Dua Lipa is channeling the timeless essence of “UK rave culture” into her upcoming third album, according to a recent feature published by Rolling Stone.
The pop superstar said she grew up listening to 90s rock and electronica, which inspired the direction of the album, her first since 2020’s Future Nostalgia. With influences ranging from Primal Scream and Massive Attack to Gorillaz, the Barbie hit-maker is kicking off a new psychedelic era of her sound.
“This record feels a bit more raw,” Lipa said. “I want to capture the essence of youth and freedom and having fun and just letting things happen, whether it’s good or bad. You can’t change it. You just have to roll with the punches of whatever’s happening in your life.”
Exploring British club culture and the sounds of “psychedelic pop,” Lipa is embracing the challenge of paving her own path while allowing others into her creative universe for collaboration. Her November 2023 release, “Houdini,” was produced by Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker and Flume collaborator Danny L. Harle.
Warmly referring to them as her “band,” the chart-topping songstress has assembled a phalanx of heavy-hitting creatives, with whom she collaborated to make eight of the album’s 11 tracks. The powerhouse team reportedly includes prolific songwriters Tobias Jesso Jr. and Caroline Ailin, the latter of whom co-write Lipa’s global hits “New Rules” and “Don’t Start Now.”
“I remember thinking it was a genius move to get that combination of people together,” Parker told Rolling Stone. “Like, hats off to her.”
Lipa’s upcoming album does not have an official name or release date at the time of writing. She is currently preparing to perform with Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, which will take place Sunday, February 4th at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.