nooniebao Posted May 3 Posted May 3 4 minutes ago, Asherio said: It's been posted already darling. 💋 The thread's moving quickly darling 💋
babyforlife Posted May 3 Posted May 3 I like falling forever Houdini is realy stand out after listening the album 1
SweetenerNostalgia Posted May 3 Posted May 3 come on rolling stone dont let the taylor review lashings affect you and give this instant classic
scottstreet Posted May 3 Posted May 3 15 minutes ago, halcyonday said: 68 (+1) / 100 it's coming back for the 70s if someone showed this post to me 2 weeks ago i would laugh at their faces
pink lightning Posted May 3 Posted May 3 While yes, it was a bit off-putting seeing her talk about the psychedelic rave influences from the album, I'm more than satisfied with the official release. The vibe is immaculate, she's showing that she's still a master of pop melodies and the growth is there, I can see it aging way better than FN, I just wish it hit harder on the production but when I do my second listen on proper headphones I may pay attention to the other details. Falling Forever was the standout for sure, my jaw dropped when I heard the first note, but hats off to Happy For You, I wasn't expecting that at alllll so obsessed, Whatcha Doing and Maria are also heavenly. I think a week for now the f*gs will switch as usual. Like it could be so easy for her to appeal to the global/american market coming from the high of FN/DTN and make what's trendy but my favorite thing about the album is that is just SO european, she's truly Dua Minogue. 2
DoubleRainbow! Posted May 3 Posted May 3 She's killing it on iTunes if that means anything in 2024 31 #1s so far 1
skwonderfactory Posted May 3 Posted May 3 Okay, so I am currently on my first ever listen (currently on "Illusion" so I have time to type this because I'm reading the lyrics as I listen) and my F**KING GOODNESS THE PRODUCTION DETAILS. ARE. INSANE!!!! Like I am only listening to .m4a files, yet it feels like I am listening to FLAC ones/a best quality vinyl. She's already topped Future Nostalgia in my book!!! PHENOMONAL ALBUM!!!!!! 3 1
KOMH Posted May 3 Posted May 3 This album would've been all killer no filler without Anything For Love. Let's hope it eventually clicks
SayIt Posted May 3 Posted May 3 15 minutes ago, skwonderfactory said: Okay, so I am currently on my first ever listen (currently on "Illusion" so I have time to type this because I'm reading the lyrics as I listen) and my F**KING GOODNESS THE PRODUCTION DETAILS. ARE. INSANE!!!! Like I am only listening to .m4a files, yet it feels like I am listening to FLAC ones/a best quality vinyl. She's already topped Future Nostalgia in my book!!! PHENOMONAL ALBUM!!!!!! Thank you for the support. I am glad you enjoyed it
Asherio Posted May 3 Posted May 3 11 minutes ago, Iceland said: Sorry but i hate the critics, maybe the swifties made some points I'm cackling. Gotta appreciate the sense of humor from the loves at least. Lol
Relampago. Posted May 3 Posted May 3 Oh well the critics will be out of their jobs within this decade Still PERCHED for tonight! I have my edibles ready 2 2
KOMH Posted May 3 Posted May 3 I'm not mad, I'm not hurt You got everything you deserve I must've loved you more than I ever knеw I'm happy for you
Shazbaz13 Posted May 3 Posted May 3 Half way through and loving this!!!! She did it again. I already loved the singles so expected no less 1
SayIt Posted May 3 Posted May 3 12 minutes ago, DoubleRainbow! said: 4 hours Hang in there. Are you going to stay up?!
HonourableVomit Posted May 3 Posted May 3 as a Potion truther I was vindicated, this is her Funk Wav Bounces for sure.
SayIt Posted May 3 Posted May 3 9 minutes ago, Shazbaz13 said: Half way through and loving this!!!! She did it again. I already loved the singles so expected no less Awesome Enjoy the experienced. Let us know your favorite song 6 minutes ago, Nein said: These Walls is SOOOO good. Yasss! These Walls. The anticipation
Moonbeam Posted May 3 Posted May 3 (edited) On first listen, I really liked this! I like how Dua is stretching herself into newer territory. Her statement that there was a common lyrical theme more than a sonic one makes sense, as there is a fair amount of variety musically, which is satisfying! There were quite a few moments that surprised me, and some of the subtle (and not so subtle) production choices made for a nice experience. I don't see the psychedelic influence (or inspiration) much, but there are touchstones to a lot different sounds and styles. My relative views on the songs may change with time, but on first impression, here's how they'd stack up: Training Season / Happy for You: 9 "Training Season" is enthralling and addictive. The organs and guitars really drive it forward and have made it my most listened to song of 2024 so far. "Happy for You" was genuinely emotional, like Dua's take on Robyn themes. Her singing and elongating the "you" in "Happy for You" really tugs at the heartstrings. Houdini / These Walls / French Exit: 8.5 "Houdini" is excellent and enduring. It has only grown in my estimation over time. While at first, the lack of a sonic shift until the break felt a little awkward, I've come to appreciate how it builds and sustains tension. "These Walls" is another heartfelt song that hit me. Her singing showcases a vulnerability, and I love the backing vocals. It's the song that keeps lingering in my head as well. "French Exit" intrigued me from the tracklist reveal due to its song title, and it delivers on that intrigue! I love the little guitar flourishes, the subtle flutes, and unique melodic choices in the verses. End of an Era: 8 Perhaps the most dynamic song on first listen, I love how there are lots of changes. The initial verses didn't grab me much, but the way it keeps shifting makes it rewarding. I love the spoken word sections and the whimsy in the production - are those woodwinds?! This is a song that might very well end up my favorite. Falling Forever / Anything for Love: 7.5 "Falling Forever" is big, brash, Europop meant for a massive production with celestial costumes and headpieces. That's not always my favorite style of music, but it works quite well for me so far. I like the gallop in the rhythm her vocal prowess is on full display. It's decidedly uncool and that's what makes it cool. "Anything for Love" feels like an intimate little snapshot into the recording process. I can see the criticism for it being so short and feeling unfinished, but I kind of like that such a song made its way onto such a prominent album! The boldness of it is appealing. I like how it shifts from the "Songbird"-ish intro into the more uptempo section. Maria / Whatcha Doing: 7 "Maria" may not be as memorable as some of the other songs, but it benefits a lot from some nice production flourishes, whether it be periodic synths percolating underneath the production or the flute flourishes. This is another one that will likely grow on me with more time. "Whatcha Doing" feels like Dua's bread-and-butter disco-funk inflected dance-pop. That's right up my alley sonically, but it didn't feel like it really took off as much as I would have liked. Maybe I just need more time with it! I wasn't that fond of "Dance the Night" at first, but it grew on me in the end. Illusion: 6.5 I'm pleased that this is my least favorite, as it's still a serviceable song. There are moments I quite like (the "I already know your type" parts, the instrumental break), but overall it just feels a bit like lackluster in comparison. Overall I'm quite pleased! It may not have a "Levitating" or a "Physical" or a "Future Nostalgia" which immediately swept me off my feet, but it is good-to-great throughout and showcases real artistic growth. There are a few moments where my personal pet peeve of what I call "vowel abuse" comes in (e.g. "Trai-ning sea-son's oh-vie", the way she sings "worked", "burn", "deserve" in "Illusion"), but they don't detract from it too much. I'm going to really enjoy playing this repeatedly! Edited May 3 by Moonbeam 3
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