Dua Lipa’s highly-anticipated sophomore album, Future Nostalgia, was scheduled to be released earlier this month on April 3rd. Unbeknownst to Dua, however, it ended up being leaked a few weeks prior which led to an emotional Instagram live hosted by Dua herself. Imagine putting hard work into the making and strategic promotion of your upcoming project, just for an impatient person to take the moment away from Dua and her label by leaking it to the public. To the benefit of her fans nonetheless, she decided to release Future Nostalgia on March 27th instead, the weekend following its unauthorized release.
I have been a fan of Dua since her breakout hit “New Rules” went viral a few years ago, dominating the charts for weeks on end. After the release of her first album that I was very fond of, I was excited to see what she would do next. So, when I heard she was releasing her second album, I thanked the pop lords and braced myself for the serve that it would be… and oh boy was I right.
The three singles released from this album deemed evident that Future Nostalgia would be an ode to 80s pop. So get out your bodysuits, your complimenting oversized blazer with gigantic shoulder pads and your ankle socks and converse, and hit play as you will be transported into a disco appreciating era. Here are a few of my favorite songs from the album:
I first heard “Don’t Start Now” on Tik Tok, and besides the hilarious videos that accompany this song, it deserves all of the recognition it’s been receiving. Vocals aside, the instruments in this song are powerful in and of themselves. This song is very much about Dua standing her ground and telling an ex lover “If you don’t wanna see me living my best life without you, then turn and face the other way! Hit that 180 spin!” Listen to this song when you are finally over that person that has been wreaking havoc on your heart. You’ve moved on, you’re free! Now blast this song and celebrate as you finally rid yourself of that toxic relationship you once were in.
While “Don’t Start Now” is a hit, my favorite song from the album, “Physical,” is an overall feel good song. It follows a very upbeat and funky rhythm, evoking a fun vibe. When I listen to this song, I imagine myself in a vibrant nightclub wearing my best heels and most glittery dress with my curly hair fluffed out to the max, just grooving the night away. When I listen to this song, I am transported into a world that is very much carefree, helping me forget about all of the problems I face in this current world.
Adding to the list lies Dua’ “Levitating.” I don’t know about you, but hearing Dua say sugarboo in the song instantly made it one of my top five favorites. Now “Levitating” is the complete opposite of “Don’t Start Now”. Let me set the scene: you’re in an upbeat nightclub, you have your glittery eye makeup—face beat to the max—and you lock eyes with the most attractive person you’ve seen all night. [Cue “Levitating”] Now you’re both having a playful stare-off as you both dance to the comfortable and smooth beat of the song. And just like that, you find your sugarboo. I really believe this song will lead you to your soulmate. With lyrics as attracting as “I got you, moonlight, you’re my starlight / I need you all night, come on, dance with me” you are destined to find the love of your life with this song playing in the background. Trust me.
Channeling a more intimate tone, “Good in Bed” is without a doubt the most thrilling song on this album; I mean, just read the title. This song has a way of talking about good sex, but not in the common slow and sultry way. I’d like to thank the producers of this song because it happens to be in my top two favorite songs of this album.
What I love about this album is that it explores many topics from sex to female empowerment, but it never loses its funky feel. This album will transport you back to the 80s era while still having that modern feel of today. There genuinely isn’t a bad song on Future Nostalgia. In most interviews I’ve read about Dua explaining what this album means to her, she exclaims how she wanted to make this album not only fun and vibrant, but also carefree, and I think she achieved that in totality. The album also serves as a good opportunity to escape today’s reality, especially with what’s going on in the world as we fight this pandemic (stay six feet apart, kids!).