On May 3rd, 2024, Dua Lipa's long anticipated album Radical Optimism was released. It was based on her recent journey of self-discovery, and trying to find to positive side in messy situations. All of the songs on it are wonderful... but some are still better than others!

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1. 1. Happy For You- This song is so beautiful; it definitely deserves to be Radical Optimism's best song. In it, Dua Lipa sings about how she is happy for an ex, whom she recently saw has a "really pretty" girlfriend. "I must of loved you more than I ever knew, 'cause I'm happy for you."  Also, it is the last track on the album, and does such a great job concluding everything. Overall, his song has a great concept, and incredible vocals.

   2. End Of An Era- This song is the first one on Radical Optimism, and it is amazing. The entire thing feels like a joyful strut, and it is perfectly optimistic. "Another girl falls in love, another girl leaves the club." Dua Lipa fantasizes about spending the rest of her life with the person she just met. From the opening words, End Of An Era sets a perfect tone for the rest of the album.

   3. Training Season- As one of Radical Optimism's singles, this song was released this February, before the record came out. The song is about Dua Lipa wanting to find someone who is very dedicated and serious about their relationship. "I need someone to hold me close, deeper than I've ever known."  It has lots of interesting melodies, and great movement.

   4. Anything For Love- This is one of the most incredibly movement-filled tracks on the album. It is not higher on the list because the song has an incomplete build. It begins with Dua at a dinner party, and people are seemingly around a piano. She begins playing, and the song is slow and instrumental. About halfway through, it speeds up, and has more instrumentation. At the end of the first chorus, the music abruptly stops, and the dinner party resumes. This song and training season have similar premises."I want a love that's set on keeping me," She sings. In the end, Anything for Love is more of a short and sweet remark for the second half of the album.

   5. These Walls- These Walls manages to do so much- it has movement, many sections, great lyrics, and is catchy! This song is the type that is pretty sad, but you want to listen to again and again. Dua Lipa sings about feeling like her and her partner are disconnected, and how they should break up. "Maybe we should switch careers, 'cause, baby, no one beats our poker faces." It is truly just a good song!

   6. Illusion- Another one of Radical Optimism's previously released singles, Illusion is and up-beat song about how Dua Lipa often misses red flags, and now, she is set on noticing them. However, she will not let that stop her from meeting new people! "I still like dancin' with the lessons I already learned," Dua sings in the second verse. Ultimately, this track as a lot of great energy to it, and her vocals sound fantastic.

   7. Whatcha Doing- One of the most honest songs on the album, Whatcha Doing somehow manages to still also me one of the funnest. Dua Lipa sings about wanting to say hello to a new crush. However, she struggles to give up total control in situations, and does not know what to do! "If control is my religion, then I'm heading for collision." In summary, this somewhat-plucky track is a wonderful moment on Radical Optimism! 

   8. Maria- In Maria, Dua thanks her current boyfriend's ex for how she helped him change. The song has a fun guitar part, and Dua Lipa's voice sounds loud and full. "Here's to the lovers that make you change..." The premise is also fairly original. Not many songs are written positively about partners' exes!

   9. Houdini- First released in 2023, Houdini has so far been the most successful single of Radical Optimism. The song has a slightly repetitive structure, but that fits with the psychedelic dance-pop idea Radical Optimism went for. It has a dramatically different vibe when compared the others songs on this album. Most of it is filled with lyrics describing Dua as non-committed when it comes to romance. However, the tone changes for a few moments in the song. "Maybe you could be the one to make me stay," Dua sings. In the end, Houdini has a Radical Optimism theme at its core.

   10. Falling Forever- In Falling Forever, Dua Lipa has a breathy quality to her words in this song, yet she successfully belts almost the entire thing. The dramatic chorus is slightly over-used on the track, and due to the breathines, certain words are lost. Still, listening to Falling Forever is a cool experience. 

   11. French Exit- This song is definitely the most country-style one on the album. In French Exit, Dua Lipa sings about pulling a french exit on somebody. (A french exit is where you leave a party or something without saying goodbye.) The song is catchy and fun at first listen, but has a sadness to it when the lyrics are taken into account. "It's not a broken heart if I don't break it, goodbye doesn't hurt if I don't say it." Dua sings about how she feels like things are not working out with this person, but she cannot bring herself to say goodbye. French Exit adds sincerity to an idea that appears insincere.