Dua Lipa (album)


Dua Lipa is the self-titled debut studio album by English singer Dua Lipa, released on 2 June 2017 through Warner Bros. Records. After finishing school in 2013, Lipa took a gap year to look for a music manager and eventually begin her career. She ultimately signed with Ben Mawson of Tap Management and began working on the album that year, to eventually get signed to Warner Bros. Records in 2015. She worked on the album until 2017, enlisting the help of many producers, including, Ian Kirkpatrick, Stephen "Koz" Kozmeniuk and TMS. Dua Lipa is primarily a pop and dark pop record, with elements of acoustic R&B, electro-funk, synth-pop and tropical house.
Dua Lipa was supported by the release of multiple singles. Sleeper hit "Be the One" and "IDGAF" both entered the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart, with the former of which becoming her first. "Hotter than Hell" gave Lipa her first UK Singles Chart entry, eventually peaking at number 15 and "Blow Your Mind " gave Lipa her first US Billboard Hot 100 entry, peaking at number 72. "New Rules" was the most successful single from the album, giving Lipa her first UK Singles Chart number 1 and first Billboard Hot 100 top 10 entry, where it peaked at number 6. The album was further promoted with Lipa embarking on The Self-Titled Tour in 2017 and 2018.
Dua Lipa was commercially successful, peaking at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart and number 27 on the US Billboard 200. The album also entered the top 10 of 13 territories worldwide. It received generally favorable reviews from critics, with many praising Lipa's voice. The album also appeared on multiple year-end lists. It was nominated for British Album of the Year at the 2018 Brit Awards, while "New Rules" and "IDGAF" were nominated for British Single of the Year. The album is currently the most streamed female album on Spotify with 7.22 Billion streams. After the album's release, Lipa won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
In October 2018, the album was re-issued titled Dua Lipa: Complete Edition, that included previously released singles, "No Lie" by Sean Paul featuring Lipa, "Scared to Be Lonely" with Martin Garrix, "One Kiss" with Calvin Harris and "Electricity" with Silk City. All singles were commercially successful, reaching the top 20 of the UK Singles Chart. The re-issue also included three unreleased tracks, including "Kiss and Make Up" with Blackpink, which became a successful album track entering the UK Singles Chart and US Billboard Hot 100.

Background and release

Lipa relocated from living with her parents in Kosovo back to England at the age of 15, with the intent to pursue music as a career. Without family, she took up residence in Camden, London, and shared a flat with a friend, re-enrolling at Sylvia Young Theatre School part-time. Lipa networked as she hostessed at nightclubs and began modelling; she starred in a 2013 X Factor commercial that brought wider exposure.
Upon completing her studies at Parliament Hill School, Lipa decided to take a gap year and resolved to find a music manager—which came to fruition as her demos caught the attention of Ben Mawson and she inked a major-label deal with Warner Bros. Records before the year was through. Work on her debut album began immediately in 2013 as Mawson arranged sessions with a string of collaborators, and Lipa seeking a sound marrying that of J. Cole and Nelly Furtado. Work continued throughout 2016 as Lipa travelled to promote released music in the United States. She confirmed that she had continued to work on the album in 2017 and that she was in the studio with MNEK.
In July 2016, Lipa announced that the album would be released on 30 September of that year as well as revealing the cover art. However, the cover art received unfavorable reviews from fans and critics. The following month, Lipa updated the cover art and pushed the release date back to 10 February 2017. Rachel Sonis of Idolator described the cover art as "minimal yet smoldering" and features Lipa in a scaly jacket, staring into the camera with wet hair covering one side of her face. In January 2017, the album was delayed a second time to 2 June, with the intention to include "new songs and exciting collaborations."

Music and lyrics

Dua Lipa is primarily a pop and dark pop record, with acoustic R&B, electro-funk, synth-pop and tropical house elements. It opens with "Genesis", an R&B track with a 1980s electro-guitar. The song has break up and religious themes, where Lipa apologizes to a lover for being on the road too often. The following track, "Lost in Your Light", features American singer Miguel, and is an old-school dance-pop, electropop, power pop, synth-pop, and R&B song. Including soulful vocals and a techno beat, the song is about true infatuation. "Hotter than Hell" sees Lipa taunting an ex-lover who cannot resist her. Its production includes hip hop-influenced verses and pop choruses, as well as marimbas and steelpans. Musically, the song includes dancehall elements, and blends dance-pop, disco, EDM, electropop, R&B-house, and tropical house genres.
"Be the One", which Lipa describes as about "self belief, perseverance, and fighting for what you want," sees her pleading for a romantic redemption with her boyfriend after a falling out. A Europop, power pop and synth-pop song, it includes gospel and dream pop elements, as well as tropical R&B beats, electropop riffs and 1980s grooves. "IDGAF", which is short for "I Don't Give a Fuck," is a pop song where Lipa uses a deadpan vocal delivery. Backed by military drums and electro riffs, the song is a middle finger to an ex. "Blow Your Mind " is an electropop and nu-disco track about embracing oneself and not listening to others to fit into a criteria. The song includes tropical and indie beats and bubblegum pop and K-pop synths and vocally, Lipa blows a kiss at the end of the chorus.
"Garden" is a soulful Eurovision-style electropop power ballad with betrayal and religious themes. In the song, Lipa acts as a reflective girlfriend at the end of a relationship, over a stormy production with apocalyptic drums. "No Goodbyes" is a dark electropop song about a failing relationship. "Thinking 'Bout You" is a bluesy acoustic R&B and retro-soul ballad. A stripped-back song, it is accompanied by an acoustic guitar and lyrically, it paints a picture of loss. In "New Rules", Lipa gives herself a set of rules to get over an ex. A tropical house, EDM and electropop song, it includes drum and horn instrumentation and bashment elements. "Begging" is a synth-heavy tropical house song with upbeat melodies and 1980s elements. The album closes with "Homesick", a duet with Chris Martin of Coldplay. A piano ballad, it is about being away from family.
The deluxe edition of Dua Lipa contains five additional tracks. "Dreams" is a tropical house and dance song with synthesizers and horns, drawing influence from the 1980s. The song speaks about crushing on someone irresistible. "Room for 2", which Lipa describes as "a scary kid’s nursery rhyme," is a dark, dreamy, and soulful ballad with lyrics about karma. The lead single, "New Love", is a soul-tinged synth-pop ballad with R&B inflections and a tribal drum beat. According to Lipa, the song is about "facing the fear of losing the only thing that matters to you." "Bad Together" is a groovy song with electronic pings and African drums. The final deluxe track, "Last Dance", is chillwave, synth-pop and post-EDM song, with lyrics that discuss an intense relationship that could crash at any moment.
The complete edition of Dua Lipa contains seven extra tracks. "Want To" is a dark pop song with moody synths and electro vocals. "Running" contains vocal pleas and strong accompaniments. "Kiss and Make Up", a collaboration with Blackpink, is an electropop and dance song with bass synths. "One Kiss" with Calvin Harris is blend of many genres, including dance-pop, deep house, diva house, Eurodance, funk house and tropical house. Silk City collaboration, "Electricity", is a piano-driven dance-pop and house song. "Scared to Be Lonely" with Martin Garrix is a future bass and EDM song that sees Lipa pondering whether a relationship is legit. Sean Paul song, "No Lie", a reggae-tinged tropical pop track featuring Lipa appears as the last track on Dua Lipa: Complete Edition.

Promotion

On 20 December 2016, Lipa released a documentary short film produced by The Fader teamed up with YouTube Music and directed by Robert Semmer, titled See in Blue. The documentary details her journey in music thus far and shows off her true, new self—who she has been working to become. Intent on authenticity and influenced by the likes of J. Cole and Nelly Furtado, her dreams of making a pop album that defines her as an artist have come true. To promote the album, Lipa embarked on The Self-Titled Tour, which became her most successful tour to date.

Singles and other songs

"New Love" was released as the album's lead single on 21 August 2015. A music video directed by Nicole Nodland for the song was released. Remixes by Jarreau Vandal and Para One were also released. "Be the One" was released on 30 October 2015 as the second single from the album. Although it didn't initially chart, it became a sleeper hit in 2016 after being picked up by radio stations in Germany and later across Europe. In 2017, the song became Lipa's first UK Top 10 single after it reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart. The song received double platinum certifications in Australia, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland and received platinum certifications in Belgium and the United Kingdom. The song received two music videos. The first was directed by Nodland and filmed in Soho, London. The second was directed by Daniel Kaufman and created in partnership between Lexus and Vevo and Ansel Elgort appears as Lipa's love interest. "Last Dance" was released as the third single on 9 February 2016. The song received remixes by Stefan Ponce and Coucheron and a music video directed by Jon Brewer and Ian Blair.
"Hotter than Hell" was released on 6 May 2016 as the fourth single. The song became Lipa's first entry on the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at number 15. It was certified Platinum in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom and gold in Australia. She performed the song on her US TV debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The song received a music video, directed by Emil Nava, that was filmed at a warehouse in London. "Blow Your Mind " was released as the fifth single on 26 August 2016, alongside the pre-order of the album. It was also serviced to contemporary hit radio in the United States on 20 September 2016 as the first American single from the album. The song reached number 30 on the UK Singles Chart and gave Lipa her first US Billboard Hot 100 entry, where it peaked at number 72. Its music video was directed by Kinga Burza and it received remixes by Alex Metric and Karma Kid. On 28 October 2016, the first promotional single "Room for 2" was released. An accompanying music video was released a week later on Hunger TV's YouTube channel.
"No Lie" by Sean Paul featuring Lipa was released for Paul's EP Mad Love the Prequel on 18 November 2016 and was later included on Dua Lipa: Complete Edition. It received a music video that was directed by Tim Nackashi. The song reached number 10 on the UK Singles Chart. The second promotional single, "Thinking 'Bout You", was released on 6 January 2017. It received a music video, directed by Jake Jelicich and a remix by Decco. Lipa's collaboration with Martin Garrix, "Scared to Be Lonely", was released on 27 January 2017 and was later included on Dua Lipa: Complete Edition. The song was a commercial success, reaching number 14 and 76 on the UK Singles Chart and US Billboard Hot 100 respectively, while also being certified platinum in both countries. It was promoted with a music video, directed by Blake Claridge.
The album's sixth single, "Lost in Your Light" featuring Miguel, was released on 21 April 2017. It was promoted with remixes by B-Case and DJ Rasimcan as well as a music video, directed by Henry Scholfield. The reached number 86 on the UK Singles Chart and received a silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry. "New Rules" was serviced to contemporary hit radio in the United Kingdom on 15 July 2017, as the seventh single from the album. It was a commercial success, becoming Lipa's first number one on the UK Singles Chart and first top ten entry on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number six. It received platinum and multi-platinum certifications in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. The song was nominated for British Single of the Year at the 2018 Brit Awards and was promoted with several live performances, including ones on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards. Its Schofield-directed music video was also successful, being nominated for British Video of the Year and Best Choreography respectively at the 2018 Brit Awards and 2018 MTV Video Music Awards.
On 1 December 2017, "Homesick" was released digitally as the eighth single from the album. Later that month, it was sent for airplay in Belgium and the Netherlands. The song was promoted with live performances, including one on Saturday Night Live. On 16 November 2017, it was announced that "IDGAF" would be pushed as the album's ninth and final single. It was serviced to contemporary hit radio in the United Kingdom on 12 January 2018. The song reached number three on the UK Singles Chart and number 49 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was additionally certified 4x platinum in Australia and Canada and double platinum in Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States. It was promoted with a music video, that was also directed by Scholfield and a BBC Radio 1 live performance collaboration with Charli XCX, Zara Larsson, Alma and MØ. It received two remix EPs, that include remixes by Young Franco and featuring Saweetie.
Lipa's collaborations with Calvin Harris, "One Kiss", and Silk City, "Electricity", are included on Dua Lipa: Complete Edition. The former was released on 6 April 2018 to commercial success, reaching the summit of the UK Singles Chart and number 26 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It received many remixes, including one by R3hab and a music video directed by Nava. The latter reached number 4 and 62 respectively on the UK Singles Chart and US Billboard Hot 100. It was originally released on 6 September 2018 for Silk City's EP of the same name, with a music video directed by Bradley & Pablo. "Want To" was also released on 6 September 2018 as a promotional single from Dua Lipa: Complete Edition. The song was released in promotion of Lipa's collaboration with Jaguar. It reached number 82 in Australia and 52 in Ireland. Despite not being released as a single, "Kiss and Make Up" with Blackpink was commercially successful, reaching 36 and 93 on the UK Singles Chart and US Billboard Hot 100 respectively. It received a silver, gold and platinum certification in the United Kingdom, Italy and Australia respectively.

Critical reception

Dua Lipa received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 72, based on eight reviews. Alex Green of Clash lauded it as "a debut album brimming with confidence, confidence not only in Lipa's own voice and her eye for a chorus, but in the emotive quality of her lyrics." Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic praised the album as "a delightful collection of catchy pop gems where the songs only serve to highlight her vocal prowess" and "an excellent first effort from a budding pop star". Writing for NME, Jamie Milton wrote that Lipa's voice "could make the thickest synths seem tame in comparison and carries a 20-a-day raspiness capable of making heartfelt ballads sound edgy", adding that "it's equally impressive to hear how confidently the debut holds itself together, flitting between styles but always shining a spotlight on a legitimate pop sensation." Tom Hull said there is "a bit of gravity in her voice, nothing spectacular in the arrangements, but catchy enough and grows on you."
Ben Hogwood of musicOMH referred to Lipa's "powerful and distinctive" voice as "one of the most distinctive you will hear in pop music currently", while commenting that "he only potential issue with her approach lies in the production behind the songs". Hogwood concluded that "the hope is that her talents will get more room and less post-production time." Kate Solomon of Q magazine praised Lipa's voice as "very, very good" and opined, "What makes this album more than just a load of precision-engineered musical nothingness between a series of tentpole singles is Lipa herself. Songs that in other hands would be little more than throwaway filler swell into anthems for girls who can't stop falling in love." In a mixed review, The Guardians Hannah J. Davies stated that "espite a few generic offerings", the album is "a solid pop debut that is high on summery nonchalance". DIY writer Alim Kheraj remarked that "across the album's 12 tracks there are bangers aplenty", but ultimately found that a lot of the album "feels overthought and calculated".

Year-end lists

Awards and nominations

YearOrganizationAwardResult
2017BBC Music AwardsAlbum of the Year
2018Brit AwardsBritish Album of the Year
2018Hungarian Music AwardsForeign Pop/Rock Album or Soundtrack of the Year
2018LOS40 Music AwardsInternational Album of the Year

Commercial performance

Dua Lipa debuted at number five on the UK Albums Chart, selling 16,223 copies in its first week. Following Lipa's appearance at the 2018 Brit Awards, the album reached a new peak position of number three, with 9,518 copies sold. Dua Lipa was certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry, having sold 623,084 units in the UK. Following the release of the Complete Edition on 19 October 2018, the album jumped from number 56 to number nine on the UK Albums Chart, selling 7,651 copies. In the United States, Dua Lipa debuted at number 86 on the Billboard 200, before peaking at number 27 in February 2018 with 15,000 copies sold. As of April 2020, the album had sold 4 million units worldwide.

Track listing

Notes

Standard and deluxe editions

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Dua Lipa.

Recording locations

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Dua Lipa: Complete Edition.

Musicians

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Chart Position
Australian Albums 46
Belgian Albums 8
Belgian Albums 139
Canadian Albums 24
Danish Albums 15
Dutch Albums 12
French Albums 140
Irish Albums 9
Italian Albums 75
Mexican Albums 43
New Zealand Albums 31
Swedish Albums 26
UK Albums 9
US Billboard 20053

Chart Position
Australian Albums 22
Belgian Albums 49
Dutch Albums 45
Irish Albums 16
New Zealand Albums 42
UK Albums 19

Certifications

Release history