Lost at Sea: Dua Lipa’s Confused Pop Odyssey on ‘Radical Optimism’
Dua Lipa ‘s highly anticipated third album, Radical Optimism, feels like a missed opportunity. While brimming with interesting sonic ideas, the record struggles with cohesion and catchy hooks. Lipa has always been an enigmatic pop figure, more comfortable with enigmatic pronouncements than personal revelation. This aloofness, once intriguing,…
Justin Timberlake’s “Everything I Thought It Was” Fails to Deliver on Redemption Arc
Justin Timberlake ‘s latest album, Everything I Thought It Was, attempts to course-correct his tarnished public image but ultimately falls flat. The bloated 18-track record lacks introspection and relies heavily on rehashed formulas from his past successes. Songs like “Flame” try to recapture the magic of FutureSex/LoveSounds’ “What…
Jennifer Lopez Chronicles Love and Legacy in ‘This Is Me…Now’
Jennifer Lopez returns with her highly anticipated solo album, This Is Me…Now, a reflective journey that serves as a sequel to her iconic 2002 release This Is Me…Then. Delving into her tumultuous love life and eventual fairytale ending with Ben Affleck, Lopez offers an introspective look at her…
“Finding a Balance: Nakhane’s ‘Bastard Jargon’ Blends Joy and Darkness”
When Nakhane began writing Bastard Jargon, they were determined to create “a sex album,” as they explained to Vogue earlier this year. The South African singer-songwriter, now based in South London, intended their third full-length album to be a celebration of joy, contrasting with their earlier, more melancholic…