Did Dua Lipa Fumble the Radical Optimism Era? | Review + Analysis
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 2 май 2024
- Dua Lipa's 3rd studio album, "Radical Optimism" is finally out. In this video, we're going to dive into this short but sweet 11 track pop record that's perfect for the summer. Is Radical Optimism an AOTY contender? Did her team absolutely fumble the era? The answers are not that simple. I'm going to break it down for you. #radicaloptimism #dualipa #popmusic
My Podcast, "MacHeads", is out on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1d0AUhq...
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @eljohnmacaranas
Like, comment ur fave track, subscribe, and follow me:
Twitter: / youmightnotsee
Instagram: / ejmacaranas
Twitch: / eljaymac
Soundcloud: / liltakeoutbox
Switch Code (ADD ME): SW-8385-6873-4010
Follow my Apple Music: @eljohn
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS. 
Развлечения
Radical Optimism is finally out! What songs clicked with you and how did you feel about the record?!
These walls, Anything for love, Happy for me
Oh Happy For You and Maria are my faves so far!
@@EricDangolthose tracks really hit for me!
@@noneapplicable1327Those ones hit for me
Falling Forever, Whatcha Doing, and Maria
I feel the aesthetic and the way it was promoted was the albums demise, I honestly don’t think anything from this album will specifically rise but it also won’t hinder Duas career as she’s just come off 2 back to back global smash hit albums, she has room to flop in a sense, but she will have all eyes on her for her next record, it’ll really show if she’s going to hold that longevity.
I think she’ll be fine so long as she continues to do droplets and promos. It also would help if one of her upcoming film projects was a hit.
@@EljohnMacaranas trueeee!!!!
Also, it doesn't help that she dropped the album on one of the worst possible weekends.
@@jellytwins1018Yeah, Billie is up next week too so
Dua's whole aesthetic and sound during the houdini and training season promo especially the grammys performance gave me the impression that it would be more of a dirty grungy club vibe as compared to the glittery dance floor of FN so I was surprised when the album name and cover art dropped
I thought so too! The lack of cohesion makes it seem like a whole different era on its own
She set herself up by saying she was going to explore 70s psychedelia on the album because now people are going to listen and be disappointed... they also set her up by saying that they want this era to make her the biggest pop star in the world and the fact that it's also following an album as good as future nostalgia really doesn't help either 😬
I think her team and her had a disconnect that wasn’t there for Future Nostalgia which felt very focused and singular. This era she seemed to not know what exactly what the theme or overall storyline was. Only recently did it feel like the tracks or story was going anywhere.
@@EljohnMacaranas I don’t know how true it is but I heard she hired her dad as her manager or something for this era which might explain why everything’s felt so messy compared to the last one
@@kurt4789 it is true sadly but not necessarily for this era alone, it just happened after fn and she fired her old management team..
@kurt4789 yeah her dad’s not been the wisest management so far in that case
@@notkyrphilantx0what makes me sad is that there were rumors as early as 2 years ago the writing team for FN were not happy with the management shift and didn’t want to come back, they did though!
The promo was definitely fumbled sadly but thankfully i loved this album my favs are whatcha doing, falling forever and happy for you i think happy for you is one of the top 3 album closers of the year imo
Happy For You is the sort of sound I hope Dua explores soon. She has a distinct voice that shouldn’t be explicitly chained to pop music!
in what way was the promo fumbled iyo?
@@serenity__now id say the single choices even though I liked them and the visuals before she announced the album visuals were very basic and then boom suddenly we are in the ocean and at the beach? I love it but the visuals have been very inconsistent aside from the illusion mv
I LOVE HAPPY FOR YOU!!!
It was too safe and formulaic. Would love to see her do something different
It SHOULD BE A CRIME that Anyting for Love is that short.
Anything for Love is melodically the funnest and neatest song. It's part acoustic, part funk, all-well done.
I was gonna comment this like wtf Dua this record is so good!
@@noneapplicable1327it’s so good!
I think of it as an interlude, the laugh, piano in beginning really sets the mood up...
Shit, you’re so right
I really love the album. Just felt like the videos arent GIVING (aesthetic wise they dont match the theme of the whole beach thing shes going for, however the choreos r great ill give her that ) These walls and maria deserve to be promoted and be singles for sure
These Walls and Maria are gorgeous summer jams that really work with the aesthetic and the feel!
These Walls is the new single
YES! These Walls!
I’m gonna be very honest here. I don’t know how well this album is gonna perform here in America, especially given the fact that none of the singles have really caught on with the general public. And the buzz/hype for this album was nonexistent to the point were you almost didn’t know that Dua was releasing her next album. I fear that Dua’s cool girl image may come back to bite her and that she might be venturing into Katy Perry territory where the fans might only support her, as long as she continues to make hits cuz she doesn’t really have a solid fan base
I agree she is risking Katy Perry syndrome, but I do think she does have the sort of look or charisma to try and do screen roles or venture back into modeling. The lack of urgency or must-listen for this record is its biggest weakness, it’s not a hit record for sure.
This record is magical! It’s like going on vacation but for ur ears! The singles I agree were a mess tho like not visually appealing.
I think the concept was not finalized until recently which lead to the mess.
Dula Peep, my dear, I am whelmed.
Great review video, Eljohn! This album definitely will get good rotation as more of a background track than something i'll put on to sing in the car. Hopefully they grow on me, but so far I really only enjoy the singles!
I get that! It’s a very chill lowkey record. It works really well. Thanks for tuning in! Love seeing ya back in the comments!
Dang I’m like the opposite where the singles are just duds and the album tracks are incredible 😂
album cover with water/sea theme
SOS
HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
RADICAL OPTIMISM
Wait… I didn’t even catch that!
This album is really good in my opinion though not quite as good as Future Nostalgia which is my favorite album of all time but I liked this album more than her debut album. It also reminded me a lot of Endless Summer Vacation from Miley Cyrus (which I'm still waiting for a video for lol jk though I would love one) and my top 3 are Maria, Whatcha Doin, and Illusion
I think it’s a companion record to ESV unofficially like it does fit that same vibe! FN really is the best record she’s cut!
@@EljohnMacaranasI feel like FN was mostly a label guided effort. A really big push to make it successful.
Radical optimism is Duas Solar Power
The key difference is she charted a few songs at the very least, but in terms of reception. Kinda eerie
Future nostalgia spoiled us. That is one the top 10 pop albums of all time. Right up there with 1989 and e•mo•tion
Literally one of the best records to kick off 2020’s
The promotion of this album was so flat. It felt like something they would do in the early 2000s, but half the budget.
Her dad apparently oversaw this era 💀
I was rewatching this and hearing you mention your Future Nostalgia video really made me smile because that was the video I discovered you from and I've been watching since and it's wild seeing how much you have grown since then
Wow! Full circle moment! It’s crazy I’ve kept this going for so long and honestly I feel like a better music analyst/critic from way back when!
I need more time for this one to grow on me too. I think I was expecting a dance album, which I really do love dance pop. I love all three singles, so I was disappointed on the more chill vibe it took. I hope it will grow on me
This is a slow burn record, the dance pop songs are solid but feel like an emergency lever move.
I really love this album, it really showcases her maturity. My favorites are happy for you, Training Season and These Walls.
Happy For You seems to be the push based on SNL and the reception it’s getting!
My key issue with this record is: Incoherence.
1. Houdini and TS are the only songs on the album that truly fit the psychedelic sound that she had teased the album to be. Every other song sounds like a FN reject.
2. Much of this record felt minimalist and underproduced, so to speak. Considering behemoths like kevin parker and danny l harle were on the roster, I expected a bombastic record and this felt very lukewarm.
3. Songwriting was very inane. Strong somewhere, bad elsewhere.
4. Also, the title, album cover and overall sunny theme, feels quite incoherent with the promised dark psychelic sound.
5. Also, she set herself up with the title 'radical optimism', cause that again makes me expect the production to be punchy and energetic, and what we got instead was quite the opposite
6. Also, little to no promo for the record set her up for disappointing numbers. Ideally, this should've been released in feb during the grammy week after that amazing performance.
I think she pivoted sometime in February and decided to just have this be a sleeper era. Whatever original vision of the album likely got smothered by label worries, her team (now managed by her dad) being out of their depth, and album bombs giving too much competition.
I think I can speak for many of us in saying we are grateful for such a thoughtful and comprehensive video so soon after this album's release 👏
Thank you for tuning in! I tend to be quick with thoughts and coverage, but I hate rushing myself. Luckily this was a shorter record!
I think the problem was she focused her energy in promoting "Dance The Night" in the Oscar season than promoting Houdini back in Nov 2023. She only performed Houdini in Feb 2024 which is too late, I think. Im not worried with Dua Lipa's career at this point because its really hard to follow an album like Future Nostalgia, just look at The Weekend with After Hours/Dawn FM. I think DL4 is the real gauge for her career. Radical Optimism for me is the inevitable slump after her fantastic Future Nostalgia.
To be fair, she really wanted that Oscar/Grammy nom for DTN but agreed, Houdini was pretty much neglected. Tbh, I think if she’s smart she won’t “Witness” herself with DL4.
I think people were expecting another Future Nostalgia and I'm glad that didn't happen because this shows she can be more versatile and have her own sound like Charli XCX does. I also like the album's length...short and sweet and not as much filler
Honestly, losing in the short term commercially to be a better artist works but her team definitely needs to learn lessons. She swapped to her dad as a manager and he truly did not live up to her previous standards and team.
‘French Exit’ is my favorite track and might be one of my favorite songs released in 2024 so far… however Kacey Musgraves ‘Deeper Well’ album is still on repeat for me. Dua deff released a great album that will have longevity for sure!
French Exit is such a vibe! Thank you for mentioning it! It’s one of her more unique tracks! Deeper Well remains one of my Top 3 records of the year!
Haven’t finished the video but I hope we get a deluxe and More singles
Literally needs a reissue and a few more singles. The rollout was BOTCHED.
Too short!!!!
@@EljohnMacaranasshe released on the worst weeknd possible.
Imo this album will show how loyal her true fanbase is. Future Nostalgia was a radio/tiktok album for everyone, but Radical Optimism feels like more personal album for true dedicated fans.
Moreover, I think, new generation definitely won't like the album because of matured Dua's personality. They be better bopping to Taylor singing about another breakup using her 14 yo schoolgirl mindset.
Not the Swiftie drag 💀
This is why aside from anything, i still prefer Dua than Taytay
I love the album!! Falling forever, Maria, Training Season, French Exit are my favorite tracks!
French Exit is 👨🏻🍳💋
These walls, illusion, and the end of an era are my favorites!
What a trinity!
whatcha doing is going to be a sleeper hit. it's my fav off the first listen and i bet this one gets a lot of the GPs attention like 'yall how did we sleep on this?'
Pretty Please and Good in Bed were free top 40s… I seriously feel like pop stars kneecap themselves
maria is soooo good
A highlight and I need a music video
i rearranged the track list bc that was really lacking for me. it’s more bearable now but i still find the overall record lukewarm, not as inventive as she made it out to be and thought the production was very safe considering she enlisted kevin parker. lyricism was her weakest yet i feel atp. whilst she has every right to refrain from diaristic songwriting and creating a personal lore for herself, she has called this her most honest record and i just can’t see that yet. i feel like the album needed to be more conceptual and harmonious bc i couldn’t link the album title to the content of the songs, to the visualisers either. i just can’t make out what this record is trying to be, nor what dua is trying to say in her art.
really keen to see how other people would rearrange the album
1. houdini - extended
2. end of an era
3. watcha doing
4. these walls
5. training season
6. anything for love (interlude)
7. french exit
8. illusion - extended
9. falling forever
10. maria
11. happy for you
Anything for Love as an interlude really works and I do agree it feels disjointed conceptually at times. I think she just wanted to drop it and be over with it to do something new in the short term. The singles strategy more or less messed up pretty bad, even if the songs were big in her domestic country of the UK, her US status is a bit messier!
Wait she finally dropped the album. I kept calling her Vacation Queen.
I need to go on vacation rn!
@@EljohnMacaranas me and you both I’m tired of being in America
@@perryjones7771america just needs to NOT
messy rollout aside this is a great album it doesn't feel as iconic as FN but it's a really feel good type of album, i just wished it was a little bit longer, at least 3 more songs would't hurt, i respect when artists try to make full albums with no filler but i just hate good albums that feel short specially since it feels like she's been teasing this album for such a long time for only giving us 11 songs
Yeah, this one was about 3 years past FN Moonlight, I would have loved at least 2 or 3 more tracks even if they were on a bonus version or something.
I was severely disappointed that the album didn’t use the extended versions of the singles.
The extended mix of Training Season is so good
It sucks cuz training season and houdini my favorite dua lipa songs. I like how houdini is a stable hit despite not cracking the top 10. It's still charting 5 months later
Houdini definitely would have benefited from a better non holiday loaded release date
Also I’ve said this in another comment section but “Dua lipa got set up the minute her managers declared that they wanted to make her the biggest pop star in the world with this upcoming album (radical optimism). That was quickly shot down with her song choices , visual concept and the fact that industry vets like Taylor and Ariana and Beyoncé releasing this year… “
Like honestly… the competition this year is fierce, sure 2020 was also a landmine but Dua had space and launched right as the pandemic happened
Great review, I’m impressed how you keep up! This is a great summer bop record. Short and sweet, the vocals and production is amazing. Us pop girlies are well fed this spring. I’m loving TTPD, St Vincent, Beyoncé, Sabrina, Chappell… and omg Willow’s new record is so good!
Hope you feel better.
Thank you so much! I think the output this year rivals the last giant year of poptimism (2014)! Crazy how time flies! 🩵
I think this album was definitely a step back from future nostalgia but as you said I don’t think it’s “a career ender” as you mentioned.
Falling forever is my favourite track. The darker sounds and her voice on this one are so beautifull
It was one of the later cuts if her interview with Zane Lowe shows, might be what the next record will feel like
I'm glad you pointed out the length of the album. I'm assuming she'll eventually release a deluxe version so we can take in more of the aesthetic and sound she's adapted for now but... I'm pretty sure the average pop album has at least 12-15 songs. Especially since it's been more than 4 years since her second studio album, I was expecting more music but I'm still happy with the album! I love her new psychedelic summery sound. I prefer it over FN, also FN has some great songs on there.
Honestly, the FN deluxe tracks were really good (she even withheld some demos I really liked that also leaked around the original version.) I agree that it’s just too short for the hiatus she took. It’s been 3 years since FN: Moonlight Edition.
tbh she should have stuck to the drums/guitar piano sounds, like Maria, french exit and the beginning of anything for love. really disappointed in anything for love, like she was GIVING emotion with the piano ballad, and then the beat dropped 😭
Hahaha yeah, the emotional shift in the middle of Anything For Love is so jarring. She’s amazing acoustic. Very talented!
I really wish anything for love would have just stayed a ballad. It started as this really nice vulnerable moment in the album but the beat made it be a bit less good to me.
I agree solely because the beat lasted too short
My favs are Houdini, Training Season and These Walls, the rest are meek af. I love Dua in a darker, heavier pop, Levitating is just an exception that proves the rule.
Dark pop seems to be the right move but I’m fine with her doing a lite era and recalibrating, she likely will have another project out by this time next year.
Only thing I'm upset about is Houdini and training season's music video aesthetics
I think they should have been beachy… and also both could have been stronger summer releases. I get trying to capitalize off Barbie and maybe try another DSN winter slow burn, but Houdini’s not that kind of track.
I love Maria, End of an Era and Happy For You!! I like the vibes of Radical Optimism with it evoking summer and beach vibes 😎 ❤
Yessss! It was giving Summer!
Falling forever is THE song.
Era closing single please
I love this album & I hope Whatcha Doing & Falling Forever & Maria are the next singles for Dua Lipa!
All three songs could work
I've always been waiting for your analysis... I think Radical Optimism is just like a bonus or extended version of Future Nostalgia... It is likable, catchy but can't give me a "wow" or make me addicted like FN did... Can't call Radical Optimism the next level...
It feels like an extension or a solid EP if it were cut down, but she needed to add some length and variation. It feels too short.
My theory is that the record label isnt promoting the album because she rejected their advice and guidance. She seems to want to be very involved in her management.
Oh I did read she dropped TAP
@@EljohnMacaranas I read that they didn't agree to Kevin Parker as a producer.
Her father is now her manager
Thanks for your insight as always. I was listening to it on the train and I really wanted it to click with me but maybe it'll grow. I really I can feel the same fumble but I don't think it's team or even Dua related per say. I felt it in my bones it has something to do with... how many somewhat conflicting aesthetic things were put forth mixed with saying this album is completely different and being not radically different. I'm not saying it needed to be in any way but the groundwork seemed to contradict the output. I'm still trying to understand the red connection/ shade in all of this BUT my deep-cut faves are Whatcha Doin, Falling Forever, and Happy For You. I really like the story of Maria and Anything for Love. I will stand by Houdini forever and it seems I'm the only one and that's okay. 😋
Yes! The aesthetics and the overall vibe of the record ended up being confused and contradictory. If it had been more straightforward, it would have been a stronger release.
@@EljohnMacaranas 💯💯Agreed doll! It's such a stacked year in music. To stand out, it's gotta be distinct and decisive. But I am radically optimistic the next release will be :)
I also think the singles were well chosen because out of all of them on the album I don’t feel like any of them are “single worthy” besides the singles she chose. You know? I feel like this album is mostly comprised of like I said before …cute chill summer bops like Miley’s endless vacation.
Endless Summer Vacation def had the juice for 2 more singles, Jaded and maybe Handstand would have worked with videos but the lax nature of it all lacks urgency
Definitely a deluxe on the way
NEED
I think the barbie song kept being brought up for a while, she should’ve waited more to drop the first single
I saw her label head mention this and agreed Dance the Night was still doing well when Houdini dropped
Am I the only one who thinks that "Maria" guitars sounds like Kesha's "Die Young"
Wait, they have very similar guitar progressions!
It's a good album, just feels a bit minimalist in some parts, Still got some good songs out of it, but training Season is still That gurl for me
I feel like it’s anticlimactic at moments but still well-crafted. I wish there was a better blending of the dance and soft jams, Anything for Love would have been a cool way to divide the halves
Honestly whatever the flaws in the promotion are, it’s my favorite album of the year. I like Kevin Parker’s work, and if she promoted it more as a laid back album, it might have not been disappointing to some. But I love this album for what it is, and there’s not one skipable track on it. I still think it’s a 8.5/10 album, but I do get why others are dissappinted with this one.
It’s honestly a really good summertime record, played it at the beach recently and it’s perfect for that
Who misses 2021 prime Dua Lipa😢
🙋♂️
I really really wish Dua Lipa would try something a little different now. All of her new music sounds like it came straight off of future nostalgia. It’s getting monotonous at this point.
Your opinion but you are deaf lol. U can’t compare the two
I think it’s the lingering fear or still feeling like an artist who needs to establish themselves. Doja Cat (one of Dua’s contemporaries in my opinion) on her 4th (Scarlet) p much abandoned that attitude at risk of her pop cred, but did well in spite of that.
What songs off of this album sound like they’re from FN outside of the singles?
That’s how I know you didn’t even listen to this album that you think it sounds like fn 😂
i finally listened to RO and i think it's cute pop album. Something good to start your weekend. what i don't like is the tracklisting
Way too short and misbalanced, Anything for Love needed to be longer
I'd describe this album as completely inoffensive
I think that’s more or less what she wanted which comes at risk ofc
Look at you with 20k subs now!!! :)
I KNOW!
She released an album? I thought she’s on a long vacation?
😭😭😭 the album is the vacation
You should also listen to Sia reasonable woman. It's a quintessential Sia album and is a good decent album.
I heard it! Melodically it’s solid but I vastly prefer This is Acting
I feel like if she promoted it more and better it could've been way more popular and not flop. I still believe it can be saved tho
I can see one of the midtempos and Whatcha Doing doing well but she needs to get that video ready
i really enjoy this album, i think houdini not performing well in the states was the first domino to a poor rollout. training season is a far stronger single that shouldve gotten that first push given to houdini. i enjoy the laid back feeling of the aesthetics. CRIMINALLY short album, i replayed it 4 times on a flight from atlanta to NYC. first time i got to How Long in the tracklist, i had goosebumps. standout standout standOUT for me, absolutely love it. i honestly like how this album feels like a nice lil setup for the summer, a truly sunny and sweet album to carry with us, without the pressure of it being a mega album that's attempting to do more than it ought to. it feels like... a safe respite... i guess like a tiny vacation, lol. when thinking about Future Nostalgia's success, yes, the initial album release went super well, but the extended moonlight edition gave it that commercial momentum to keep the spotlight. i could see an extended version of Radical Optimism giving it a second chance at life
An extended version needs to drop at some point just to keep it working
I love happy for you ❤🎉
So glad it seems to be the next single
It honestly feels like 3 random singles and an album full of skips. Everything feels so under level and extremely extremely basic. The writing is very uninspiring and off. Every time I try listen to these other songs I feel like these songs just don’t end up going anywhere and stay at one level rather than really building to something bigger. I honestly think this was just her boring chill holiday album and isn’t meant to actually be, say or do something big. Houdini really set up this album to go in a direction that is nowhere the album ends up
It definitely was set up incorrectly and feels like it needs a deluxe
@@EljohnMacaranas it feels like it faces the same issues Troye Sivans new album does where it is filled with a bunch of songs that don’t belong on the album but are put there because the artist didn’t have anything else up to standards to put on due to time constraints.
Even with his album the singles set the album up to go in a certain direction but once the album is dropped it’s like you’ve just been scammed because the rest of the album is entirely filled out with songs that completely break the cohesion of the era to reach a minimum track limit when it could of easily been an EP which would of given them more time to finish producing the songs and working on the vocals.
A deluxe won’t do much but make the album more muddier and unclear as there was never really a direct vision for the album just like Troyes. Unfinished and uninspired must be the category of pop albums at the moment.
anything for love if it was longer would have been the best song on the album BY FAR
Such a good song 😭
With better production, a good video and better release timing, Houdini would've been a huge hit, on the level of Future Nostalgia.
Honestly a magic themed video is so good
Something tells me that this might be a sign of the Katy Perry effect. By that, I mean her starting off at the top of the world only to eventually experience a major downfall that’s almost impossible to come back from. I’m not saying her & Dua are exactly the same, but this kind of effect’s happened to numerous artists & if her team continues to do what they’re doing, Dua’s legacy will be damaged.
I think that’s the risk of sort of living and dying by the song. Like Taylor and Ariana and other peers sort of have the cult of personality to keep people invested (on top of good music)
Yeah this album is the epitome of cute chill summer bops. the equivalent of miley's summer vacation album. There's no obvious hits besides the singles but in my personal opinion this album is mostly made of background type of music. She should have never presented it as a dark psychedelic rave album, the only touches of that is within... what.. houdini? definitely not presented in the right way.
Like what was really the point of her wearing all black this era and dying her hair red when the album cover and themes aligns with a blue and summery type of theme. Her creative vision was not well executed.
And yeah the majority of the songs were very chill. Honestly if I wanted chill summer bops I’d just listen to Miley’s album cause I feel like her vocals are a bit better.
Still my favorite on this album are ALL of the singles in the order of which it was released. My favorite being Houdini . And I like deeper cuts like “Falling Forever” and “Whatcha Doing”. The rest for me are meh, I’ll listen though though cause I like playing an album fully through. However I will say that I can’t stand the song “These Walls”
But yeah I’d give this album a strong 6 , 7 cause I love Dua, I can’t wait for her next era !!
I was really expecting a dark and 70s feel album , idk maybe im just tired of the same beach vibes
I feel like she just didn't want to make that album (rn)
Found out her Father is now her manager and Warner Bros cut back on promotions
I am not really excited bout the album.. FN was the best and hard to top.
Houdini is my favorite track.
Wondering if she is still seeing Caleb..
I'm so sad that Warner's just not confident or interested in doing her justice this album but I did hear that her father and his team were just not equipped compared to TAP (her previous management)
Your conclusion perfectly sums up how i feel! RO is a good album with some great songs. FN is a pop masterpiece!
FN was world class, this seems more like a strong regional contender
What noone realises is the happy for you and end of an era line up perfectly
Mastermind
That makes sense
I feel like this album would've done way better if Training Season was the first single and then Houdini came with the album (with a better music video). I love in anyway though. It might be my favorite Dua album.
Training Season really had that cool FN evolution sound and would have made an excellent first single.
Still waiting for her to find me
The lead single should've been Training Season ONLY if it was produced better with the live arrangement she does and that perfect last-chorus breakdown that she has in the London session right at 3:24. I will always prefer this live version of the song over the final for this reason. Then we got a perfect start to the era, and with a better video obviously too...
Then the second single would be the vulnerable These Walls which would've been absolutely PERFECT for adult contemporary and pop radio over the winter. The dancing can wait Dua. Imagine the video for this one being ethereal but with the Dua touch, like Hallucinate's animated video come to life. Perfect vulnerable single choice in my opinion.
Then the album comes out and Houdini is the fun track about dipping out. Perfect for a later single choice, which is proven with the numbers it's already gotten. If it had even the same visual it had gotten that would've been just fine, it's a fun pop song that would've become a fan favorite regardless but if it had waited I think the perception of it would've been much better. Then again though, not a big fan of the Dm scale so either way it wouldn't have impacted me XD
Fourth single choice POTENTILLY Illusion, but honestly it as a single choice just doesn't feel right for some reason. It doesn't feel like the album. Idk.
Forth/Fifth single slot can easily be given to Falling Forever or Whatcha Doing for the perfect crowd pleasing choruses for tour.
This era is everything, but could be more for sure. The album as a whole is perfect regardless!
I vastly prefer your layout to the whole blowing the load and sending out all the dance tracks strategy. A contrasty single like French Exit or These Walls for Adult Contemporary would have done wonders for the “she makes the same song over and over” crowd.
@@EljohnMacaranas Exactly! It doesn’t fit the album aesthetic and it turned a lot of people off who got sick of Dance The Night and Houdini to have to sit through Training Season and Illusion 😂😂
Houdini, training season and especially illusion sound like every other dua song. I bet most ppl didn’t even notice when she switched from Houdini to tease training season at the Grammys bc they are so similar 😭
The decision to just do 3 dance driven tracks without a break in between really ends up misrepresenting the final product
Her second album only made waves because the sound was trendy at the time. It’s 2024 and the sound she’s going for is oversaturated. If she wants to keep this sound, she needs to reinvent her sound and not just copy and paste. This album is giving Future Nostalgia rejects lol 🤷🏻♀️
Well, tbf the singles are the FN sounding rejects, the deep cuts on here try to go for a different sort of vibe. Not as popular or trendy but at least distinct compared to the singles.
Training seasons had one of the best merch ever … so sad the stock was very small and US focused
Oh I regret not getting the sweater!
this is definitely her flop era and the numbers are kinda abysmal but i dont think it's completely unsalvageable yet. a nice deluxe version a few months from now, when there wont be so much competition, preferably with some huge features can get her at least an us hit single. or she can take the justin bieber route and release another album in early 2025. either way she can't wait another 4 years to drop something
4 year breaks even with success in between can be a death knell I know the shift from Prism to Witness was 4 years, though Katy definitely failed to cash in on the 2015-16 pop boom
@@EljohnMacaranas exactly. in the streaming era unless you're more of alt leaning artist with a rock solid fanbase, you can't wait more than two years to release a new project. adele felt that with 30 and sometimes i think even rihanna, if she ever comes back, wont make such huge numbers because its been crickets since 2016
I think the lead single should have not released in November instead January of February of this year 👍 and training season being the lead
I agree, Training Season with a stronger video sometime in later February or March even with Cowboy Carter or looming TTPD would have worked.
I don't know why this is flopping.. I can listen to the whole album without skipping to her singles hits.. very odd
It’s really the crowded marketplace (Taylor, Beyonce, Billie)
I feel like the singles sound completely different than the rest of the album. I only listened to the new songs today and not everything as whole yet. Maybe I will like it better that way. I do feel like it is not as good as FN and sounds more like DL1 and some songs almost remind me of Tates "Greedy" and has a few fillers. But it is still good and I am sure I will like it a lot more after a couple more listens. It does have some very catchy songs.
It’s definitely more of a soundtrack record than say a pop blockbuster, I just wish it was advertised that way. People expecting FN part 2 which would have been an easy sell or win are not happy
The US are just tasteless though, not the first time they've been dismissive like this 🤦♂️😪
Honestly, I’m apt to agree, but do remember Americans rarely get real holidays, they wouldn’t “get” the vibes.
I think radical optimism is very good but it’s not good as a follow up to all the hype from FN
Yeah it felt like a missed opportunity overall. Some really solid tracks but the promotion did not do it favors.
I liked the album, the only thing I don’t understand is why Houdini and training season feel so out of place (maybe it’s just my opinion), sonically and aesthetically. I don’t know , maybe the theory that her label pressured her to release a more simple beachy album for the summer is true, given the fact that she had apparently recorded more than 50 songs or so for the album
I don't think so! They have similar messages and music style!
I think Houdini and Training Season’s videos being sort of harsh and stark compared to the airier illusion is why they feel so out of place. Sonically, I don’t think they’re too odd but I do think the label was in full retreat when both sort of failed to make a splash. Like tbh I would have preferred they picked one or the other. TS is a stronger song overall.
you kinda just made me switch up on this album so thank you
It’s a decent album if you fully divorce it from being a serious attempt to top FN or be anything but a spritzy cute summer soundtrack
personally i think that repetative comparing og growing artists' work with their debut and second albums isnt always that helpful, for me this album stands alone
Maybe having her father as manger as opposed to a more experienced promoter is not the best pick?
Oh for sure, that was a big mistake
As an Aussie whos been riding with Kevin Parker/Tame Impala from their earliest of days, I'm not feeling his brilliance translated to this album at all the way alot of yall claim. Its very very watered down and reductive to what hes capable of bringing as a creative and producer and what hes already delivered through his career. And then theres nothing about the album thats distinctly 'Dua' from a storytelling and songwriting POV. I hear her voice but I dont connect with this person thats singing. Theres no concepts, themes, stories that are interrogated or sincerely communicated through the music. Ultimately its just another one of those serviceable middle of the road vague pop albums from another female artist - but with a warped stylistic touch of Kevin Parker. It feels confused between the brilliance of Future Nostalgia and any one of Tame Impalas albums. 🤷♀️
I def think they flinched when Houdini didn’t splash
Yup, you perfectly summed up my thoughts. Whole album sounds like something AI would write. I love Tame Impala and have been to multiple shows of his so I was really excited about this album but…
I wish she saved We’re Good for this album it works better better on Radical Optimism then Future Nostalgia
Honestly We’re Good is so solid and should have been a big hint
This album is my favorite by far but marketing and rollout was odd.
Yeah it felt v confused and unsure, I would have loved her launching it with something like These Walls or Happy for You
This album had to much Optimism not enough Radical.
That’s a pretty apt short summary
This album is not bad. It has a few great tracks, such as "End of an Era" and the closing "Happy for You" (the latter being my personal favorite). But it does suffer from being too short, even by pop album standards and having a general lack of diversity in musicality, especially given the team involved.
Dua has mentioned several times in interviews that she's dance-focused and as such, I didn't expect some avant-garde pop or anything like that, but where FN was a jam-packed magazine full of bangers one after the other, this one somewhat fails to live up to the expectations.
Dua's debut album was way more experimental and allowed us to have songs like "Thinking 'bout You", which is an underrated jam IMO and "No Goodbyes" , which is much more sober and somber in tone and really brings out qualities that we rarely see from her.
I wish Dua will step out a little bit of that mind set of must-create uplifting, easy to process lyrical dance numbers and have it in the back of her mind that she can also excite her listeners in ways that venture out of the dance territory
I think this album was somewhat of a rejection of just being a dance artist. She clearly still has it but there was a more eclectic vibe to the record.
@@EljohnMacaranas Appreciate your comment. It's not a hyperpop album or anything, but almost every song in this album is made for the dance floor or beach party, whatever (maybe save for "Anything for Love"). That's a dance album in my book. What I meant was that she could (and I still hope she will) sometimes reach out to more emotional, deep contemplative songs that aren't necessarily danceable and usually lay out of her comfort zone. She has done it in the past, I'm positive she can do it in the future and I hope she decides to one day
It did come to my mind now, that there could still be some such tracks that she's been keeping for the deluxe version, whenever that might come out
Does anyone else has issues, with listening to the production?... idk, illusion and training season just... hurt my ears. I like them as songs, but her voice is just too sharp for me. I had to skip so many songs, because they gave me a headache. Is it just me?
Think it's u
It’s definitely Parker and Harle’s harsher sort of sounds. But def consider trying the Atmos mix!
I just love dua ... And this album is good.... Right daddy?
I adore the record.
@@EljohnMacaranas 🤍🤍🤍
Like honestly, it’s like a tall glass of Strawberry Lemonade on a hot summer day!
@@EljohnMacaranas yess ... You described it properly...I think people say something bad when an album is not what they thought it would be.... Even though it's better than their expectations.....
I think it’s objectively well done! But again if someone came in expecting FN 2, they’ll always lament
I think they released the album to long after 3 singles the wait was to long the anticipation got lost… normally 1 single gets released then shortly after the album drops it’s gives you a little taste and desire to buy the album, I think people are starting to feel like she is a one trick pony 3 singles had the same vibe. I still like her music and the album but lost interest as had to wait to long.
4 years is a very long wait! But agreed the single choices seemed to feel reductive of the final product
I wonder if the album was so delayed because of fear of second album syndrome or in this case third? She lost a lot by lettings things fizzle. It seems Dua may be regulated to Europe, much like Kylie Minogue has been, never hitting in the States again. This strategy of hearing almost half the album so long before the actual release doesn't seem to work. The album becomes a non-event.
I think there’s definitely a hesitancy on this record and sort of a vulnerability. Going too far into dancepop can sort of be a death knell.
What is "europop production"? What does that sound like? I feel ignorant.
Sort of this electronic vibe that’s more circular and polished than say classic American sounds. It’s hard to pin it, think ABBA!
It’s amazing. Even gaga experimented with it on chromatica!
Replay sounded more in line with FN than say Chromatica lmao