While Lady Gaga and Alicia Keys chose to delay the release of their new albums because of the Covid pandemic, Dua Lipa strategically decided to drop Future Nostalgia a week early. This was a bold move for the British pop star, and it proved to be successful, as it gave her a competitive advantage in an already crowded market. It also sent a signal to fans and the music industry – Dua Lipa was confident she had a hit on her hands.
She was right.
Future Nostalgia draws from the past to create an impressive collection of modern rhythmic pop. Lipa sets the tone for the entire collection from the opening track, blending her pop sensibilities with a retro-inspired sound. For instance, the lead single, ‘Don’t Start Now,’ is an infectious, upbeat track with a modern take on 70s disco. Throughout the album, Dua Lipa seamlessly transitions between genres, from sleek R&B on ‘Levitating,’ to the slinky funk of ‘Love Again,’ to the alt-pop of ‘Physical.’
An avowed third-wave feminist, Ms. Lipa addresses sex positivity and women’s oppression in real life and in her lyrics. In a recent interview with the singer, she asserted women and femme-aligned people have been oppressed by a patriarchal system for decades and cannot fully express their sexuality. “As women, we have been oppressed on how we are supposed to look or be. We have been pushed down for too long to truly feel who we really are and explore the sexual and feminine side of ourselves.”
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It’s, for this reason, her music celebrates sexual freedom and cautions how women might be treated if they join the party.
“Boys Will Be Boys” is a compelling statement about Lipa’s experiences as a woman. Lipa sings that she places her keys between her knuckles when boys are around. Lipa also says that anyone offended by the song is part of the problem.
“Boys will be, boys will be boys, But girls will be women,” she sings in the track.
“With [the song] ‘Boys Will Be Boys,’ that was something I needed to write,” Lipa said in the same interview. “I felt like I was talking about what it’s like to be a woman and something that maybe people don’t really understand in certain aspects.”
Indeed.
The album’s opening song and title track informs, no, warns the uninitiated, “I know you’re not used to a female alpha.” This type of swagger is present throughout the album.
As the first single from this project, ‘Don’t Start Now’ was a massive international hit. Featuring a clear nu-disco sound with soaring verses and a funky chorus, the single was co-written by Caroline Ailin, Emily Warren, and Ian Kirkpatrick. It was praised for its catchy and addictive hook and its irresistible groove. It also earned various awards and nominations, including two Grammy nominations and a Brit nomination. It was also certified Platinum in a variety of countries.
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‘Physical,’ the album’s second release, breaks with the disco vibe heard in most of the collection in favor of an 80s feel. While the funky synthesizers carry the track, the suspense in the verses perfectly conveys the sexual tension in the lyrics.
The crown jewel of this album is ‘Levitating,’ a disco-infused banger! Dua’s homage to first loves transports you to the 70s, the ‘disco is dead’ crowd be damned. In a collection of upbeat dance-pop, none resonate like this. According to Variety Magazine, it’s had 1.3 billion streams, 539,000 sales, and an airplay audience of over 5 billion listeners as of November. Despite peaking at No. 2 on the weekly chart, it was Billboard’s No. 1 Hot 100 song for the entire year of 2021. In addition to staying in the Top 40 for over a year, the song was in the Top 10 for 41 weeks, a record for a female singer.
She leans in heavily to her brand of 70s/80s revivalism here, a trend that’s been bubbling for two decades. Listen to tracks by The Weekend and Ariana Grande. For that matter, reacquaint yourself with peak Mariah Carey, specifically Emotions from 1993. Artists today are fearless in capturing a nostalgic sound that resonates with listeners and reveals their musical influences.
Future Nostalgia’s production is top-notch, with its glossy, modern sheen adding to the retro vibes. If someone were to be transported from Studio 54 in the late 70s to now, they would assume this album was another gem from Casablanca Records. Dua Lipa’s vocals are also a highlight, as she effortlessly switches between styles and tones. Her voice is both powerful and delicate, and it’s clear she put a lot of effort into her vocal performances.
Overall, Future Nostalgia is a fantastic album that shows off Dua Lipa’s immense talent. She has crafted an album that is both modern and nostalgic.
