Is Dua Lipa’s ‘psychedelic-pop-infused tribute to UK rave culture’ just an illusion?
It seems like a lot of music listeners are still less than impressed with the British singer’s latest era, especially after she talked up the influences for her upcoming record, Radical Optimism - 90s rave, Britpop, trip hop. And I’m still hoping Lipa still delivers on all three. I don’t know if she’s just released the more accessible, disco-tinged singles first to play things safe. But I’ve been burned one too many times before by artists making lofty promises like this, getting everyone all in a tizzy, only to be let down by the final product…
That doesn’t mean I like ‘Illusion’ any less, though. For me, Lipa’s latest single is another stylish serve of vibrant, pulsing and euphoria 90s-style club pop, Lipa offering up more of her simmering cool as she beats a lover at their own twisted game. It’s not quite as bold as ‘Houdini’ nor does it possess the same psychedelic bent, but the groove is still pretty slick.
I don’t know, I guess I’m one of the only people out there who doesn’t mind lowkey bangers like this (Again, I am a ‘Flowers’ apologist, though I do acknowledge its flaws). The nod to Kylie’s video for ‘Slow’ (arguably one of her best tracks) is also inspired, setting Lipa and a bunch of high divers and synchronised swimmers against a hazy Barcelona beach backdrop - the exact same place where ‘Slow’ was filmed!
‘‘Illusion’ was the first song Caroline, Danny, Tobias, Kevin and I worked on together, and it really broke the ice for the record,’ says Lipa (via Stereogum). ‘It’s about knowing what you’re getting yourself into, but staying for the hell of it. The joke’s on them, it’s the fun of playing someone at their own game because ultimately you won’t fall for an illusion.’
Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism is out May 3 via Warner.