Review: Seven years ago, Dua Lipa's debut album marked a confident, powerful entry into the pop scene. The British-Albanian singer effortlessly fused tropical house, EDM,and sleek pop with a distinct sense of self-assurance. Tracks like 'New Rules' and 'Hotter Than Hell' highlighted her knack for crafting catchy, anthemic hits, while 'Blow Your Mind (Mwah)' showcased her unapologetic style. Collaborations with Miguel and Chris Martin added depth, but it was her commanding presence that stole the spotlight on tracks like 'Lost in Your Light' and 'IDGAF', an empowering anthem of self-worth. While moments like the vulnerable 'Homesick' brought a quieter, introspective side, the album remained a consistent celebration of confidence, joy and resilience. This limited-edition picture disc version offers a tangible connection to this defining moment in pop music, celebrating an artist who knew exactly how to own her moment.
Review: Dua Lipa's performance from the Royal Albert Hall captures the exuberance of a superstar at her peak. With a voice that soars through the iconic venue, Lipa brings her dynamic pop anthems to life in a way that adds new layers to their already infectious sound. The set's slick production is complemented by her commanding stage presence, offering a reminder of how effortlessly she dominates the mainstream pop landscape. It's a celebration of Lipa's artistry, offering both intimacy and grandeur in equal measure.
Review: Dua Lipa's Radical Optimism marks an exciting evolution in her artistic journey, showcasing a richer soundscape while embracing fresh influences. Collaborating with Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, Lipa explores diverse musical styles, incorporating elements of acoustic indie pop alongside her signature disco flair. Tracks like 'End of an Era' and 'Houdini' highlight her knack for catchy melodies, while songs such as 'These Walls' and 'French Exit' reveal her willingness to experiment with different textures and arrangements. Hard to live up to her previous album's heights, the album stands out well with individual moments that sparkle with creativity and depth. The lush instrumentation and vocal versatility illustrate Lipa's growth as an artist, making it clear she is unafraid to take risks. The album is an enjoyable experience overall and might just surprise many critics.
Review: Dua Lipa's upcoming album, Radical Optimism, signals a departure from her previous disco-inspired sound. Embracing psychedelic and Britpop influences, the album explores themes of resilience, growth, and the power of optimism. Inspired by her hometown of London and the energy of the 90s Britpop scene, Lipa aims to capture the essence of youth and freedom through her music. The concept of "radical optimism" resonated with Lipa, inspiring her to delve into the history of psychedelic and trip hop genres. With this album, she seeks to convey a sense of confidence and optimism, encouraging listeners to navigate life's challenges with grace. Radical Optimism marks Lipa's first studio effort since 2020's critically acclaimed Future Nostalgia. This edition is released on 'curacao' blue vinyl.
Review: On Alter Ego, LISA steps into a darker, more experimental space, leaving her pop roots behind while retaining that undeniable vocal presence. 'Shadow of Love' pulls you in with its moody synths and subtle tension, setting the tone for the rest of the release. Each track feels like a new layer of her artistic evolution, exploring soundscapes that are as introspective as they are compelling. It's a clear statement of growth, with LISA working with producers who help refine her sound while giving her the room to experiment.
Review: Quiet revolution seems to be the driving force of this sophomore set from lauded trio London Grammar. Lyricist and vocalist Hannah Reid has expanded her subject matter a little, though angst and love lost are still her major concern. Her delivery, too, is a little gentler, something presumably party inspired by the band's warmer and dreamier musical outlook. There are a few heartfelt sing-alongs, of course, but for the most part Truth is a Beautiful Thing is a more considered and voluptuous excursion.
Flume - "Let Me Know" (feat London Grammar) (3:21)
Lose Your Head (Camelphat remix) (3:32)
Strong (High Contrast remix) (3:12)
Help Me Lose My Mind (with Disclosure) (4:05)
Hell To The Liars (Kolsch remix) (12:37)
Wasting My Young Years (Henrik Schwarz remix) (8:32)
Oh Woman Oh Man (MK remix) (5:34)
Sights (Dennis Ferrer remix) (7:06)
Hey Now (Bonobo remix) (5:48)
Baby It's You (Joris Voorn extended remix) (3:18)
Review: This new long player from Ministry of Sound is their contribution to Record Store Day 2024 and it takes the form of a bunch of mixes of London Grammar's various different tunes. Global house outfit Camelphat feature a couple of times with some nicely emotive and upbeat sounds, 'Strong' gets a jump up drum & bass rework from High Contrast, Henrick Schwarz brings his emo house touch to 'Wasting My Young Years', MK adds some dance-pop sheen to 'Oh Woman Oh Man' and Dennis Ferrer remixes 'Sights' into a tense tech cut with snappy drums.
Review: The Greatest Love is a fourth studio album from London Grammar, their first since October 2021's Californian Soil and one that comes 11 years after their groundbreaking debut album If You Wait went double Platinum. The band say it is a celebration of artistic freedom and comes after a period of chance in which some of them have had children, they have toured the world and sold tree million albums, had two number one hits and picked dup accolades like the Ivor Novello award and BRIT nominations. It embodies newfound confidence and creative liberation amidst personal challenges and industry scrutiny, and features a boundary-pushing sound that blends electronica with pop.
Review: American singer Jennifer Lopez's third album This Is Me Then trend 20 years old in November 2022. On the day of its anniversary, Lopez announced she would be releasing a sequel in 2023, and we can't wait, frankly. This is a classic soul, R&B and hip-hop fusion with plenty of effortlessly catchy grooves and silky top lines from Lopez. 'Jenny From The Block' will always be the album's most iconic tune but the likes of 'Loving You' and 'Dear Ben' (Affleck, presumably, with whom is now back once again) sit up there with the likes of Brandy and Ashanti as classics of the era.
Review: Some Lorde fans were a little irritated by 'Solar Power', the lead single from her comeback album of the same name, primarily because it sounded far more influenced by cheery '90s indie-pop and summery blue-eyed soul than her moodier early work. She's carried that over into album, which arrives as a boxed high-res download with tons of additional content (poster, postcards, booklet and so on). The singer-songwriter's first set in for years is full of gently warming fare, from the opaque, dewy-eyed folk of 'Stoned in the Nail Station', to the early 2000s R&B-pop-goes-summer soul flex of recent single 'Mood Ring'. There's no glum moodiness here, just gently positive music to raise your mood in these most testing of times.
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