Dua Lipa is offering fans a glimpse into the creative whirlwind behind her upcoming album, Radical Optimism. Shared on Instagram, the behind-the-scenes video titled “Chapter One” hints at further installments to come.
Lipa, set to release her third studio album on May 3rd, is known for her genre-bending sound. Radical Optimism promises a fresh exploration, drawing inspiration from psychedelia, trip-hop, and Britpop. Singles “Houdini” and “Training Season” have already offered a taste of the sonic palette.
The video opens with Lipa in the studio, navigating the “beauty of the chaos” as she describes it. Footage intercuts between recording sessions, brainstorming story-telling approaches, and the playful photoshoot for “Training Season’s” artwork.
Lipa reveals a meticulous approach, stating, “I rewrote so many of those parts” while working on “Houdini.” Collaboration is a key theme, with Lipa highlighting the extended creative process with Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, Danny L. Harle, Tobias Jesso Jr., and Caroline Ailin. “It made it feel like a band,” she explains.
The focus on experimentation is clear. “We’re trying to create a world in a different way, and sonically it was about experimenting,” Lipa says. Thematically, however, resilience remains a constant. Lipa recently revealed a song that provided a pivotal “eureka moment” while crafting the album, though details remain under wraps.
Lipa’s busy year continues. She’ll headline Glastonbury 2024 alongside Coldplay and SZA, with rumors swirling about a documentary capturing her experience at Worthy Farm. A one-off concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall this fall and a summer European tour round out her packed schedule.
With Radical Optimism on the horizon and a dedicated creative process unveiled, Dua Lipa is poised to deliver another genre-defying chapter in her meteoric rise.