radical optimism obviously came and went. the tour did well but a lot of that was probably on the strength of FN. so does she need to release this year to maximise her chances of a comeback, or can she afford to wait a bit longer between album cycles as she usually does?

Not really tbh

I hope not, she's released nothing this year (apart from the Jennie album track) so next year would be ideal to have a comeback

as long as she can afford them vacations she's all good

She needs to releases DL4 by this year to keep the momentum going. Look break doesn't do any good for an artist.

Nobody from the more recent crop who last released in 2023–24 (or even 2025 if your name is Doja Cat) can afford to wait until 2027.

The way they basically stagnated the era after Illusion and didn't even promote a song from the RAH album for a quick UK/EU hit kinda indicated for me that they wanted her to be 'away' long enough for them to launch in 2026. But we'll see. She would be stupid to wait until 2027

no

i'm surprised she got as much mileage from FN goodwill as she did with the tour. obviously that won't happen twice.

I don't think the public cares she just needs a radio hit

Afford vacations?

Absolutely.

The tour doing well even if you say it's because of FN is a sign of that. People showing up for it shows they'll be ready if the next album is good.

I think Q4 2026 is a great time to launch. Especially depending on how music releases stack up.

Not Fall 27 but if she does Q4 26/Q1 27 she'll be fine.

I think we get DL4 in September/October with first single in May / June

Edited December 30, 2025Dec 30 by mike_int

2 hours ago, gelato said:

radical optimism obviously came and went. the tour did well but a lot of that was probably on the strength of FN.

I think touring-wise, she'll be fine regardless. Even Renee Rapp is selling out arenas effortlessly. Lorde did too.

I can't see there ever being a time when Dua can't sell out UK stadiums and arenas worldwide.

I do think in terms of success with music, she is done

in the long run, i think it's better for her to release something truly substantial and well thought out, even if she loses a fan or two with the wait, than a rushed mess to capitalize on the tour. but if it's quality, surprising and fast, that'd be even better.

No.

Yes, she's past the point of feeling like she has to prove herself, so she'll just release music whenever she feels like it

Edited December 30, 2025Dec 30 by BrokenMachine

3 hours ago, swiss3234 said:

Look break doesn't do any good for an artist.

This is such a lie.

2 hours ago, J-esper said:

The way they basically stagnated the era after Illusion and didn't even promote a song from the RAH album for a quick UK/EU hit

Agreed. The way theses walls & forever forever was gaining small traction & they didn't do anything. I thought when she headline that festival she was going to try to shoot for another single but didn't.

Give us a summer anthem droplet Dua!!!

As much as I want new music she just finish the era this month

I don't want same times roll out like she did with FN & RO eras end of the year lead single & album in April/ may

No, she has good will from the tour + a lot of major artists have released in 2024 & 2025 already so she has a lot of room to make Q1/Q2 completely hers.

Radical Optimism wasn't a flop but it was a notable decline from Future Nostalgia and the era (in terms of singles) ended already in 2024 and she hasn't released new music since... so she most certainly needs to put another album out in 2026

She needs to drop asap in the new year the lead single tbh

She's already 30 and a lot of her appeal is based on her beauty so….

I need more dua music

Imagine duet with Madonna on Ms new album ... They both work with Stuart Price and already collaborated briefly on Levitating remix and new Ms album will be dance record which would make sense.

Probably not realistic but would make sense

She definitely should release next year.