OnlyManInTheWorld Posted May 22 Posted May 22 I don't know if it was discussed here, but what if it was her label that forced her to change the concept of the album after they saw Houdini underperforming? Been thinking about it since the album came out. The only songs that have psychedelic sound, which she'd been mentioning a lot, are two first singles and they sound completely out of place compared to the rest of the record. Maybe the original version was far more darker, but the label decided to play it safe and transformed it into a more laid-back summery one? That would explain the inconsistency of the narrative and the confusion caused by the actual sound of the album.
Cain Posted May 22 Posted May 22 12 minutes ago, ahauntingnearu said: And what's frustrating is that FN was seen as her make or break, then RO, and now DL4 will be again. Like Queen keeps it exciting! 1 2
Cain Posted May 22 Posted May 22 1 minute ago, OnlyManInTheWorld said: I don't know if it was discussed here, but what if it was her label that forced her to change the concept of the album after they saw Houdini underperforming? Been thinking about it since the album came out. The only songs that have psychedelic sound, which she'd been mentioning a lot, are two first singles and they sound completely out of place compared to the rest of the record. Maybe the original version was far more darker, but the label decided to play it safe and transformed it into a more laid-back summery one? That would explain the inconsistency of the narrative and the confusion caused by the actual sound of the album. If that's the case it majorly backfired as Houdini is by far the biggest thing to come out of this era 3
OnlyManInTheWorld Posted May 22 Posted May 22 Just now, Cain said: If that's the case it majorly backfired as Houdini is by far the biggest thing to come out of this era Ikr! Plus I refuse to believe Dua would be so reckless to promote it as her dark/psychedelic era knowing that the album had nothing to do with it. I'm sure there had been lots of discussions behind the scenes which eventually resulted in delivering a half-baked product.
Cain Posted May 22 Posted May 22 1 minute ago, OnlyManInTheWorld said: Ikr! Plus I refuse to believe Dua would be so reckless to promote it as her dark/psychedelic era knowing that the album had nothing to do with it. I'm sure there had been lots of discussions behind the scenes which eventually resulted in delivering a half-baked product. She did call Maria psychedelic so maybe she just really is that delusional Tbh listening to the album it's all pretty cohesive, I think the imagery of Houdini and TS make them feel more disjointed from the rest of the album than they really are sonically, she just keeps using the wrong words to describe the songs I think if she pulled a Billie and released everything at once without any pre-released singles or interviews or imagery it would all sound more cohesive ironically 1
LadyDiana Posted May 22 Posted May 22 7 minutes ago, Cain said: If that's the case it majorly backfired as Houdini is by far the biggest thing to come out of this era I guess they were expecting something big like levitating. I think this album is fun like it is, but no longe waits till next album. Release new one next year queen
Cain Posted May 22 Posted May 22 (edited) Anytime I try to listen to the album I get so irritated by the random full 9 seconds of silence after EOAE like they really couldn't sequence that into Houdini? I'm really missing some transitions on this album as well Edited May 22 by Cain 9
ahauntingnearu Posted May 22 Posted May 22 I also think everything fits together. Houdini is the most 'out there' but otherwise? Timing for DL4 will be really crucial - which is worrying, given her and her team's business incompetence this era... Too soon and it'll be transparent that she's scrambling, it'll just get associated with RO, And people will be more sick of her. Too late and the ship will have sailed honestly. I really think 1.5-2 years is the sweet spot, plus a greater sonic shift that is still not too risky? Idk, easier said than done. She can obvs turn this around, but not easily; she has to be organized and strategic (which again is worrying lol) 2
ahauntingnearu Posted May 22 Posted May 22 3 minutes ago, Cain said: Anytime I try to listen to the album I get so irritated by the random full 9 seconds of silence after EOAE like they really couldn't sequence that into Houdini? I'm really missing some transitions on this album as well I cut mine off at 3:05 or 3:06 -- transitions very nicely into Houdini (Extended) (which is the super version ((which is probably unnecessary to clarify))
Cain Posted May 22 Posted May 22 Just now, ahauntingnearu said: I cut mine off at 3:05 or 3:06 -- transitions very nicely into Houdini (Extended) (which is the super version ((which is probably unnecessary to clarify)) I wish the professional music producers and mixers that got paid royally to put this album together thought of that! 1
ahauntingnearu Posted May 22 Posted May 22 1 minute ago, Cain said: I wish the professional music producers and mixers that got paid royally to put this album together thought of that! One other gripe I have is the transitions for sure. Like thematically, "Another girl leaves the club" -> immediately transitions into the sound of a club track starting that almost entirely contradicts EOAE's message? Then TS into TW into WD into FE into I into FF... Like, huh? I think what makes more sense is EOAE -> WD -> I -> TW -> FE -> H -> TS -> AFL -> ...Thematically, at least, which I know isn't everything. But the narrative is giving Red-level nonsense lol 2
Relampago. Posted May 22 Posted May 22 Cohesion was definitely not an issue on this project, at least sonically, but some transitions and some ad libs added throughout the songs could have really elevated it. That's what's so frustrating about this era. The foundation of a great album and era are RIGHT there, but her and her team didn't push the envelope even a little and so everything fell flat 3
Cain Posted May 22 Posted May 22 12 minutes ago, ahauntingnearu said: One other gripe I have is the transitions for sure. Like thematically, "Another girl leaves the club" -> immediately transitions into the sound of a club track starting that almost entirely contradicts EOAE's message? Then TS into TW into WD into FE into I into FF... Like, huh? I think what makes more sense is EOAE -> WD -> I -> TW -> FE -> H -> TS -> AFL -> ...Thematically, at least, which I know isn't everything. But the narrative is giving Red-level nonsense lol I mean the narrative of the album is 'about being single' which… well yes, that's exactly what is I guess They definitely picked the opening and closing songs based on sound over lyrical theme which I get, they do sound like good opening and closing tracks But the tracklisting in between is a little jarring, there's no reason for TW, WD and FE (all quite mellow) to be right after one another
Cain Posted May 22 Posted May 22 14 minutes ago, Relampago. said: Cohesion was definitely not an issue on this project, at least sonically, but some transitions and some ad libs added throughout the songs could have really elevated it. That's what's so frustrating about this era. The foundation of a great album and era are RIGHT there, but her and her team didn't push the envelope even a little and so everything fell flat Exactly, and after 8 years in the business they should have that figured out by now
halcyonday Posted May 22 Posted May 22 #147 (=) Training Season [1,449,969] #182 (-2) Illusion [1,348,259] #189 (+3) Houdini [1,330,868] Spoiler 1 4
Relampago. Posted May 22 Posted May 22 The way the lashings don't even bother me this era cause her team deserves them 5
liquiddiamonds Posted May 22 Posted May 22 I somewhat think the marketing switch was because of the seasons in the northern hemisphere and it just didn't land. They couldn't debut a beach vacation theme in November. It makes no sense. Both Houdini and Training Season were the only songs in this dark pop universe that made sense aesthetically right before spring break, but unfortunately the switch just alienated her fans and didn't pull the GP in. A beach themed record should be teased around spring. It's a tired comparison, but it's exactly what Sabrina's team is doing. Imagine if she had promoted Espresso during new years' eve when she performed… it would've made zero sense. They waited 2
shark_heather Posted May 22 Posted May 22 Im currently listening to Love Again and i can't believe how from THIS we got ... Maria The album is completely rubbish apart from Houdini
bearman Posted May 22 Posted May 22 The idea was that you sign up for optimism, happiness etc ... while Houdini and Training Season were out + the 'darker' imagery. Then on album announcement day, we were delivered optimism, happiness etc ...
Cain Posted May 22 Posted May 22 50 minutes ago, bearman said: The idea was that you sign up for optimism, happiness etc ... while Houdini and Training Season were out + the 'darker' imagery. Then on album announcement day, we were delivered optimism, happiness etc ... Wait you're right, we did sign up for optimism/happiness/joy/fun/a good time at the start of the era Which makes the album description, Houdini and TS visuals and all the black outfits even going into the MET gala even more confusing 1
bearman Posted May 22 Posted May 22 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Cain said: all the black outfits even going into the MET gala even more confusing She was mourning the first week sales Edited May 22 by bearman 9
Nico Robin Posted May 22 Posted May 22 15 hours ago, halcyonday said: DUA LIPA THE PSYCHEDELIA TOUR 2024 ACT I - THE PSYCHEDELIA 1. HOUDINI (EXTENDED INTRO) 2. PHYSICAL 3. TRAINING SEASON 4. FALLING FOREVER ACT II - DISCO BALL 5. WHATCHA DOING (EXTENDED INTRO) 6. LEVITATING 7. DANCE THE NIGHT 8. COLD HEART / BREAK MY HEART ACT III - WITHIN THE HEART 9. THESE WALLS 10. HAPPY FOR YOU 11. ANYTHING FOR LOVE / SCARED TO BE LONELY (ACOUSTIC) 12. LOVE AGAIN ACT IV - VACANZA 13. HOTTER THAN HELL 14. END OF AN ERA 15. IDGAF 16. BLOW YOUR MIND / MARIA ACT V - FINAL KISS 17. ONE KISS PARTY MIX (ELECRICITY, POTION, UN DIA, KISS AND MAKE UP MASH-UP) 18. ILLUSION (WITH THE ELEMENTS OF HALLUCINATE) ENCORE 19. NEW RULES 20. DON'T START NOW This is cute but I need her to perform Be The One as well. It is one of her best songs and the one that made me a fan 1 1
Cain Posted May 22 Posted May 22 22 minutes ago, bearman said: She was mourning the first week sales NDJEJDKEMEK 1
Null Posted May 22 Posted May 22 Wow, this is so dead :( I play this the whole way through everyday, it hits so much different on warmer days! 1
tost1 Posted May 22 Posted May 22 4 hours ago, Cain said: She did call Maria psychedelic so maybe she just really is that delusional Yeah, she's def not right in the head 1
Recommended Posts