album: Future Nostalgia — Dua Lipa

words: kayla carmicheal

Future Nostalgia defines itself within the first five seconds of the record. 

There is no better description of the words “future,” and “nostalgia,” and what they mean together. Instantly, you’re engulfed in the futuristic, but Blondie-esque synth as a robot voice declares it so. You’re transported into Dua Lipa’s sophomore album. (Seriously, listen to it through headphones — it’s so cool). 

Reintroducing herself, by the end of the title track, you can be sure that Dua knows her status as a female alpha. Sliding into the next song, “Don’t Start Now” sets the story straight to an ex lover: armed with 808 drums and killer bass guitar, she’s “so moved on it’s scary.” Don’t hit her up. 

Future Nostalgia takes its leap into single potential, too. “Physical,” (not to be confused with Olivia Newton-John’s classic, amazing in its own right) should be on every Nike commercial. Every Puma commercial. I want to see Simone Biles doing flips in time to this song on my tv screen during a Hulu break. The power, the energy, the 80s-aerobic vibes this track serves are so fun and a TikTok hit in the making. 

Many say “Levitating” is the best on the record. While I disagree, I see why, and think it should be the first song you play if you don’t want to listen to the album. It grabs that bass, pulsating downbeats, and puts a sexy, smooth spin on them. Catchy, NSFW, and a groove — what more could a winter single need? 

That’s the thing about this record. It’s incredibly, incredibly horny. And the entire globe is in quarantine. If you’re lucky enough to live with a significant other, congrats. How does it feel to have won, winner? Please be in love for the rest of us. Meanwhile, I’ve got “Pretty Please” to stream, a minimalistic, simple song, with beautiful lyrics such as, “Trickle down my spine, every single night.”

My favorite song, even, is one of the horniest bangers, “Good in Bed.” Aptly named, this piano-powered pop ditty explains a stressful relationship, but that’s…”what makes us good in bed.” The explicit lyrics don’t stop there, but neither does the smooth, punchy beat. A repetitive chorus, Dua Lipa’s deep voice just hops and dances over gives the song such a playful tone. I love it. 

There’s a trend I’ve found with recent pop stars; they’re taking retro disco synth, current pop standards, and making it their own. Carly Rae Jepsen, Caroline Rose, Lizzo, and now Dua Lipa. From feminist ballad “Boys Will Be Boys” to “Love Again,” this album fits so perfectly into society as it stands with every track. 

Do I think Future Nostalgia is a masterpiece? Yes. There’s songs that round out the record that don’t really impress me, but do it for others, like “Break My Heart” and Hallucinate.” Moral of that story is, there’s something on this album for everyone.