euro/UK markets), and Break My Heart went #1 at radio and had legs. It only missed the BB top 10 because DSN was still so strong and its peaks were out of sync. I see the point that the monster smash of the era peaked over a year after the album release... but I don't hear any Levitatings on this album, the potential hits have already been released.

Oh that's right, my mistake re. Physical. I guess my overall point there was that saying we're closer to the end of the era seems premature when we're in the week of album release.

[Love Plastic Love]

So I have sat with it a bit longer and generally my complaint is just that many of the songs sound too similar to me. Which, I am not normally against that necessarily. I liked several of Lana del Rey's cds lol. But, in this genre, it just doesn't work as much for me. Not a bad cd, but I just wish they had switched it up a bit more in tempo or general production "sound."
HOWEVER
Falling Forever has clicked with me and it is hitting hard. I've had it on repeat. Might be one of my favorites from her of all time. I like trying and failing miserably to sing along lol.

[Ivy Leegue™]

Well, God really doesn't want me to have this album. I ordered the blue vinyl from Amazon and, since I have had theft from deliveries sent to my apt, it was supposed to be delivered to a nearby package locker on Saturday (already a day late). Well, apparently the locker was full and they tried to deliver it again on Sunday, to no avail. The driver is supposed to notify you if they have problems but I never got notified, just told of the failures. Eventually, I was like just give me a refund and I still want the vinyl. Instead of a refund for $32.45, they sent me a refund for $3.24, LOLOL. Today, I complained again to get that resolved and the whole delivery was just cancelled. At least I was able to download the free digital copy that came with my vinyl when I ordered it, so I guess I will just listen to that, but what a mess.

Edit: They just issued me a replacement vinyl that is supposed to come on Wednesday, but we'll see. Had they moved quicker, it would have come tomorrow. I was literally thinking about going to Target and just getting it from there, but I really don't want that red vinyl. Based on what I am reading about the album, I'm glad I'm getting it for free, so I'll probably just wait til hear it. Clearly, I'm in no rush, LOL.

[Dylan :)]

http://instagram.com/p/C6ogjTWse0R

[Maximillian]

May 4, 2024 20:42:17 GMT -5 HEADOFTHEPACK said:

May 4, 2024 17:07:36 GMT -5 Maximillian said:

It will be interesting to see the long game play out on this (and international numbers, where she has more marketshare). However, we are **THREE** singles deep into the era -- we are well past the "early stages". This is not the start of an era, this is closer to the end. Unless the label sees a reason to push more money into the era for a fourth single, or even to send her back to the studio (which I think is the right path), the writing is on the wall that the era is underperforming. Unlike her other albums, which had reasons to not be huge out the gate, they also had hit songs. Beyond Houdini, where is the hit this era?

The label has done the best promo tour for this album they could have possibly done - every major music event she has performed live (across Europe and US), SNL, magazines, radio tour, etc.

I get your point - and her quote almost sounds like she was anticipating a low performance in the US - but to be completely frank, there were higher expectations on her by her label this time. If she is a singles artist (thats fine), she then needs singles to sell. We don't have that going on either.

So there's a few assumptions here.

We had 3x songs singles (forgot about Future Nostalgia!) released before FN came out (Don't Start Now, Physical, Break My Heart - the latter alongside the album to be fair). The only considerable US hit there is Don't Start Now. The era then lasted for maybe two more years. I'm not claiming that's likely to happen here, but I don't think we can write an album off in its first week of release. I highly doubt Warner and her management (so, her Dad!) will look at these numbers and 'send her back to the studio' as you say.

I would also say the promo has been OK, not the best. It might look good on paper, but they started too early imo and aren't really giving these songs room to breathe, I think Houdini could have had a longer shelf life (even if not higher peaks) if they hadn't moved onto Training Season, which didn't do much anyway - and wasn't even released when she performed it at the Grammys. Bizarre timing.

We also cannot say as definitively as you have that the label had higher expectations. I'm sure that's true of the singles to a degree, but it's not like Dua is making all of these decisions herself and then reporting back to the label for feedback. If things aren't going well, it's down to the label and management to try address it - that's their job.

First off, I really do respect all the points you just made. We can agree to disagree here on a few things, but where I do agree is that Houdini should have been given more breathing room and time to explode, and that the promo was started way too early. Now, when Warner is looking at their top artist roster (Dua is on that list), and they see 3 singles that have under performed and an album (likely) to underperform.... I think there will be concerns. So yes, Warner now has to decide if they want to invest more into the era, or let Dua take a MUCH deserved break after a tour and come back in a few years (she has been going non-stop). As many people here have stated, Dua seems cold / overly polished / bored -- so perhaps, a little time to find new material that connects more with her is not a bad idea.

Now, let's look at the numbers a different way -- because there certainly is a disconnect going on. While Illusion is currently #16 on the pop charts and rising, it is streaming at #124 on Spotify and has *just* broken 10M streams (these are USA numbers, not Global). This is not some hit song that is going to propel her album into long term album sales in the US, and these are the chart numbers the day after SNL and heavy promo all week.

In fact, her entire album except for "These Walls" (#177) and "Illusion" are already out of the Top 200 on Spotify USA. Considering "Houdini" is a decent sized hit, its pretty shocking how hard it has been dropped by the GP, as it's also not in the top 200 any longer. These are her "boosted, just did SNL, dropped an album" numbers -- we can expect these to drop (they already have since Friday).

Global Numbers aren't much better either (if we are looking at big picture) -- Illusion (#60), Training Season (#72), Houdini (#79) and These Walls (#96) -- are all that are below 200 and all of which are also falling since Friday.

I really am happy for everybody who likes the album -- I enjoy a few of the songs. There is also nothing wrong with some fair criticism. If we all sit in an echo chamber here, thats no fun. I still stand by my point that I think her label (and her dad) had higher expectations, and this is not really the global smash they wanted it to be. But I rest my case, and I hope to be proven wrong long term. :)

[thezatch]

The CD is only $9.99 at Target all this week. Amazon has also matched if a Target is not in your area.

[dbhmr]

The album is pretty meh. Nothing terrible, but it's the singles, "These Walls" (which is fabulous), and "Falling Forever" and...that's pretty much it for me. "End of an Era" is cute too, but doesn't take off the way I wanted it to for an album lead-off.

[Bhad Bill]

May 6, 2024 11:12:13 GMT -5 Love Plastic Love said:

So I have sat with it a bit longer and generally my complaint is just that many of the songs sound too similar to me. Which, I am not normally against that necessarily. I liked several of Lana del Rey's cds lol. But, in this genre, it just doesn't work as much for me. Not a bad cd, but I just wish they had switched it up a bit more in tempo or general production "sound."
HOWEVER
Falling Forever has clicked with me and it is hitting hard. I've had it on repeat. Might be one of my favorites from her of all time. I like trying and failing miserably to sing along lol.

None of her songs have ever hit this hard for me! (maybe Love Again).

I keep screaming / screeching HOW LOOOOOOOOONG in my car lol

[wjr15]

I’m loving this album so far. One of my favorites of 2024 (so far). The only song that I’m skipping is ‘Anything For Love.’ Everything else is a fun easy listen.

[schnetzka]

So does anyone else thing the second half of "Anything for Love" sounds like Ariana's 'sweetener' album? The beat reminds me so much of that album (and not in a good way oop).

[Ivy Leegue™]

May 7, 2024 13:40:05 GMT -5 beachboi69 said:

This Album makes Ariana's dust on the floor.

Unnecessary baiting.

[Ivy Leegue™]

beachboi69: I see you have been here for over 10 years, but let me remind you: double posting is against the rules. Please refrain from doing so in the future. Thank you.

Edit: Anthony Fantano didn't really like the album, but he really shat on These Walls, damn. In other news, she is headlining ACL here in Austin in October!

[Dammn Baby]

Can't believe she hired her dad to manage her, and flopped. A reverse Control experience. A management change is in order.

[Ivy Leegue™]

Wait...plot twist...I like this more than Future Nostalgia! She sounds so good, too! She is really putting effort into these vocals and I am curious to see how she performs this album live because some of it sounds kinda...demanding? The ones that come to mind specfically are Falling Forever and Whatcha Doing. I love the use of live instrumentation. I think Kevin Parker pushed her JUST enough so that nothing here sounds like a clone of FN. But, of course, ditto to everyone that said she hasn't the foggiest idea of how to describe her own music which is...kinda strange, especially given how involved she was with this one. Not hearing Britpop (OK, I'll give her Happy For You) but maybe I can get the rave influences here and there, so I walk that back a bit. I just think she shouldn't have brought those influences up at all because people were bound to be fixated on hearing those elements and if those influences aren't quite that apparent enough to call out in all your interviews, then...yeah. I will say that even with Falling Forever, this is a skipless album, which Future Nostalgia, while going through quite the tear of bops, skidded to a halt in the final act. Production is ace across the board, she sounds really into the material, and none of these songs sound like things she has really done before. I give this an A. Critics are dumb.

1. Houdini (This sounds even better on vinyl, OMG. Maybe my new favorite Dua song.)
2. Training Season (SUCH a bop, but also it really brings the drama! This is the kind of Euro music I like!)
3. French Exit (The way this started had me shook like...where is she going with this?? Very seductive and I can definitely hear Caroline Polachek doing something like this. This really excites me.)
4. These Walls (What a great song. This should be the next single. Anthony Fantano is smoking crack when he says this is terrible, cuz...nah.)
5. Illusion (I never really listened to this one before except for maybe once or twice and I didn't remember anything about it. A real strong song and it makes sense that they released it.)
6. End Of An Era (Whew, I really like this and what an opening track! So fun!)
7. Whatcha Doing (I like the vibe of this a lot.)
8. Happy For You (Ahhh, I really like this as a closer.)
9. Anything For Love (This is short, but I think it does what it needs to do, honestly. Very cute!)
10. Maria (This is interesting. At first, I was hearing Island In The Sun by Weezer, but then it turned into something that definitely gives me Caroline Polachek vibes again. Danny definitely didn't give Dua any leftovers though. Dua's personality is in this.)
11. Falling Forever (What is this?? LOL. Is this what people mean by Eurovision? That's the vibe I think it gives me. Dua sounds like she is fighting for her life on this song and against the song. I see King Kevin wasn't involved in this, so I'm not surprised it's at the bottom for me. His best pop work is on this album and he and Danny together make magic.

Oh...the drama with Amazon to get the blue translucent vinyl (a color I really wanted because it's one of the few I don't have). It was supposed to come Saturday via Amazon locker near my apt. It failed because allegedly the lockers were full. They tried again Sunday. Same problem. I was never notified by the driver. So, I got a refund AND they re-shipped it. Today was delivery day of the replacement. Same story. This time, two minutes after the failed attempt, it was left in a "safe location." No photo evidence. No inkling of where said location may be. Was on the phone literally all day with various agents from various departments trying to resolve. No idea. They said it's missing and I should be happy I got a refund initially, so it's not like I am out any money, LOL. Nah, I just am old-fashioned and wanted to wait til I actually got the vinyl to listen. My bad! Anyway, I went to Target and picked up the red vinyl. Already have red ruby (Janelle Monae), but in the end, the music is really what matters and this is a stunning album. She and the team should be proud.

[Elusive Chanteuse]

May 8, 2024 18:44:13 GMT -5 Dammn Baby said:

Can't believe she hired her dad to manage her, and flopped. A reverse Control experience. A management change is in order.

Well, I thought the same after the album and singles underperforming thus far, but…Dua recently gave an interview harping about how great having her father as the manager.

I do think Warner might end up stepping in if the album does end up falling out of the charts immediately and no singles end up clicking, though. We’ve seen way too many artists kill off their momentum/career by mixing family with business so I hope this isn’t something that’ll happen to Dua.

[Glove Slap]

May 8, 2024 18:44:13 GMT -5 Dammn Baby said:

Can't believe she hired her dad to manage her, and flopped. A reverse Control experience. A management change is in order.

The change was such a stupid ass idea. Anyone who told her it was a good one needs to commit seppuku now.

I really like Whatcha Doing, and These Walls is notably better than a lot of the others. However, there's nothing really here otherwise for me outside the lead single. Houdini is still bomb and far and away her best song to come out for me after the original FN. But man, after Don't Start Now, Physical, and Cool, the songwriting is so much poorer. That's the biggest disappointment here. French Exit immediately felt very weak from the writing side and the album pretty much died there for the most part for me. Falling Forever definitely sounds like a Eurovision track. While the sounds on the album are generally lush, that one sounds cheap and undercooked sonically.

She got to indulge and put out what she wanted. Time for the label suits to step in and send her back to the studio or raid the vaults for the re-optimized edition. Maybe then I can put together something for myself that reaches LP length.

Particularly after a four year wait, this is a very disappointing effort.

[bat1990]

The one thing that really bothers me about the album is the track sequencing at the beginning. "End of an Era" ends and then there's this huge pause before "Houdini" begins and it just kills the momentum.

I think making "End of an Era" Track 3 and opening with "Houdini" and "Training Season" in either order would help with the flow, especially since the first two singles are so different from the rest of the album. It would be like - here's the bridge from FN then the End of an Era that leads into the summery beach club vibes of the rest of the record.

Also, why TF did they choose "Training Season" and "Illusion" when almost anything else would've made better singles: French Exit, These Walls, Falling Forever, Maria, Whatcha Doing.

[YourFaveIsAFlop]

It feels like a step back in terms of songwriting to me. I have admittedly never been a huge Dua fan, I just don't get what people see in her in terms of popstardom, but clearly there's something or she wouldn't be where she is. I enjoyed most of Future Nostalgia, even if I wasn't seeking it out on repeat all the time. This, to me, feels more like the debut album. And I definitely get the Eurovision vibes. Maria, Falling Forever, even End of an Era. They feel Eurovision-y. and not in a good way.

[HEADOFTHEPACK]

May 8, 2024 20:55:16 GMT -5 Elusive Chanteuse said:

May 8, 2024 18:44:13 GMT -5 Dammn Baby said:

Can't believe she hired her dad to manage her, and flopped. A reverse Control experience. A management change is in order.

Well, I thought the same after the album and singles underperforming thus far, but…Dua recently gave an interview harping about how great having her father as the manager.

I do think Warner might end up stepping in if the album does end up falling out of the charts immediately and no singles end up clicking, though. We’ve seen way too many artists kill off their momentum/career by mixing family with business so I hope this isn’t something that’ll happen to Dua.

I’m sure it’s great from a personal relationship point of view but yeah, get back to TaP girl!

[Love Plastic Love]

I thought FN was managed perfectly and they really had a plan for the singles and to keep it afloat even during a pandemic. This one feels like a mess in comparison. But...ok, she hired her dad. Now it makes sense lmao.

[felipe]

I can't at people criticizing Houdini when it was released and letting it flop and now calling it the best song on the album, a 10/10

[Mike]

Demo version (supposedly) of "Boys Will Be Boys":

[Choco]

She recently said she loves her dad being her manager because he doesn't push her to do stuff she doesn't want.

Yeah she's 100% going back to the beach as we speak and letting this era tread water.

[Ivy Leegue™]

Vacation Queen! Also, I am so dumb that I didn't realize that Illusion is Hallucinate Part II when I said nothing on this album sounds like FN, LOL. Makes sense that it was the first song she wrote. Falling Forever has really grown on me, btw. That how LOOOOOOONG sends me.

[Maximillian]

As of today, only "Illusion" remains in the Spotify top 200 (USA) at #179. The rest of the album has dropped under 200.

Global is a little better: "Illusion" #71, "Training Season" #78, "Houdini" #81 and "These Walls" #102. The rest are under 200.