Review: “Future Nostalgia” Second Studio Album by Dua Lipa
March 28, 2020: Dua Lipa’s sophomore disco-pop album is here, titled Future Nostalgia. — WriterMild
FUTURE NOSTALGIA: Starting off with the title track “FUTURE NOSTALGIA”, the album introduces a throwback Michael Jackson-type beat with a crisp and clear modern production sound. Funky and full of sass, this track features Dua Lipa being her feminist and independent self; a “female alpha” who declares “no matter what you do, I’mma get it without ya.” Setting up a tone for the album and new sound for herself, it seems like Dua Lipa is maturing and finding a very suitable genre that works well with her powerful and nostalgic voice. Based on this track, I think it is safe to say we are excited for the rest of the album. / Music: 9 / Lyrics: 8
DON’T START NOW: Introducing “DON’T START NOW” with the teasing pre-chorus, we get a vibe of her previous era with the instrumentals. Then switching right back to a dirtier bass-heavy groove, Dua Lipa continues to bring out more of her sassy self, saying that she “did a full one eighty” after her break up and everything turned out great. We appreciate Dua Lipa and her team in making the decision to release the album early (as she hopes it would “make you smile” in this rather stressful situation). Because amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems like this track offers the perfect instruction for social distancing: “Don’t show up / Don’t come out / Don’t start caring about me now / Walk away / You know how / Don’t start caring about me now.” / Music: 9 / Lyrics: 7
COOL: Coming in with warm-fuzzy-feeling synths, Dua Lipa tries out a new vocal range in “COOL” and it fits her and this tune well. Switching up in terms of the message, Dua Lipa sings to a lover who makes her lose her cool over what seems to be a Cyndi Lauper-and-Prince-inspired beat. This song feels like a cool summer day by the pool. Though the lyrics could appear a little cliché to some, maybe this is exactly what many might need for the summer; just simple words and good vibes. / Music: 8 / Lyrics: 7
PHYSICAL: Heavily inspired by the 1980s synth-pop dance sound, Dua Lipa carries on with the theme of being in love. Telling her lover to get “PHYSICAL,” the beat matches well with the message; no rest, keep dancing on. Though nostalgic for the most part, Dua Lipa never forgets to hint futurism one way or another. In this track, she sings “Love the simulation we’re dreaming in” as if to tease that maybe none of it is real. / Music: 7 / Lyrics: 6
LEVITATING: With the rich synthy chorus and backing vocals, this track hits a little differently. Singing fast down a descending scale, Dua Lipa blends this throwback music nicely with the modern rap-inspired verses. The album cover seems to be based on this song as Dua Lipa drives with her “Sugarboo” into the galaxy and they go “LEVITATING.” Resembling the sounds of Bruno Mars’ album 24K Magic, this is for sure a fun tune that makes anyone feel like they are in love, or at least want to be. Almost half-way through the album, it seems like this song glues together the album well and we have barely had a skip or filler track on this futuristically nostalgic journey. / Music: 9 / Lyrics: 8
PRETTY PLEASE: Led only by a strong base line for half of the song, “PRETTY PLEASE” has more stripped-down (but still electronic and groovy) instrumentals compared to all the previous songs on this album. Nonetheless, many interesting sounds are used as ear candies. This track is a good little break after “Levitating”, which was fun and dancy. Dua Lipa sings about needing her lover to always be around and hold her; trying to be chill, but just cannot. / Music: 7 / Lyrics: 7
HALLUCINATE: Singing “I HALLUCINATE when you call my name / Got stars in my eyes / And they don’t fade when you come my way,” Dua Lipa brings a little different tone into the album with this 1990s dance tune. Fun for dancing in the club, the lyrics still circle around losing control because of love and being a fool. With its sound that reminds us of a rebellious teen movie, this one is many fans’ favorite. / Music: 7 / Lyrics: 6
LOVE AGAIN: Starting off the track very sentimentally with strings, “LOVE AGAIN” samples the 1997 hit “Your Woman” by White Town. In this song, Dua Lipa reminisces on her past self who used to think she would never be able to find love or fall in love again. The instrumentals of this song hint less about getting high and more about an honest side of this relationship. It is neither overproduced nor boring; just the right amount of instrumentals we need for this theme and at this point into the album. / Music: 9 / Lyrics: 7
BREAK MY HEART: With a good use of silence, “BREAK MY HEART” reminds us of a Charlie Puth-type beat and style of production with a bass line accompanying each word sung in the chorus. This song also samples “Need You Tonight” by INXS and is a fun disco-pop tune despite the lyrics being about Dua Lipa’s hesitation with her choices in love. After this track, we are soon reaching the end of this album. / Music: 7 / Lyrics: 7
GOOD IN BED: Right off the bat, “GOOD IN BED” presents itself as a very playful song with both the melody and lyrics about a lowkey-toxic relationship which turns out well in bed. Being placed as the second to last song on the album, this track offers a really fresh vibe to the collection, almost as if it can be included as part of a different project. Dua Lipa’s also sounds quite charismatic with the little cracks and cockiness in her voice. / Music: 9 / Lyrics: 7
BOYS WILL BE BOYS: Singing “BOYS WILL BE BOYS / But girls will be women,” Dua Lipa wraps this album up with a feminist anthem, which is beautifully accompanied by strings and choir. Shining light on a sensitive topic like sexual harassment, Dua Lipa is making a statement with her music and setting a new standard for herself and other artists. This song acts as a perfect ending for a very fun album, with great production quality as well as noteworthy female empowerment messages. / Music: 8 / Lyrics: 10
Overall Album Rating: 8/10
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Content Details: Album – Future Nostalgia / Artist – Dua Lipa / Release Date – March 27, 2020 / Label – Warner Records Inc.
