TayDuaStan Posted May 4 Posted May 4 Happy For You alone deserves to debut with the amount of streams the full album is getting, it's just that good. People are tasteless 2
LCTV Posted May 4 Posted May 4 14 minutes ago, ariananext said: The way I completely missed the release day and have yet to listen to the album, I see people panning it though ur like so unique!
TayDuaStan Posted May 4 Posted May 4 @/DUALIPA book that Taylor Rep Tv collab asap. It's still time to save the era (if you're not gonna go the TikTok route to promote) — And for those saying a Taylor x Dua collab wouldn't work, well I thought the same about a Taylor x Post Malone collab and in the end it worked so anything's possible 1
ithinkheknowsoutsold Posted May 4 Posted May 4 17 minutes ago, ariananext said: The way I completely missed the release day and have yet to listen to the album, I see people panning it though It's a good album, a bit simple but very pleasant nonetheless. Check it out, you might enjoy it. 1
Kristie Kuwa Posted May 4 Posted May 4 3 minutes ago, J-esper said: I survived the debut album pushback, I Will never leave Im also gonna stay and refuse to be made believe that this album is not good. TW, Watcha Doing and Maria could all still become in MY book and world. 3
IBeMe Posted May 4 Posted May 4 If she hired me as her manager instead of her dad: BREAKING NEWS: Dua Lipa begins relationship with accused loser Drake on week Kendrick Lamar destroys him! Watch everyone stream her album out of curiosity and her profile increase in the US instantly! RO 1st week sales: 400k #1 oh wow! oh WOW!!! 3
ChrisTheLoner Posted May 4 Posted May 4 (edited) Well yall know I'm no success stan, I'm here for quality since the first day I stanned Dua back when DSN was released It's an amazing album and its debut on streaming and charts won't change that Edited May 4 by ChrisTheLoner 7 1
SayIt Posted May 4 Posted May 4 3 hours ago, Crank_It_Up said: I wish the numbers weren't like this, but I can't say I didn't expect this nor should ANYONE be surprised. This era has been terribly mismanaged from every step along the way, from releasing Houdini in November when Dance the Night was still going strong, using all the promo for Dance the Night because they hoped they'd land an Oscar nomination… , doing NOTHING to promote Houdini, teasing Training Season at the Grammys and not release it for another two weeks, releasing an awful video for TS, doing no promo for TS, rush releasing Illusion making TS die prematurely and Illusion flop off the bat, pushing the album to May 3rd when they could've waited a week extra so people would've moved on from Taylor Swift… I fail to see how Dua being managed by her father has been a good thing for her…other than the freedom to do music she wanted. Even how they marketed or talked about the album was bad because in no way it was a Brit-pop psychedelic experience, nor was the title even fitting. I was confused listening to this. It is such a good album that has had misfortune mishaps. A little reminder to accept that this era will be for the art, not charts! You have made so many valid points It all has been tough to watch and see unfold My poor training season 3
Rider Posted May 4 Posted May 4 I don't understand many of these reactions. For me this was so instant, I immediately thought it's pretty much on par with FN. I think she set the expectations too high with FN being such a perfect, staple pop era. And this album is more consistent than FN. There's no lows as BWBB. However Physical wasnt topped. Houdini is a better lead than DSN That's all Maria, Falling Forever the hits that you are 4 3 1
roggenpierre Posted May 4 Posted May 4 Same here. No little critic or low streaming numbers will convince me that this is a bad album! 6 1
SayIt Posted May 4 Posted May 4 2 hours ago, tost1 said: MARIA I still don't know the lyrics MARIA ATMOSPHERIC FLUTE PLAYING I think one of the lines is "when I see ya"
halcyonday Posted May 4 Posted May 4 2 hours ago, popmusic said: Yes. It's even worse... Reveal hidden contents Illusion 2.303m These Walls 2.153m Houdini 2.144m Training Season 2.129m End Of An Era 1.402m Whatcha Doing 1.163m Falling Forever 1.097m French Exit 1.02m Maria 0.892m Anything For Love 0.846m Happy For You 0.833m TOTAL: 15.97m
SayIt Posted May 4 Posted May 4 3 minutes ago, Rider said: I don't understand many of these reactions. For me this was so instant, I immediately thought it's pretty much on par with FN. I think she set the expectations too high with FN being such a perfect, staple pop era. And this album is more consistent than FN. There's no lows as BWBB. However Physical wasnt topped. Houdini is a better lead than DSN That's all Maria, Falling Forever the hits that you are Thank you Rider! 1
Naikuun Posted May 4 Posted May 4 (edited) Let's keep this optimistic, if dua believes in this album she will pushed it, and if doesn't work,,, well that will not change the fact that is an amazing album, for me even more instant than FN. And why nobody talks enough about the organicness of it who is doing it like her? Edited May 4 by Naikuun 3 1
Heldenzeit Posted May 4 Posted May 4 Guess I joined the Dua gang at a fantastic time, huh? i don't care tho, enjoying it by myself if i have to! 3
SayIt Posted May 4 Posted May 4 1 hour ago, Cain said: Anyway if this doesn't make her get her ass off and WORK to get these songs out there (very much like Bey did during 4) she deserves everything that's happening. In the past 6 months we've gotten 2 televised performances, what were they thinking Thank you for sticking around in tough times. We really appreciate you!
Moonbeam Posted May 4 Posted May 4 My review: It's hard for a pop star to follow up a smash album, not to mention one that is heralded as sacrosanct for its role in lifting global spirits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future Nostalgia with all of its joyous buoyancy casts a very long shadow that makes it a very hard act to follow. The reception to the follow-up offering Radical Optimism will likely be tethered to Future Nostalgia's coattails. Consequently, many listeners may find it lacking in instant smash hits and wonder-sparked escapism. But in my view, Radical Optimism presents Dua Lipa as a genuine pop artist. In the lead-up to the album, Dua stated that there was more of a lyrical connection tying the songs together as opposed to a sonic one. Boasting production from Danny L Harle, Ian Kirkpatrick, Kevin Parker, and Andrew Wyatt, Radical Optimism is indeed a shape-shifting venture through relationship travails. This varied production provides a rich tapestry of textures for Dua to relay her vocal talents. The first song "End of an Era" showcases this well, opening with Dua's husky depth before she lifts into a more ethereal range during the chorus, elevating further through some spoken sections graced with woodwinds to give the song a blissful reverie. Standout "French Exit" is full of intrigue, sporting a collage of sounds with Spanish-tinged guitars, fleeting synths and flutes, handclaps, and bass to support the most refreshingly unique melodies in Dua's career. The excellent lead single "Houdini" sustains tension as the tone remains constant throughout the verses and choruses before finally breaking into a glorious synthesized flurry during the middle 8 and giving way to squelching guitars. Follow-up "Training Season" is a veritable buffet of acoustic guitars, synths, and organ swells, its rich textures rewarding repeat listens. Elsewhere, the campfest "Falling Forever" sees Dua putting her vocal chops on full display, backed by decadent, galloping Europop splendor that brings to mind elaborate dance routines and a carnival of costumes and headpieces. In this way it is decidedly uncool, which makes me appreciate its inclusion all the more. Following this is another surprise in the 141-second long "Anything for Love" opening with studio speech and a sparse piano-and-vox balladry before momentarily shifting to a danceable boogie. It feels like a fleeting moment and may puzzle listeners, but its inclusion is another welcome surprise. "Maria" is one of the catchiest songs on the album, a dip into sultry Latin-tinged pop/R&B given some interesting undertones with synth flourishes and flutes. "Whatcha Doing" and "Illusion" don't quite measure up to the standard of the rest of the songs. The former bears the strongest resemblance to the sound of Future Nostalgia, but it doesn't quite ignite in the same way, while the latter appears to be the album's most overt attempt at a pop smash, but feels a little overcooked. Nonetheless, both have enough redeeming features to not significantly detract from the overall experience. While most of Dua's discography is on the lighter side of the emotional spectrum, there are a couple songs here which are genuinely moving, providing further evidence of her artistic growth. The breezy sliding guitars of "These Walls" contrast with Dua's lyrical theme of a relationship falling apart to give it a lasting poignance. Her vocal tones shift throughout the chorus from dejection to raw, open wailing, and finally to a resigned sadness, lending emotional weight to the delivery. With lovely piano accents and backing vocals, it reveals a tenderness that belies her reputation for not letting her guard down. The closer "Happy for You" may be even better. It finds Dua taken aback by her own lack of bitter feelings upon seeing her ex happy with someone else. I'll be damned if I don't feel a lump in my throat listening to Dua's vocals float ever upwards as she sings "I must have loved you more than I ever kneeeeeeew", with her outright surprise in her own growth feeling like an epiphany. Placed at the end of an album that chronicles various stages of relationship insecurity, it closes affairs with an optimism promised by the title. While none of the songs on the album immediately burst through the speakers and declare themselves as surefire hits, most of them feature a complexity and depth that give them a quality that is rare in pop music. Hits or not, I find myself continually wanting to return to "French Exit" and "These Walls" in particular so that I can lose myself in their unique worlds. Radical Optimism may not set the world alight in the same way Future Nostalgia, "Cold Heart", and "Dance the Night" did, but it cements Dua Lipa as a pop artist worthy of those expectations. End of an Era: 8/10 Houdini: 8.5/10 Training Season: 9/10 These Walls: 9/10 Whatcha Doing: 7/10 French Exit: 9/10 Illusion: 6.5/10 Falling Forever: 7.5/10 Anything for Love: 7.5/10 Maria: 7/10 Happy for You: 9/10 3 1
SayIt Posted May 4 Posted May 4 2 hours ago, Lady Claire said: Whatcha Doing is hitting me now Yes it was not instant for me. But I am starting to see the light! I am glad you are liking it now! 1
Cain Posted May 4 Posted May 4 27 minutes ago, ahauntingnearu said: 16m... We really gonna see which Dua stans were here for the music/artist vs. the success, huh xjwjcnec Even tho I'm her biggest hater, I've been here since IDGAF () and I fear I must stay 1
SayIt Posted May 4 Posted May 4 3 hours ago, popmusic said: Yes. It's even worse... Reveal hidden contents Illusion 2.303m These Walls 2.153m Houdini 2.144m Training Season 2.129m End Of An Era 1.402m Whatcha Doing 1.163m Falling Forever 1.097m French Exit 1.02m Maria 0.892m Anything For Love 0.846m Happy For You 0.833m TOTAL: 15.97m Is this WW or US only? This is a little confusing. This can't be WW right?
ahauntingnearu Posted May 4 Posted May 4 2 minutes ago, Cain said: Even tho I'm her biggest hater, I've been here since IDGAF () and I fear I must stay Lolol we need your radical optimism rn
SimpleKindofLife Posted May 4 Posted May 4 This album reminds me of Light Years by Kylie. It is a very fun, chilled vibe.
Kyoto Posted May 4 Posted May 4 35 minutes ago, ahauntingnearu said: 16m... We really gonna see which Dua stans were here for the music/artist vs. the success, huh xjwjcnec @TayDuaStan already left I fear 1
Kyoto Posted May 4 Posted May 4 The album sounds better today, but still a huge downgrade from FN and still very basic, but not bad. 1
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