The new album Radical Optimism by Dua Lipa has arrived, and while both reviewers and fans have given it varying reviews, it opened at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
Radical Optimism is Dua Lipa‘s first full-length album since Future Nostalgia in 2020. It has a neo-psychedelia-inspired sound with major contributions from Kevin Parker of Tame Impala. The album’s eleven tracks demonstrate Lipa’s readiness to “soak up the sun and dance,” according to Consequence’s Mary Siroky, while overall the record “might not be quite as radical as one might have hoped.” All the same, the album has done rather well, debuting at No. 1 on the UK Official Albums Chart with the highest week of sales by a British female artist since Adele’s 30 in 2021. Likewise, Lipa’s highest chart debut to date—Future Nostalgia debuted at No. 4—comes at No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
After making a week of high-profile performances, including hosting and performing on Saturday Night Live and attending the 2024 Met Gala, Radical Optimism had a strong chart success. Billboard reports that in its first week of release, the record sold 83,000 equivalent album units, partly as a result of its availability in 20 physical formats.
Even still, the album was unable to unseat Taylor Swift‘s The Tortured Poets Department, which has held the top spot since its release last month.
Among the many tour dates Dua Lipa has scheduled include a recently announced performance at Austin City Limits 2024, as well as engagements at Glastonbury 2024, Rock Werchter 2024, and other venues.