Dua Lipa declared that her forthcoming album is “a psychedelic-pop-infused tribute to UK rave culture” in a new interview with Rolling Stone.
Though the British-Albanian pop star didn’t officially name-drop any DJs, she did tell journalist Brittany Spanos that her as-of-yet-nameless third studio LP draws influence from the psychedelic sounds of Massive Attack and Primal Scream’s 1992 album Screamadelica.
Lipa cited further album inspiration from Britpop bands like Oasis and Blur, electronically talented artists like Moby and Gorillaz, and her love for 90s electronica.
“I want to capture the essence of youth and freedom and having fun and just letting things happen, whether it’s good or bad,” she said.
In the days since the release of the Rolling Stone feature, the internet has been ripe with doubters of Lipa’s “tribute” statement. However, a closer look at her collaborators and career interests reveals the three-time Grammy winner is a well-versed raver, after all.
Her November 2023 release, “Houdini,” was collaboratively produced by Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker and Danny L Harle, a gifted electronic hyperpop and hard dance producer who has collaborated with Flume and Hudson Mohawke. The lead single from Lipa’s new project, was also skillfully remixed by Keinemusik founder Adam Port.
Tracking further back, Lipa notably solicited an entire album of dance remixes for her 2020 album Future Nostalgia. The remix album, aptly named Club Future Nostalgia, was mixed in full by none other than The Blessed Madonna and features 15 different dance music producers, including Jayda G, Masters At Work, Horse Meat Disco, Paul Woolford, Moodymann and more.
The “Don’t Start Now” singer was spotted dancing behind the decks at her close friend and house artist Chloé Caillet’s London club night in November. Donning a red wig and sunglasses, Lipa even adopted her own rave alter-ego, “Valentina Vicious,” so she could party unnoticed at Glastonbury in 2019.
Following her recent Rolling Stone remarks, we may get another glimpse into the pop icon’s rave life soon. No release date has been set for Dua Lipa’s new album yet, but the artist has confirmed that the project will arrive this year.
Featured image from Dua Lipa. Credit: Michael Bailey Gates.
