English singer showcases pop perfection

In response to COVID-19 (coronavirus), national collegiate and professional sports, as well as many school districts and universities have suspended or canceled events over the last month.

At a time when most entertainment is being postponed or cancelled, UK pop star Dua Lipa breaks the rules by releasing her second album, Future Nostalgia, a week early.

With this release, I believe she solidified her name amongst the greatest pop legends and seems to channel past icons like Brittney Spears, Gwen Stefani and Madonna.

I’ve loved Dua Lipa ever since I heard her first radio hits, New Rules and IDGAF. I never guessed she would be the face of dance pop, but I was a loyal fan after hearing One Kiss with Calvin Harris.

The album title track, Future Nostalgia, kickstarts the album with a bang. In the experimental and empowering feminist anthem, Lipa refers to herself as a “female alpha”. She elaborates on this ear-catching lyric in an interview with Apple Music.

“When I put down the lyrics ‘I know you ain’t used to a female alpha,’ I didn’t mean that I was the first,” Lipa says. “The lyric is about the shoulders of the giants I’ve leant on, and the fact that I’ve been inspired by female alphas who have shown me that we can do it. This felt like the perfect album opener because of the fearlessness.”

The album’s lead single, Don’t Start Now, exploded onto the scene with its success on TikTok. The song is brilliant and the most sassy, empowering, fun breakup song I have ever heard. Play this disco-inspired song at a party and you are sure to get the whole place movin’ and groovin’.

In the following tweet, BBC Radio 1 engages in an interview with a fan in promotion of Dua Lipa’s new project.

😱 @GregJames just gave one of @DuaLipa’s youngest fans the FIRST EVER listen to her brand new track #DontStartNow 🎧🎶

Watch Sam give Dua his very honest, incredibly cute first review 📝 pic.twitter.com/XK9IH8gDqr

— BBC Radio 1 (@BBCR1) October 31, 2019

Cool seems reminiscent of the song that Katy Perry and Zedd would release in the summer (365), but still manages to be fresh and original. I think most people would like this song and I see it becoming one of the more popular tracks.

Physical sounds straight out of a futuristic anime soundtrack. The song channels Olivia Newton- John’s 1981 hit single, Physical. The music video accompanying the track is a massive production and it’s an absolute masterpiece.

The track Levitating is truly special. The bouncy verses are a blast and you just have to listen to the song for yourself to see what I mean. It’s a tough choice, but I think this is my favorite one.

Julia Michaels appears on the album, with writing credits and background vocals on Pretty Please. This is the first time you really get a breather on the album, as it brings back to a minimal, smooth groove. The thumping bass line is super chill and it brings the whole song together.

My close second favorite has to be Love Again. This song is catchy and I can never get it out of my head. I love every part of this song and I was shocked when I realized the intro sample 1997 UK hit, Your Woman by White Town. All the violin parts make it super unique, really taking it to the next level.

Dua Lipa continues the nostalgia by referencing a second 80’s smash hit, INXS’s Need You Tonight on Break My Heart. This song is yet another dance anthem; I don’t know how she does it. The accompanying video is another fantastic piece of art.

Boys Will Be Boys wraps up the album, and there’s a lot to unpack. This orchestral piece addresses sexism, double-standards and the growing pains of womanhood. I believe it’s a great way to wrap up this massive album.

I think this album is iconic in every way. Almost every song is a smash-hit club banger and defines modern dance music and pop. Some fans would even say this album “saved pop music”.

Dua Lipa dares you to get up and dance around amidst the chaos and that’s exactly what I’ll be doing. Take your mind off the news headlines, unwind and dance to some awesome songs. It’s therapeutic.

For another music review, read COIN releases third studio album, ‘Dreamland’. For more articles, read COLUMN: Toryn Triplitt shares loss of grandfather, advice for others grieving and Q & A: Class of 2020 lifers.

Logan Lewis can be contacted via Instagram, Twitter, and email.

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