The following information is from a news article published by the Associated Press: Dua Lipa is levitating above the water, with the sun just starting to descend in the background. She appears robust and calm, except for the imminent danger posed by a colossal shark, whose fin barely breaks the surface just a few feet from her.
The picture is the front cover of her upcoming third album, titled “Radical Optimism,” which will be released on Friday. The album is a fitting visual depiction of seeking and safeguarding inner tranquility in difficult circumstances. This is a thematic evolution for the acclaimed pop artist, who has consistently characterized her music as a fusion of dance and emotional expression.
The word “cheeky” accurately represents the lively and celebratory nature of her most popular pop songs, but “Radical Optimism,” with its blend of psychedelic and electro-pop elements, adds complexity to this characterization.
She recently told The Associated Press, “There is undoubtedly a more cathartic element that accompanies the third album.”
Dua Lipa Is All About ‘Radical Optimism,’ In Her Music And Other Pursuits
“‘Future Nostalgia’ provided me with the opportunity to create a meticulously crafted pop-dance-disco album,” she explains, referring to her second release in 2020. “Radical Optimism,” on the other hand, was shaped by the knowledge she has acquired from her global tours in recent years. It incorporates elements from trip hop and Britpop, as well as a fresh fascination with live instruments.
“The creative process for her latest album was characterized by a greater sense of freedom and fluidity,” she remarks. Although it lacked a specific formula, I consistently kept a pop sensibility in my subconscious.” My intention was solely to engage in experimentation and endeavor to generate something innovative. This record has always been the exact album I have desired to create.
From multiple perspectives: Regarding her initial album, Lipa expressed her desire to collaborate with Kevin Parker from Tame Impala, particularly on her third album. The manifestation was successful, resulting in his being an essential participant in the project “Radical Optimism.”
“It felt as if an innate intuition within me was indicating that it was a result of my efforts,” she states. “I envisioned the opportunity to collaborate with a highly inspiring creative individual and gain valuable knowledge from him over a period of time.”
Regarding the title of the album, she describes it as being ecstatic and representing a sense of unity.
“Dance music has a rich history of establishing a secure and protected environment.” “And I simply want to personify that,” she continues.
She has exerted significant effort to reach that point. Lipa, currently 28 years old, commenced her professional journey at 15. She successfully persuaded her family to let her relocate from Kosovo, her birthplace, to London to pursue a career in the pop music industry. She attended school and worked as a model. In 2017, she published her self-titled first album, which included the highly successful dance-pop songs “New Rules” and “One Kiss.” Next, the nu-disco electropop of “Future Nostalgia” in 2020 established her as one of the most prominent figures in pop music. Impressive for a distinctive vocal style in the age of streaming, where attracting and maintaining the interest of a large audience has become increasingly difficult.
Dua Lipa Is All About ‘Radical Optimism,’ In Her Music And Other Pursuits
In 2024, her pop songs exhibit a form of acquired flexibility. Lipa incorporates unconventional synth sounds, layers melodies, showcases an expanded vocal range (especially evident in the track “Falling Forever”), and draws inspiration from U.K. rave culture and genre-defying artists like Primal Scream and Massive Attack. These are all aspects that Lipa admits she would have needed more audacity to explore on her previous album. That collaboration involved Parker, producer Danny L Harle, songwriter Tobias Jesso Jr. (noted for his work with Harry Styles and Adele), and Lipa’s frequent collaborator Caroline Ailin.
“She possesses the ability to effectively manage a multitude of viewpoints in the room, including her own,” Jesso informs the AP. “She does not prioritize her own values over others’, but rather selects the ones that are most effective in accomplishing her goals.”
“We were a musical ensemble,” Lipa states of the collective. On the initial day, they penned the word “Illusion.” On the second day, the song’s title is “Happy for You.” “I had never composed a song of that nature previously,” she highlights. “I cherished that particular manifestation of my identity.” On the third day, the music genre known as post-disco pop is included in the song “Whatcha Doing.” They meticulously perfected Lipa’s most ambitious and euphoric-sounding record in bright and spacious facilities in London and Malibu.
Lipa’s many activities also demonstrate a consistent use of experimentation. She has taken on more juvenile roles, as she describes with a smile, following her portrayal of Mermaid Barbie in the highly successful film “Barbie” (where she also provided the widely recognized, Grammy-nominated song “Dance the Night” for the soundtrack) and her portrayal of LaGrange, a seductive spy, in “Argylle” (a brief performance that AP film critic Jake Coyle praised as the movie’s standout few minutes).
In 2022, she established a newsletter called Service95, which she considers an expansion of her childhood blog, to share stories from other global perspectives rather than just a Western viewpoint. It has evolved into a website, podcast, and book club: “It is simply another one of my hobbies that I have successfully transformed into a profession, which is truly wonderful,” she says, beaming.
My passion for the music profession requires me to constantly connect online due to my day job. “Currently, I am no longer engaging in doomscrolling on Twitter,” she states, referring to her media enterprise. “By engaging in this activity, I am acquiring fresh knowledge about the world.” I enjoy experiencing such contradictions in my life.
Dua Lipa Is All About ‘Radical Optimism,’ In Her Music And Other Pursuits
It is a dichotomy driven by curiosity, exemplified by Lipa’s act of confronting Apple CEO Tim Cook during an interview on her podcast over allegations of child labor in the Democratic Republic of Congo mining cobalt for iPhones, which garnered significant media attention.
“That was both frightening and highly exhilarating,” she states. “The outcome of an interview is always uncertain.”
Shortly after she visits the AP’s New York headquarters, Lipa attends a public high school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan to engage in a talk with kids. Drew Barrymore chairs the discussion.
Shortly after her arrival, Lipa departs with equal swiftness. An enduring sense of optimism fills the atmosphere. She previously mentioned to the AP that she aims to be intensely pleased in her personal life and pursuits.
“Occasionally, one must compel oneself to experience that sensation,” she remarks. Maintaining gratitude is undoubtedly a skill that requires regular practice.
She has composed the exercise soundtrack for “Radical Optimism.”
SOURCE – (AP)
