Dua Lipa Packs an Upbeat Punch in New Album 'Radical Optimism'

Dua Lipa officially released her third studio album, Radical Optimism.

The followup to 2020’s revered Future Nostalgia clocks in at just a little over 35 minutes and hears her pay homage to ’90s Britpop while attempting to channel her interest in psychedelic pop and the UK’s rave culture. Her songwriting nails the brutal honesty heard during the peak of Britpop, but her appreciation for the rest falters throughout the record and slightly misses the mark. Still, Radical Optimism is filled with catchy and dancey pop gems and makes for a digestible listening experience. Jus don’t expect a “Radical” change from its predecessor.

“Radical Optimism, and the way that I see it, is this idea of rolling with the punches of not letting anything get you down for too long, of always seeing the positive side of things, of being able to grow and move forward and change your perspective regardless of what’s happening in your life,” she told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, “whether it’s heartbreak, whether it’s a friendship, whether it’s a relationship, whether it’s just growing and seeing things differently. I think it’s a big part of maturing and growing up.”

Stream Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism on Spotify and Apple Music.