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Future Nostalgia
Dua Lipa driving a car in a cosmos. On the top left, there is a moon.
Standard edition cover
Studio album by
Dua Lipa
Released27 March 2020 (2020-03-27)
RecordedAugust 2018 – November 2019
Studio
  • TaP, the Bunker at 13, RAK, Sarm, Sleeper, Oddities (London)
  • Green Oak, Diamond Mine, Zenseven (Los Angeles)
  • Modulator (Toronto)
  • Pulse (Silver Lake)
  • The Windmill (Norfolk)
  • Gold Tooth (Beverly Hills)
  • Masterlink (Surrey)
Genre
Length37:17
LabelWarner
Producer
Dua Lipa chronology
Dua Lipa
(2017) 		Future Nostalgia
(2020) 		Club Future Nostalgia
(2020)
Alternative cover
The Moonlight Edition cover
Singles from Future Nostalgia
  1. "Don't Start Now"
    Released: 31 October 2019
  2. "Physical"
    Released: 31 January 2020
  3. "Break My Heart"
    Released: 25 March 2020
  4. "Hallucinate"
    Released: 10 July 2020
  5. "Levitating"
    Released: 1 October 2020
  6. "Love Again"
    Released: 11 March 2021

Future Nostalgia is the second studio album by English singer Dua Lipa. It was released on 27 March 2020 by Warner Records. Lipa enlisted writers and producers including Jeff Bhasker, Ian Kirkpatrick, Stuart Price, the Monsters & Strangerz, and Koz to create a "nostalgic" pop and disco record containing influences from dance-pop and electronic music. The album was inspired by the music that Lipa enjoyed during her childhood.

The album was supported by six singles, along with the title track as a promotional single. "Don't Start Now" was released as the album's lead single, attaining both critical and commercial success and peaking at number two on both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100. Other singles included the UK top-ten singles "Physical" and "Break My Heart", as well as a remix of "Levitating" featuring DaBaby. It reached the top five in the UK and the top two in the US, and went on to top the year-end Hot 100 chart of 2021. The album was originally scheduled to be released on 3 April 2020, but was moved forward after being leaked in its entirety two weeks earlier. To promote the album, Lipa embarked on the Future Nostalgia Tour, which commenced in February 2022 after being postponed three times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]

Upon its release, Future Nostalgia received universal acclaim from music critics, many of whom praised the production, its cohesion and Lipa's stylistic evolution. The day after the album's release, Billboard declared that Lipa was "leading the charge toward disco-influenced production".[2] Commercially, the album topped the charts in fifteen countries and reached the top ten in thirty-one countries. In the United Kingdom, it peaked atop the UK Albums Chart for four non-consecutive weeks, becoming her first album to do so as well as garnering her first-ever nomination for the Mercury Prize, and earning the Brit Award for British Album of the Year. At the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, Future Nostalgia was nominated for Album of the Year and won Best Pop Vocal Album, whilst "Don't Start Now" was nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.

Future Nostalgia was succeeded by its remix album, Club Future Nostalgia, which was released on 28 August 2020 to positive reviews from critics. A French edition of Future Nostalgia was released on 27 November 2020, which yielded the French number-one single "Fever". A reissue of the album, subtitled The Moonlight Edition, was released through Warner on 11 February 2021, along with its lead single, "We're Good".

Background

[edit]

After the release of Dua Lipa: Complete Edition in October 2018, the expanded deluxe edition of Lipa's debut album, and the single "Swan Song" in January 2019, released in promotion of Alita: Battle Angel (2019), Lipa confirmed that she was working on a new album.[3] In October 2019, Lipa began teasing the album as a new "era,"[4][5][6] before clearing her social media later that month to announce the lead single, "Don't Start Now".[7][8][9] Lipa stated that she cleared her social media in order to prove to herself that social media wasn't real, that one could post and choose to use platforms any way they wanted. She further elaborated that she wanted to start fresh with her new album, but she would always have her memories.[10] Whilst promoting "Don't Start Now", Lipa confirmed that she would be announcing the album in late November or early December 2019, along with the release of the title track.[11]

On 1 December 2019, Lipa revealed the album title through a tattoo on her left bicep with the title, Future Nostalgia, while also announcing its accompanying arena tour of the same name and that the album would be released in 2020.[12][13] The following month, three songs ("Physical", "Break My Heart", and "If It Ain't Me", an unreleased collaboration with Normani) leaked online in a security breach.[14] Shortly after on 29 January 2020, Lipa announced that the album would be released on 3 April of that year.[15] The following day, the track list was revealed and the album was made available for pre-order.[16][17] In late March, the entire album leaked and the release was brought forward by a week to 27 March 2020. Lipa additionally expressed her concern about releasing the album during the COVID-19 pandemic.[18][19]

Concept

[edit]

Cover artwork

[edit]

The cover artwork of Future Nostalgia was shot by French photographer, Hugo Comte, who also handled the creative direction and the photographs associated with the album's campaign, with Guillaume Sbalchiero handling the design.[20] It was shot on 13 November 2019, and Lipa revealed it on 29 January 2020, along with the album's release date announcement.[15][21] During shooting the promotional photography, Comte had one song on repeat for each shot to get Lipa in the mood for him to get the right shot.[22]

[Lipa] really believed in me and gave me complete creative freedom. [When] I'm on set with Dua Lipa, I need to understand the way she sees herself. I need to find a balance between the vision she has of herself and the vision I want to create for her. [Future Nostalgia] is based on change. Her whole character, all her music is redefined. The whole concept is based around the transition between nostalgia and future. She's very determined. She's like a Marvel [superhero] or a cartoon character. She has super powers; she's incredible.

— Album photographer, Hugo Comte, talking about Lipa and the Future Nostalgia cover artwork.[23]

The cover artwork of Future Nostalgia features Lipa in a Googie-esque retro vehicle, one that could be seen during the 1950s-themed restaurant scene in Pulp Fiction (1994). A dark sky with a blue moon, which was a stylistic choice, appears behind her. Lipa wears a 1950s-style button-down pink shirt, which is tied in a knot around her waist. Her accessories include gold hooped earrings, with a normal one in one ear and a misshaped one in the other, and numerous rings. She also wears long white gloves, which she holds the steering wheel with. Lipa has her blonde and brunette hair up in a bun.[24][25][26][27]

Title

[edit]

Lipa originally intended to call the album Glass House.[28] After working on the album for nearly a year, Lipa came up with a new album title, Future Nostalgia, while on the way to a radio show in Las Vegas around the time of the 2018 American Music Awards.[29][30] After figuring it out, Lipa messaged her A&R, in which they responded that it's like a baby name, they couldn't tell anyone.[31] She wanted to create a record with the nostalgic memories of her childhood and the music her parents listened to and put a modern spin on it with futuristic elements, which is why she ultimately went with the title.[27] It is meant to describe "a future of infinite possibilities while tapping into the sound and mood of some older music."[32] "Glass House" was later used as a lyric in the album's title track.[33]

Recording

[edit]

Lipa began work on Future Nostalgia in August 2018 and finished in November 2019.[34][35] However, during the first year of production, she was still promoting her first album on the Self-Titled Tour and was still figuring out the direction she wanted to go in.[36] Lipa had begun thinking of ideas for the album before Dua Lipa was released in June 2017.[37] After figuring out the album's title, she worked backwards, figuring out the sound and lyrical content she desired.[29] She challenged herself to break out of her comfort zone to make music that could sit alongside her favourite classic pop songs, being inspired by Gwen Stefani, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Moloko, Blondie, and Outkast. After touring, Lipa aspired to have a more live element on the record, mixed with modern electronic production, but to still have the pop sensibility of her first record. Lipa thought that her sound had "naturally matured."[38]

The majority of the album was recorded in a nine-month period after figuring out its title, where she had sessions every day, including ones at Geejam Studios in Jamaica.[36][39] Lipa recorded upwards of nearly 60 songs for the album,[40] including unreleased collaborations with producers Max Martin, Nile Rodgers, Mark Ronson, and Pharrell Williams,[39][41][42][43] as well as a collaboration with Normani titled "If It Ain't Me",[14] and "Bad to You", a song with Ariana Grande. "Bad to You" was later released by Grande, Normani, and Nicki Minaj for the Charlie's Angels: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, after Lipa and Grande were unable to finish their respective parts due to scheduling conflicts.[44][45][46] A planned collaboration with Katy Perry titled "Ball & Chain" was also canceled due to scheduling issues.[47] Another song that was intended for the album but did not make the cut, "Retrograde", was later recorded by Aleyna Tilki and released as her debut English-language single.[48] Lipa's single "Un Día (One Day)" with J Balvin, Bad Bunny, and Tainy was revealed to be recorded during sessions for Future Nostalgia.[49]

Music and lyrics

[edit]

Future Nostalgia is a dance-pop,[50] electropop,[51] nu-disco,[52] pop-funk,[53] synth-pop,[54] power pop,[55] and disco-pop[56] record, with several 1980s and retrofuturism tropes,[57][58] and elements of Eurodance,[59] hi-NRG,[60] house,[61] techno,[62] and R&B.[63] Described by Lipa as a "nostalgic" pop record that "feels like a dancercise class," she took inspiration from the music of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s to create a sound that felt familiar and brand-new at the same time.[64][65][66] The album's structure includes sticky-sweet choruses, and catchy pop hooks,[67][68][69] while it has campy productions,[63] consisting of funk bass guitars,[70] electronic beats,[69] rubbery basslines,[61] robotic vocoder backing vocals, chunky synths,[71] lush strings, percolating drums,[61] house-influenced piano chords,[72] and disco strings.[73] The album has themes of the transformative nature of romance,[74] sex, inequality, empowerment,[75] self-possession, the exploration of vulnerability,[61] falling in love, breaking up,[76] equality, hope,[55] flirtation and affection.[73]

Critics note similarities between the tracks on Future Nostalgia and the works of Blondie,[75] Chic,[77] Daft Punk,[71] Lady Gaga,[72] Gloria Gaynor,[74] Debbie Harry,[78] Jamiroquai,[75] Madonna (Confessions on a Dance Floor, 2005), Kylie Minogue (Fever, 2001),[79] Moloko,[77] Olivia Newton-John, No Doubt,[78] Outkast,[75] Prince, and Nile Rodgers.[78] Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic described the sound of Future Nostalgia as "'70s disco, '80s dance-pop, and '90s club jams."[79] In her review for The Independent, Helen Brown stated that Lipa "channels the zingy, electro-ambitions of the 1980s with remarkable freshness."[78] Pitchfork's Anna Gaca viewed it as "a collection of sophisticated, hard-bodied pop-funk that gives way to slick, [Minogue]-inspired disco."[80] Mesfin Fekadu from ABC News regarded the album as "a collection of upbeat, dance-flavoured, power pop gems."[55]

I think it was trying to make the record sound as cohesive as possible so that it all feels part of the same story. And alongside the bass in multiple songs, I also have strings in multiple songs. I wanted to make this really organic in having a lot of live instrumentation. It is a very happy album. This album is purely about dancing and having fun and being free and being in love.

— Lipa on the album's direction, Variety.[29]

Songs

[edit]

Future Nostalgia opens with its title track, a playful and fun synth-pop and electro-funk song,[81][82][83] with house, hip hop, and disco elements.[84][79][85] It has an electronic production,[69] that includes electroclash synths,[70] disco beats,[86] funk and grunge bass-popping,[87][88] and a jazz piano progression.[89] In the song, Lipa name-drops its producer, Jeff Bhasker, and American architect, John Lautner, while vocally making use of falsetto and spoken word deliveries.[70][74][82][90] Lyrically, it deals with themes of feminism and self-reflection.[59][91] The following track and lead single, "Don't Start Now", has empowerment themes and sees Lipa addressing an ex-lover about moving on from a relationship, using direct bullet point instructions.[90][92][93] She uses her lower-register vocals, over a production consisting of cowbells, accented disco strings, and a rhythm guitar loop.[94][95][96][97] Musically, it is a nu-disco song with elements of dance-pop and Eurodance.[98][99][100] Synth-pop cut, "Cool", has inspirations from 1980s music and Prince.[101][102][103] The song is about the initial rush of falling in love, painting a picture of a summer romance, with confidence and vulnerability themes, and reckless, youthful energy.[55][88][90][104] Driven by a funk bass, glitter gel noises and a drum line embody the production, whilst Lipa contributes vocals with hopeful tones.[78][88][89][105]

An upbeat and high energy song released as the second single from Future Nostalgia, "Physical" has a message about an intense and lustful relationship.[69][106] A power pop and synth-pop song,[107][108] it includes dance-rock, dark wave, and Italo disco elements,[74][109][110] while Lipa's lower register vocal performance uses deadpan,[111][112] spoken word,[62] belts,[113] and chants.[110] The song shares a chorus line with Olivia Newton-John's 1981 single of the same name, and includes sawtooth wave synths, a synth flute, and hi-hats in its production.[114][115] "Levitating" is an electro-disco, pop-funk, and nu-disco track,[79][99][116] with elements of dance-pop, electronic,[104] 1990s pop and R&B,[113] power pop[107] and space rock genres.[117] It includes a Blondie-influenced rap by Lipa, while having nu-disco rhythms, disco strings, and talk box vocals production-wise.[63][76][103][118] Lyrically, Lipa exposes her feelings for a significant other, through numerous outer space references.[62][88] Electro-R&B track, "Pretty Please", has disco-pop details and soft-spoken vocals.[62][109][119] Driven by a bass and click, the song has a stripped-back production, emphasizing its guitars and synths, while also including cowbells and pitch-modulated vocal effects.[73][75][77][99] The lyrics see Lipa attempting to be really chill at the beginning of a relationship, but realizing that is unlike her, as she pleas for stress relief from her partner who slows that down.[74][80][103]

"Break My Heart" interpolates the rhythm-guitar melody from "Need You Tonight" by INXS (pictured).[120]

Described by Lipa as her "festival song,"[121] "Hallucinate" is a disco and house track,[99][122] with dance,[123] electro swing,[124] psychedelic,[104] and synth-pop elements.[88] Lipa showcases her higher vocal register, and contributes a 1990s diva hook.[62][125] Lyrically, the song describes how crazy love can make one feel, over a production consisting of pianissimo synths, hi-hats, and orchestrations.[126][127][128][129] Lipa's favourite song on the record, "Love Again", is a dance-pop, disco, and electro song,[67][99][130][131] with a classic sound, that includes a sample of the trumpet from Lew Stone's 1932 recording "My Woman".[132][133][134] The 21st-century nu-disco production is made up of orchestrations, including 1970s disco strings, violins, and an acoustic guitar.[61][62][76][135] Its lyrics have heartbreak and personal growth themes, which see a faithful Lipa offering her heart to a new partner after an upsetting breakup.[69][88] Lipa describes "Break My Heart" as a "celebration of vulnerability," seeing her question whether a new love will leave her broken-hearted, with lyrics comparing it to the COVID-19 pandemic's social distancing measures.[75][121][136] It interpolates rhythm guitar melody from "Need You Tonight" (1987) by INXS,[120] alongside Europop and dance beats, disco violins, and a techno-adjacent bassline as the production.[68][137][138][139] Musically, it is a disco and dance-pop song,[99][119] with a retro-futuristic sound, and elements of funk and house.[61][135][140]

"Boys Will Be Boys"
A 16-second sample of the pre-chorus and repetitive chorus of "Boys Will Be Boys", a song illustrating the struggles that women go through in life.[55][113]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Good in Bed", is a hip hop-pop hybrid, which was widely compared to the works of Lily Allen.[71][74][99][109] Its production uses off-kilter jazz piano plinking,[62][101][113] gum-popping sound effects, and lo-fi keys,[78][141] with fairy-like backing vocal harmonies, and Lipa contributing high octave whispers.[62][133] The album's sole explicit track, it uses bad, mad, and sad rhymes, with lyrics about a relationship where good sex is the only thing holding two people together.[80][103] The part of the chorus where "Ba-a-a-a-ad" is sung in Good In Bed is microtonal,[142] descending from an E♭ to a C (3 semitones) in 5 notes (4 intervals) in the key of F Major. When interpreting the E♭ as the harmonic seventh of the root, this descending chromatic melody corresponds to the 28th to 24th harmonics of the root, because that also goes from the harmonic seventh to the perfect fifth in exactly 5 notes (4 intervals). Future Nostalgia closes with "Boys Will Be Boys", a baroque pop and chamber pop ballad turned anthem, with gospel elements.[83][99][101][130] Lipa makes use of belting and chanting,[119][129] over a melodramatic melody, disco beats, layered choral arrangements, marching band drums, and orchestral strings.[63][80][89][143] Lyrically, the song speaks about the growing pains girls experience and how they have to grow up so fast,[57][55] taking aim at male violence,[74] sexual harassment,[75] toxic masculinity,[70] double standards,[144] and misogyny,[62] while having empowerment and feminism themes.[76][90]

Release and promotion

[edit]
See also: Studio 2054 and Future Nostalgia Tour

The album was issued on 27 March 2020, by Warner Records, Lipa's second to be released under the label. The standard edition was released on CD, cassette, vinyl, digital download and streaming. The vinyl was released on both coloured vinyl and a picture disc and the cassette was released in gold, pink, blue and yellow colours. The album was also released with a boxset that contains a yellow 12" vinyl, a photography book from the album's photoshoot, an art print, a thank you note from Lipa, a tattoo replica of Lipa's "Future Nostalgia" tattoo, stickers and one of five polaroid images.[103][145] The Japanese edition of the album was released on CD on 3 April 2020, the album's intended release date. It contains three additional tracks, two remixes of "Don't Start Now" and a remix of "Physical".[146] Two new editions of the album were released on 27 November 2020: a new CD edition with "Levitating" feat. DaBaby and "Fever" with Angèle as bonus tracks packaged in a slipcase and the bonus 2CD edition which includes the original album along with "Levitating" feat. DaBaby as a bonus track on the first disc plus the DJ Mix version of Club Future Nostalgia remix album on the second disc. The first was released exclusively in France while the latter was released worldwide.

Lipa performing on the Future Nostalgia Tour in 2022

Lipa headlined the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras on 29 February 2020, where her set included the first live performance of "Physical".[147] Lead single "Don't Start Now" was promoted with award show performances, including ones at the 2019 MTV Europe Music Awards, 2019 American Music Awards, and 2019 ARIA Music Awards,[148][149][150] as well as talk show performances on The Graham Norton Show,[151] The Ellen DeGeneres Show,[152] and The Late Late Show with James Corden.[153] "Break My Heart" received virtual performances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Big Brother Brasil 20, and Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020.[154][155][156] On 30 March 2020, "Break My Heart", "Love Again" and "Pretty Please" were performed in a live stream for Amazon Music UK.[157] On 29 May 2020, Lipa performed "Love Again", "Pretty Please" and "Don't Start Now" in a charity livestream for the COVID-19 pandemic.[158] She performed acoustic versions of "Break My Heart" and "Pretty Please" for the FIFA 21 world premiere.[159] "Levitating", "Pretty Please", "Love Again", and "Don't Start Now" were performed during her NPR Tiny Desk Concert.[160] Lipa performed "Boys Will Be Boys" at the Billboard Women in Music ceremony, where she also was honoured with the Powerhouse Award.[161]

On 28 October 2020, Lipa announced her Studio 2054 livestream concert, in support of the album, which took place on 27 November 2020.[162] Lipa also announced the Future Nostalgia Tour in support of the album. The tour began on 9 February 2022 in Miami, and consists of 69 announced shows.[163] The tour was postponed from its original 2020 spring-summer date due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[164]

Singles

[edit]

"Don't Start Now" was released as the album's lead single on 31 October 2019.[165] The song was serviced to contemporary hit radio formats in Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.[166][167][168][169] It received acclaim from music critics, many of whom praised its disco and 1980s elements, while also noting the growth in Lipa's sound and vocals. The song was a commercial success peaking at number two on both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100, with the latter becoming her first top three entry on the chart, while also being certified double platinum in both countries. It additionally entered the top 10 in over 40 other countries, while also being certified platinum or higher in over ten countries. The song's music video was directed by Nabil Elderkin and filmed in Brooklyn.[170][171] It features clips of Lipa at a masquerade ball and in a crowded nightclub.[172] Numerous remixes for "Don't Start Now" have been released, including ones by Dom Dolla, Kungs, and Regard.[173][174][175]

"Physical" was released as the album's second single on 30 January 2020, after its title was revealed in a Spotify advertisement earlier in the month.[176][177][178] The song was serviced to contemporary hit radio formats in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Italy.[179][180][181] The song received positive reviews from critics, with many praising its 1980s elements. It reached number three on the UK Singles Chart, and number 60 on the US Billboard Hot 100, despite not having had an American radio release. It has been awarded a platinum certification in Canada, Spain, and the United Kingdom, while going diamond in Brazil. The music video for "Physical" was directed by Catalan production team, Canada, and filmed at Fira de Barcelona in Plaça d'Espanya, Barcelona.[182][183][184][185] The visual is based on a Venn diagram by Swiss artist duo Peter Fischli and David Weiss from their series of works Order and Cleanliness (1981), and features Lipa and a group of dancers dancing in a warehouse, while incorporating anime-inspired animation.[186][187] The song was further promoted with the release of a 1980s-inspired workout video, directed by Daniel Carberry, and featuring Lipa and the class members leading viewers through fitness routines.[188][189][190] A remix of "Physical" featuring South Korean singer Hwasa of girl group Mamamoo was released on 17 March 2020.[191]

"Break My Heart" was announced as the album's third single on Sunrise, and was released on 25 March 2020, after previously being scheduled to be released two days later.[192][193][194] The song was serviced to contemporary hit radio formats in Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States, becoming the album's second official single in the US,[195][196][197][198] while also being serviced to adult contemporary radio formats in the latter two countries.[199][200] It generated positive reviews from critics, who complimented its production. The song became Lipa's highest debut on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it debuted at 21. It eventually reached number 13 on the chart and number 6 on the UK Singles Chart. It has additionally peaked within the top 10 of 17 other countries. The Henry Scholfield-directed video was shot in Bulgaria and inspired by Pedro Almodóvar and the 1990s. It features a set of slide clips, with Lipa in many scenarios, going from vulnerable to empowered.[201][202] An animated video directed by Marco Pavone was also released, featuring Lipa in search of a crystal heart and fighting off giant robots.[203] Remixes by Jax Jones and Joris Voorn were also released.[204][205]

"Hallucinate" was announced in July 2020 to be released as the album next single, officially impacting contemporary hit radio formats in the United Kingdom on 17 July 2020 as the album's fourth single.[206][207][208] Like its predecessor, it received positive reviews for its production, while commercially reaching number 31 on the UK Singles Chart. The Lisha Tan-directed animated music video was inspired by the 1970s and Studio 54, and created during the COVID-19 pandemic, with teams of animators working in Paris, London, and Los Angeles.[209][210] The visual features Lipa going on a psychedelic, hallucinatory adventure after smelling a flower.[211] Remixes of "Hallucinate" by Paul Woolford and Tensnake have been released.[212][213]

After being announced as a single in August 2020 and being promoted to radio as a promotional single,[214][215][216] a remix of "Levitating" featuring American rapper DaBaby was released as the fifth single from Future Nostalgia on 1 October 2020.[217] It also serves as the album's third single in the United States, impacting contemporary hit radio formats in the country five days later.[218]

"Fever" with Belgian singer Angèle was released on 29 October 2020 as the sixth single exclusively in France and Belgium promoting the French edition of Future Nostalgia.[219][220] The song peaked at number 79 on the UK Singles Charts, as well as reaching the summit of both the Ultratop Wallonia and Flanders charts of Belgium and in France. It additionally entered the top 10 of charts in Hungary and Switzerland. The song received a music video on 6 November 2020 that was directed by We are from L.A.,[221] and features Lipa and Angèle exploring the streets of London.[222] The two promoted the single with a performance at the 2020 NRJ Music Awards.[223]

"Love Again" was announced on 11 March 2021 to be released as the album's next single, officially impacting contemporary hit radio formats in France as the album's sixth single.[224]

Promotional single

[edit]

The title track was confirmed to be released as a promotional single in November 2019 and was officially released as the only one on 13 December 2019, being released to keep Lipa's fans engaged until 2020.[225][226][227] It was met with mixed to positive reviews from critics, with many praising the production and lyrics, and many commenting on its experimental nature. The song became moderately successful in Europe, entering charts in Ireland, Scotland, and Spain, while reaching number 63 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart, and 11 on the NZ Hot Singles Chart. The song was accompanied by a lyric video, set in a retro 1960s house on a small lake, where Lipa dances, drinks alcohol and hits golf balls.[228]

The Moonlight Edition

[edit]

Following the release of Future Nostalgia, Lipa teased the release of tracks that did not make it to the album's standard edition, stating "I have a couple of songs that I've worked on, and that I kind of put aside for a second wind, so that's all to be discussed".[229] Lipa further explained that she had always planned a reissue as she was very "cutthroat" when choosing the standard edition songs.[230] In April 2020, she confirmed Future Nostalgia would receive a deluxe reissue and further teased it while serving as a guest Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen the following month.[231][232] In July 2020, a fan commented on one of Lipa's Instagram posts asking for the release of the Future Nostalgia B-sides; Lipa replied and confirmed their release and also stated that she has "enough [music] to hold [her fans] all the way through till 2022".[233][234][235]

Lipa described "Fever" as an introduction to the B-sides.[230] In a YouTube chat with her fans for the release of its music video, Lipa announced that the B-sides would be released in 2021.[236][237][238] In January 2021, Lipa further teased the B-sides release with a post on social media with the caption "B-sides are on the way".[239][240][241] She further teased it through until the next month.[242] On 4 February 2021, Dua officially announced the reissue day and its title, Future Nostalgia: The Moonlight Edition.[243][244] The Moonlight Edition was released one week later on 11 February 2021, alongside the reissue's lead single "We're Good".

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?8.5/10[245]
Metacritic88/100[246]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStarHalf star[79]
The Daily TelegraphStarStarStarStar[247]
DIYStarStarStarStarStar[248]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[67]
The GuardianStarStarStarStar[74]
The IndependentStarStarStarStarStar[78]
The Line of Best Fit9/10[77]
NMEStarStarStarStarStar[75]
Pitchfork7.5/10[80]
Rolling StoneStarStarStarStar[98]

Future Nostalgia received universal acclaim from music critics.[249] At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album has an average score of 88, based on 19 reviews.[246] Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 8.5 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.[245] According to Metacritic, Future Nostalgia is the 15th most acclaimed album released in 2020.[250]

Writing for NME, Rhian Daly wrote that "Future Nostalgia is a bright, bold collection of pop majesty to dance away your anxieties to... if only for a little while".[75] Chris Taylor of The Line of Best Fit praised Lipa's direction for the album, saying "Future Nostalgia is an artist in total control. It's built on such an addictive carefree spirit that it's hard not to let loose and go with it. The greatest pop star of this generation? That's for you to decide. But Future Nostalgia makes a very convincing argument that Dua Lipa just might be".[77] Chris Willman of Variety praised the album's musical direction, writing "after calling it a great disco record, we might also call Future Nostalgia a great MTV-era album that just happens to be not of the MTV era".[70] Writing for Rolling Stone, Brittany Spanos also praised the album's musical direction, writing "Future Nostalgia is a breathtakingly fun, cohesive and ambitious attempt to find a place for disco in 2020".[98]

Writing for DIY, Elly Watson wrote "this album has proved: Dua will be going down in pop history as one of the best".[248] Laura Snapes of The Guardian complimented Lipa's choice of songs, writing "The 11-track Future Nostalgia offers neither features nor filler, and makes a strident case for Lipa as a pop visionary, not a vessel".[74] Michael Cragg of Crack summarised the album as "packed with full-throttle choruses, supple melodies and lashings of attitude, Future Nostalgia is a neon-hued sound of one of the world's biggest pop stars smashing it out of the park".[68] Similarly, Craig Jenkins of Vulture commended the "sturdy" songs, also writing that Minogue and Madonna are their "predecessors" sonically. Jenkins concluded that Lipa has "only scratched the surface of what she's capable of".[76]

In his "Consumer Guide" column, Robert Christgau gave the album a three-star honorable mention and called it an "Olivia Newton-John tribute as dance smash as what-me-despair placebo, that deserves props for adding two keepers to that canon", namely the title track and "Good in Bed".[251]

Year-end lists

[edit]

Future Nostalgia placed in the top ten of the year-end lists of several publications, including being viewed as 2020's best album by Entertainment.ie,[252] Gaffa,[253] GQ,[254] People,[255] Slate[256] and Vogue India.[257]

Select year-end placements
Publication List Rank Ref.
The A.V. Club The 20 best albums of 2020
8
[258]
Billboard The 50 Best Albums of 2020: Staff Picks
2
[259]
Consequence of Sound Top 50 Albums of 2020
5
[260]
GQ Best albums of 2020
1
[254]
The Guardian The 50 best albums of 2020
2
[261]
Metacritic Best Music and Albums for 2020
15
[262]
Best of 2020: Music Critic Top Ten Lists
5
[263]
NME The 50 best albums of 2020
3
[264]
People Top 10 Albums of 2020
1
[255]
Pitchfork The 50 Best Albums of 2020
21
[265]
Rolling Stone The 50 Best Albums of 2020
5
[266]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Ceremony Category Result Ref.
2020 ARIA Music Awards Best International Artist (Future Nostalgia) Nominated [267]
Mercury Prize Albums of the Year Nominated [268]
LOS40 Music Awards Best International Album Won [269]
People's Choice Awards The Album of 2020 Nominated [270]
2021 TEC Awards Best Record Production / Album Nominated [271]
Grammy Awards Album of the Year Nominated [272]
Best Pop Vocal Album Won
Brit Awards British Album of the Year Won [273]
American Music Awards Favorite Pop/Rock Album Nominated

Commercial performance

[edit]

Future Nostalgia debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart with 34,390 units, only 550 units behind 5 Seconds of Summer's Calm.[274] In its second week, it reached the summit of the chart, with Future Nostalgia becoming Lipa's first UK number one album. The album would go on to top the chart for three more non-consecutive weeks.[275] On 17 April 2020, it was certified Silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for selling over 60,000 units in the UK. The album holds the record for having the lowest one-week sales while at the top of the chart in the modern era, when it was number one the week beginning 15 May 2020 with sales of only 7,317.[276] It was certified double Platinum by the BPI in 2022, having shifted over 600,000 units to date in the UK.[277] In October 2021, the BBC's music correspondent Mark Savage noted that Future Nostalgia was the only British album released since the start of 2020 to have been certified Platinum by the BPI.[278]

As in the UK, Future Nostalgia entered the Australian album chart at number two before rising to the top in April 2020.[279] After charting for almost a year the album climbed back to the number one spot in March 2021.[280] It was certified double platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association for 140,000 equivalent units sold.[281] Following the release of the album's Australian tour edition vinyl in April 2022, the album returned to number one for a third non-consecutive week in its 108th week on the chart.[282]

The album topped the record charts of 14 countries, including Ireland, Finland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain.[283] In France, it debuted at number nine, becoming Lipa's first top ten, and reached the top five several weeks later. It remained within the top ten several times in 2021 following the release of the Moonlight Edition, the deluxe version of the album, and stayed 156 weeks. It became Lipa's longest-running album in the French Albums Chart. In 2025, it was certified Diamond by SNEP for 500,000 units sold, becoming the singer's first ever album to achieve this.[284]

Future Nostalgia debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200 dated 11 April 2020, with 66,000 album-equivalent units, including 18,000 pure album sales. A major improvement over her self-titled debut album (which peaked at number 27), it became Lipa's first top 10 album on the chart.[285] The following week, the album dropped to number 8, with sales declining by 43% to nearly 38,000 units.[286] It remained within the top ten in its third week.[287] As of December 2020, the album has sold 931,000 album-equivalent units in the United States.[288] After the release of its reissue The Moonlight Edition in February 2021, the album surged back at number seven on the Billboard 200, reaching the top 10 for the first time in 10 months with 32,000 album-equivalent units earned, increasing by 58% compared to the previous week.[289] On the chart dated 27 March 2021, following Lipa's performance at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, one year after its initial release, the album reached a peak of number three on the chart, moving 37,000 album-equivalent units that week.[290] It finished as the ninth best-selling album of 2021 in the US, with 1.403 million album-equivalent units moved.[291] As of May 2024, the album has moved 4.3 million album-equivalent units in the US.[292]

According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), Future Nostalgia was the tenth most successful album of 2020 worldwide, with 3.3 million album-equivalent units sold.[293][294] In 2021, the album once again made IFPI's Global Album All-Format Chart at number six.[295]

Impact

[edit]

According to Billboard, as of 2022, Future Nostalgia is one of the 15 best-performing 21st-century albums without any of its singles being number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100.[296] According to Tom Corson, co-chairman of Warner Records, Lipa has "the benefit of being a pioneer" for being "the first major pop star to release an album in quarantine".[297] David Levesley of GQ magazine described Future Nostalgia as "the decade's first great pop album" and explained that the album "balances stadium anthems with also being a gospel of feminine excellence for all the teens looking to her for inspiration".[298] while Chris Willman of Variety called the album the "Reigning Dance-Pop Album of the Century", compared it to Taylor Swift's Folklore, and further wrote that both albums "barely seemed to exist in the same world, let alone genre, but they effectively captured a populace's polarized reactions to the cessation of normal life as anyone knew it".[299] Rolling Stone described Future Nostalgia as "the disco liberation soundtrack we need" during the COVID-19 pandemic.[300]

The Daily Beast called the album an "apocalypse game-changer" and emphasized that it will "have us dancing until the world ends".[301] The Wall Street Journal called Lipa "one of the biggest breakout stars of lockdown" due to the critical and commercial success of the album.[302] According to BBC News, Lipa is one of the artists who "brought the 80s back to the music industry". She was also one of the UK's most-played artists in 2020 as the album "proved to be the soundtrack to many people's quarantine, with its uplifting disco anthems providing the perfect antidote to isolation".[303][304] Upon the release of Drake's Honestly, Nevermind and Beyoncé's Renaissance, both in 2022, some publications cited Future Nostalgia as the predictor of a house music revival, along with Lady Gaga's Chromatica.[305][306]

Track listing

[edit]
Future Nostalgia track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Future Nostalgia"
3:04
2."Don't Start Now"
  • Kirkpatrick
  • Ailin[b]
3:03
3."Cool"
3:29
4."Physical"
3:13
5."Levitating"
  • Koz
  • Price
3:23
6."Pretty Please"
  • Kirkpatrick
  • Juan Ariza[a]
3:14
7."Hallucinate"
3:28
8."Love Again"
4:18
9."Break My Heart"
3:41
10."Good in Bed"
3:38
11."Boys Will Be Boys"
  • Koz
  • Blackwood[c]
2:46
Total length:37:17
The Moonlight Edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
12."Fever" (with Angèle)
  • Lipa
  • Kirkpatrick
  • Michaels
  • Ailin
  • Angèle
  • Hindlin
2:37
13."We're Good"
2:46
14."Prisoner" (Miley Cyrus featuring Dua Lipa)
  • Watt
  • The Monsters & Strangerz
  • Bellion[a]
2:49
15."If It Ain't Me"
Frid3:15
16."That Kind of Woman"
  • Lipa
  • Parker
  • Dew
  • Coffee
  • Parker
  • Price
  • Blackwood[c]
3:20
17."Not My Problem" (featuring JID)
Koz2:23
18."Levitating" (featuring DaBaby)
  • Lipa
  • Coffee
  • Hudson
  • Kozmeniuk
  • DaBaby
  • Koz
  • Price
3:23
19."Un Día (One Day)" (with J Balvin, Bad Bunny and Tainy)
Tainy3:51
Total length:61:40

Notes

[edit]
  • ^[a] signifies an additional producer
  • ^[b] signifies an additional vocal producer
  • ^[c] signifies a vocal producer
  • "Love Again" contains elements from "My Woman" by Bing Crosby.
  • "Break My Heart" contains interpolations from "Need You Tonight" by INXS.
  • "Not My Problem" features additional vocals by Vula Malinga and Ed Travers.
  • The French vinyl includes the bonus track "Fever" as track 12 and the digital deluxe edition as track 13.
  • The digital deluxe and the bonus edition includes the bonus track "Levitating" (featuring DaBaby) as track 12.
  • The bonus edition includes a bonus remix disc which mirrors the track listing of Club Future Nostalgia (DJ Mix).

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Future Nostalgia: The Moonlight Edition.[20]

Standard edition

[edit]

Musicians

  • Dua Lipa – vocals, songwriter (all tracks)
  • Jeff Bhasker – drum programming (track 1)
  • Emily Warren – backing vocals (track 2)
  • Drew Jurecka – string arrangement, violin, viola, baritone violin, string engineer (track 2, 8, 11)
  • Tove Lo – lyrics, backing vocals (track 3)
  • Tom Barnes – drums, bass (track 3)
  • Pete Kelleher – synthesizer (track 3)
  • Ben Kohn – guitar (track 3)
  • Stuart Price – keyboards (tracks 3, 5, 7–8), drum programming (tracks 3, 5, 7), bass (tracks 3, 5, 8), guitar (track 3)
  • Kamille – backing vocals (track 3)
  • Shakka – backing vocals (track 3)
  • Jason Evigan – drums, synthesizer (track 4)
  • Koz – drums, synthesizer (tracks 4–5, 8, 11) bass (track 5, 8, 11), guitar (track 5, 8)
  • Todd Clark – backing vocals (tracks 4–5, 11)
  • Clarence Coffee Jr. – backing vocals (tracks 4–5, 8)
  • Sarah Hudson – backing vocals (tracks 4–5)
  • Paul Phamous – backing vocals (track 5)
  • Russell Graham – keyboards (track 5)
  • Bosko "Electrospit" Kante – talkbox (track 5)
  • Homer Steinweiss – drums (track 5)
  • Ian Kirkpatrick – backing vocals, drum programming, guitar, keyboards (track 6)
  • Julia Michaels – backing vocals (track 6)
  • SG Lewis – drums, guitar, keyboards, synthesizer programming (track 7)
  • Sophie Frances Cooke – backing vocals, string arrangement (track 7)
  • Alma Goodman – backing vocals (track 8)
  • Vanessa Luciano – backing vocals (track 8)
  • Ash Soan – Tom Toms drums (track 8)
  • Andrew Watt – backing vocals, guitar, keyboards, tambourine (track 9)
  • The Monsters & Strangerz – keyboards (track 9)
  • Chad Smith – drums (track 9)
  • Denzel Baptiste – keys, drum programming, bass (track 10)
  • David Biral – keys, drum programming (track 10)
  • Lindgren – keys, drum programming (track 10)
  • Melanie Fontana – backing vocals (track 10)
  • Taylor Upsahl – backing vocals (track 10)
  • Kennedi – backing vocals (track 11)
  • Dan Bingham – piano (track 11)
  • Isabel Gracefield – piano engineering (track 11)
  • Stagecoach Epsom Performing Arts Choir – backing vocals (track 11)

Technical

  • Jeff Bhasker – production (track 1)
  • Skylar Mones – additional production (track 1)
  • Homer Steinweiss – drum kit (track 1)
  • Jerry Singh – additional programming (track 1)
  • Dave Cerminera – engineering (track 1)
  • Jens Jungkurth – engineering (track 1)
  • Josh Gudwin – mixing (tracks 1–2, 5)
  • Elijah Marrett-Hitch – mix assisting (tracks 1–2, 5–6)
  • Chris Gehringer – mastering (tracks 1–8, 10)
  • Will Quinnell – assistant mastering (tracks 1–8, 10)
  • Ian Kirkpatrick – production, engineering (track 2, 6), programming, vocal production (track 2)
  • Caroline Ailin – additional vocal production (track 2)
  • TMS – production, vocal production (track 3)
  • Stuart Price – production (tracks 3, 5, 7), vocal production (track 3), mixing (track 7), additional production (track 8)
  • Lorna Blackwood – programming (tracks 3–5, 8, 11), vocal production (tracks 3–4, 8, 11), additional vocal recording (track 5)
  • Cameron Gower Poole – vocal engineering (tracks 3–5, 8, 11)
  • Daniel Moyler – engineering (tracks 3–4)
  • Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing (track 3, 9)
  • Michael Freeman – assistant mixing (track 3, 9)
  • Matt Wolach – assistant mixing (track 3, 9)
  • Jason Evigan – production, engineering, vocal production (track 4)
  • Koz – production (track 4–5, 8, 11), vocal production (track 5)
  • Gian Stone – vocal production (track 4, 9), engineering (track 4–5)
  • Matt Snell – assistant engineering (track 4, 8)
  • Rafael "Come2Brazil" Fadal – additional engineering (track 4)
  • Matty Green – mixing (track 4, 8)
  • Phil Hotz – assistant engineering (track 5)
  • Juan Ariza – additional production (track 6)
  • SG Lewis – production (track 7)
  • Lauren D'Elia – vocal production (track 7)
  • Andrew Watt – production, programming (track 9)
  • The Monsters & Strangerz – production, keyboards, programming (track 9)
  • Paul Lamalfa – engineering (track 9)
  • Dave Kutch – mastering (track 9)
  • Lindgren – production, engineering, vocal production (track 10)
  • Take a Daytrip – production, programming (track 10)
  • DJ Swivel – mixing (track 10)
  • Rupert Christie – additional production, arrangement, engineering (track 11)
  • Jay Reynolds – mixing (track 11)

Design

  • Hugo Comte – photography, creative direction
  • Guillaume Sbalchiero – graphic and logo design
  • Ali Khazaee – Typography

The Moonlight Edition

[edit]

Musicians

  • Dua Lipa – vocals (all tracks), backing vocals (track 14)
  • Angèle – vocals (track 12)
  • Tristan Salvati – keyboards, percussion (track 12)
  • Sly – backing vocals, keyboards, live drums (track 13)
  • Alex Worth – backing vocals (track 13)
  • Scott Harris – backing vocals, guitar (track 13)
  • Caroline Ailin – backing vocals (track 13)
  • Tara Siegel – backing vocals (track 13)
  • Zach Gurka – backing vocals (track 13)
  • Andreas Lund – guitar (track 13)
  • Miley Cyrus – vocals, backing vocals (track 14)
  • Andrew Watt – backing vocals, bass, drums, guitar, keyboards (track 14)
  • The Monsters & Strangerz – backing vocals, keyboards (track 14)
  • Jonathan Bellion – backing vocals (track 14)
  • Michael Pollack – backing vocals (track 14)
  • Oliver "Junior" Frid – drum programming, percussion, synthesizer, keyboards, electric bass, electric guitar, backing vocals (track 15)
  • Justin Parker – keyboards, bass, guitar (track 16)
  • Stuart Price – keyboards, drum programming (track 16, 18), bass (track 18)
  • Lorna Blackwood – backing vocals (track 16)
  • Rich Cooper – drums (track 16)
  • Clarence Coffee Jr. – backing vocals (track 16–18)
  • JID – featured vocals (track 17)
  • Koz – synthesizer, drums, guitar (track 17–18), bass (track 18)
  • Sarah Hudson – backing vocals (track 17–18)
  • Vula Malinga – additional vocals (track 17)
  • Ed Travers – additional vocals (track 17)
  • DaBaby – featured vocals (track 18)
  • Paul Phamous – backing vocals (track 18)
  • Todd Clark – backing vocals (track 18)
  • Russell Graham – keyboards (track 18)
  • Bosko "Electrospit" Kante – talkbox (track 18)
  • Homer Steinweiss – drums (track 18)

Technical

  • Ian Kirkpatrick – production, engineering, programming (track 12)
  • Tristan Salvati – additional production, vocal production, additional programming, engineering (track 12)
  • Josh Gudwin – mixing (tracks 12–13, 18–19)
  • Heidi Wang – assistant mixing (tracks 12–13, 18)
  • Chris Gehringer – mastering (tracks 12–13, 15–18)
  • Will Quinnell – assistant mastering (tracks 12–13, 15–18)
  • Sly – production, engineering, programming (track 13)
  • Emily Warren – vocal production (track 13)
  • Scott Harris – vocal production (track 13)
  • Greg Eliason – engineering (track 13)
  • Brian Cruz – assistant engineer (track 13)
  • Miley Cyrus – executive production (track 14)
  • Andrew Watt – production, executive production (track 14)
  • The Monsters & Strangerz – production(track 14)
  • Jonathan Bellion – additional production (track 14)
  • Paul LaMalfa – engineering (track 14)
  • Şerban Ghenea – mixing (track 14)
  • John Hanes – engineering for mix (track 14)
  • Randy Merrill – mastering (track 14)
  • Oliver "Junior" Frid – production, engineering, programming (track 15)
  • Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing (track 15)
  • Dave Emery – mix assisting (track 15)
  • Matt Wolach – mix assisting (track 15)
  • Justin Parker – production, engineering (track 16)
  • Stuart Price – production (tracks 16–18), mixing (track 16)
  • Lorna Blackwood – programming (tracks 16, 18), vocal production (track 16), additional vocal recording (track 18)
  • Koz – production (tracks 17–18), engineering (track 17), vocal production (track 18)
  • Matt Snell – engineering (track 17–18)
  • Hal Ritson – additional vocal engineering, programming (track 17)
  • Richard Adlam – additional vocal engineering, programming (track 17)
  • Matty Green – mixing (track 17)
  • Phil Hotz – assistant engineering (track 18)
  • Cameron Gower Poole – vocal engineering (track 18)
  • Elijah Marrett-Hitch – assistant mixing (track 18–19)
  • Tainy – production, recording (track 19)
  • J Balvin – executive production (track 19)
  • Colin Leonard – mastering (track 19)

Design

  • Hugo Comte – photography, creative direction
  • Guillaume Sbalchiero – graphic and logo design

Charts

[edit]

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Certifications and sales for Future Nostalgia
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[281]
5th Anniversary Edition 		2× Platinum 140,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria)[428] 2× Platinum 30,000‡
Belgium (BRMA)[429] Platinum 20,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[430] 2× Diamond 320,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[431] 6× Platinum 480,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[432] 3× Platinum 60,000‡
France (SNEP)[433] Diamond 500,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[434] Gold 100,000‡
Hungary (MAHASZ)[435] Gold 2,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[436] 3× Platinum 150,000‡
Netherlands (NVPI)[437] 2× Platinum 80,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[438] 6× Platinum 90,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[439] 3× Platinum 60,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[440] 4× Platinum 80,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[441] Platinum 15,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[442] 2× Platinum 80,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[277] 2× Platinum 850,542[443]
United States (RIAA)[444] Platinum 1,000,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for Future Nostalgia
Region Date Format(s) Edition Label Ref.
Various 27 March 2020
Standard Warner [145]
Japan 3 April 2020 CD Japanese standard [146]
Various 1 October 2020
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Digital reissue 1 [445]
29 October 2020 Digital reissue 2
France 20 November 2020 CD French [446]
Various 27 November 2020
  • CD
  • digital download
  • streaming
 Bonus [447]
Japan CD Japanese bonus [448]
France 4 December 2020 LP French [449]
Various 11 February 2021
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Moonlight [450]
26 March 2021
  • CD
  • LP
 [451]
28 March 2025 LP 5th anniversary [452]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Future Nostalgia

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Future Nostalgia is the second studio album by English singer and songwriter , released on 27 March 2020 by . [](https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/dua-lipa-moves-future-nostalgia-release-date-9340571/) The album comprises 11 tracks characterized by a style heavily influenced by , , and elements, creating a cohesive blend of retro aesthetics with contemporary production. [](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/dua-lipa-future-nostalgia-973034/) [](https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/dua-lipa-future-nostalgia-album-songs-ranking-9345029/) Lipa co-wrote most of the songs, which explore themes of , heartbreak, and , with key contributors including producers , , and . [](https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/dua-lipa-future-nostalgia-album-songs-ranking-9345029/) [](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/dua-lipa-future-nostalgia-973034/) Preceded by the "," which peaked at number two on the , the album spawned additional hits including "Physical," "Break My Heart," "Levitating," and "Hallucinate," all of which achieved significant commercial success worldwide. [](https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/dua-lipa-chart-achievements-billboard-explains-1235671793/) [](https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/dua-lipa-future-nostalgia-campaign-coronavirus-9375127/) Future Nostalgia debuted at number four on the and later peaked at number three, eventually earning platinum certification from the RIAA for one million equivalent units sold in the United States. [](https://www.billboard.com/pro/dua-lipas-top-5-billboard-200-debut-is-a-big-pop-moment-for-warner-records/) In the , it became the third best-selling album of and the top-selling record by a female artist that year. [](https://www.bpi.co.uk/news-analysis/fans-turn-to-music-to-get-through-2020-as-a-new-wave-of-artists-fuels-streaming-growth) Critically acclaimed for its ambitious revival of disco in a modern context, the album received widespread praise for its energetic production, Lipa's confident vocals, and its role as an uplifting soundtrack during the early COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. [](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/mar/27/dua-lipa-future-nostalgia-review) [](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/dua-lipa-future-nostalgia-disco-987812/) It won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards and was nominated for Album of the Year, while "Future Nostalgia" as a title track embodies the album's core concept of yearning for a vibrant, dance-filled future reminiscent of past eras. [](https://www.grammy.com/news/dua-lipa-wins-best-pop-vocal-album-future-nostalgia-2021-grammy-awards-show) [](https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/dua-lipa-future-nostalgia-title-track-8546324/) An expanded edition, Future Nostalgia: The Moonlight Edition, followed in 2021, adding remixes and new tracks like "Love Again." [](https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/dua-lipa-were-good-future-nostalgia-the-moonlight-edition-9525240/) The album's success solidified Lipa's status as a leading pop artist, influencing a broader resurgence of disco-inspired music in the 2020s. [](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/mar/27/dua-lipa-future-nostalgia-review)

Development

Background

Following the release of her self-titled debut album in 2017, sought to evolve her sound toward a more dance-oriented project, drawing inspiration from the vibrant energy of disco and 1990s to create an escapist, celebratory vibe. She envisioned an album that felt "bold, sexy, and glamorous," evoking the party atmospheres of her childhood influences like and , while infusing modern pop elements to bridge retro aesthetics with contemporary appeal. This direction marked a deliberate departure from the more introspective ballads of her debut, aiming for high-energy tracks that prioritized rhythm and groove over emotional vulnerability. Songwriting for Future Nostalgia began in summer 2018, with Lipa collaborating closely with key figures from her debut era, including songwriter Clarence Coffee Jr. and Stephen "Koz" Kozmeniuk. These early sessions, often held in a relaxed, band-like atmosphere, produced foundational tracks like "Levitating," co-written in a single day using voice memos and spontaneous ideas, yielding over 50 songs in total as Lipa experimented with nostalgic yet forward-looking melodies. The process emphasized joyful collaboration, with Coffee Jr. noting the "summer-camp" energy that fostered creativity, while Koz helped shape the album's sonic palette around its titular concept of blending past and future. Lipa's personal experiences profoundly influenced the album's direction, particularly her breakup, which prompted a period of and a shift toward a retro-futuristic sound as a form of emotional release. Rather than dwelling in melancholy, she channeled the pain into empowering, danceable anthems that served as an "escape" from anxiety and external pressures, transforming vulnerability into resilience through soul-infused hooks and house beats.

Recording

The recording of Future Nostalgia primarily took place at Sarm West Studios in , , with additional sessions held in studios from late 2018 to early 2020. Key producers included , who handled tracks like "" from his studio starting in January 2019, and , who contributed to several songs with drum programming, bass, and keyboards for a disco-infused sound. Technical production emphasized synthesizers to evoke retro aesthetics, such as ZENOLOGY presets with phasers and filters mimicking '80s electronic tones on elements like vocal pads and melodic patterns in tracks including "Levitating," while vocals were layered with choir samples and effects to enhance the nostalgic, organic feel. The album's release was advanced to March 27, 2020, following an online leak, with final mixing completed remotely as lockdowns began in March 2020, though the album's core sessions had wrapped prior to widespread restrictions.

Concept and artwork

Musical style and themes

Future Nostalgia represents a fusion of , , and , heavily influenced by 1970s and 1980s sounds including the work of and the disco revival pioneered by . The album's sonic palette draws from '80s pop icons like , Prince, and , incorporating snappy basslines, analog synths, and retro string samples to create a retro-futuristic production style. Structural elements such as four-on-the-floor beats and vocals drive its club-ready energy, with producers like and emphasizing danceable rhythms over imperfections for a cohesive, upbeat sound. Lyrically, the album explores themes of , heartbreak, and through dance, highlighting and female independence as antidotes to toxic relationships and societal pressures. Tracks address romance's transformative power, , and critiques of male behavior, often framing heartbreak as a pathway to resilience and on the dancefloor. This focus on levity and community provides an escapist party vibe amid emotional depth, distinguishing it from more introspective pop. In a marked departure from Lipa's self-titled debut, which included several ballads, Future Nostalgia prioritizes nonstop, high-energy tracks designed for the club, eschewing slower tempos in favor of relentless cohesion. This shift underscores a deliberate evolution toward optimistic, forward-looking music that celebrates movement and solidarity.

Title and cover artwork

The title Future Nostalgia was selected by Dua Lipa to capture the album's fusion of nostalgic, retro-inspired sounds with contemporary, futuristic production elements. Lipa conceived the name during preparations for her 2018 single "Electricity," envisioning an album that evoked fond memories of past music while pushing boundaries into innovative territory. This concept aligns with the album's broader musical style, extending retro influences like 1980s disco into a modern dance-pop framework. The cover artwork features Lipa in a confident pose, adorned with a signature white glove nodding to , set against a minimalist background that emphasizes her direct gaze and poised demeanor. Photographed and creatively directed by Hugo Comte, the image employs bold lighting and composition to convey empowerment and allure. , including the custom and typography, was handled by Guillaume Sbalchiero, who crafted a sleek, angular font for the title to evoke a sense of motion and . The artwork's design draws on themes of self-empowerment and identity, with Lipa's central positioning symbolizing strength and multiplicity in her artistic . Physical editions of the album, such as vinyl releases, maintain this core visual while incorporating variant color schemes for the disc and packaging to enhance collectibility.

Music and lyrics

Overall structure

The standard edition of Future Nostalgia consists of 11 tracks with a total runtime of 37 minutes and 17 seconds, designed as a seamless, non-stop journey that progresses from themes of to . This cohesive arrangement maintains a high-energy flow throughout, with deliberate transitions between songs building momentum; for instance, the title track "Future Nostalgia" fades into the upbeat pulse of "," creating an immediate sense of propulsion. To sustain this relentless pace, the album deliberately excludes ballads and slower tempos, ensuring every track remains under four minutes while prioritizing danceable rhythms and synth-driven grooves. The result is a unified listening experience that evokes a continuous club set, where each contributes to an overarching narrative of emotional resilience without interruption. The Moonlight Edition, released in February 2021, extends this structure to 19 tracks over 61 minutes and 40 seconds by appending eight additional songs—including four new originals and —after the standard edition's , further amplifying the album's dance-oriented momentum with varied production interpretations.

Individual songs

Future Nostalgia opens the album with a track produced by , characterized by playful electronic flourishes and a sample from the library sound "Roxy SFX 1" that adds a retro synth texture. The lyrics emphasize female empowerment, with Lipa declaring, "No matter what you do, I’m gonna get it without ya / I know you ain’t used to a female alpha," positioning the song as a bold statement of independence and confidence. , produced by , serves as a anthem driven by funky basslines and disco-infused rhythms that evoke dance tropes, creating an energetic push-pull dynamic in its instrumentation. The lyrics focus on moving on from a past relationship, with Lipa asserting, "Don't show up, don't come out / Don't start now," underscoring themes of self-reclamation through dancefloor defiance. Cool, co-written with and produced by Koz, features synth-heavy production that builds post-relationship confidence, with layered electronic elements drawing from electro aesthetics to heighten its sleek, pulsating vibe. Lyrically, it explores maintaining control amid passion, as in "You got me losing all my cool / 'Cause I’m burning up on you," rhymed against assertions of like "In control of what I do." Love Again is a string-sampled disco ballad produced by Koz, incorporating orchestral swells reminiscent of 1970s soul arrangements and a prominent trumpet sample from Al Bowlly's 1931 recording of "My Woman" with and His Monseigneur Band, which adds a vintage, emotive layer to the track. The lyrics convey vulnerability in reopening the heart after heartbreak, with Lipa singing, "I never thought that I would get to know your name," highlighting a tentative embrace of new romance. Pretty Please, produced by , showcases an ultra-thick bassline paired with impeccably produced elements like violins and cowbells, blending grooves with a half-rap delivery that shifts to sultry coos. The lyrics plead for a lover's commitment as emotional relief, with lines like "Pretty please, with me in your arms / Stay here with me," revealing a rare glimpse of vulnerability amid the album's confident tone. Hallucinate, co-produced by and , pulses with aggressive basslines and hard-slapping beats that channel high-energy , evoking Madonna's club-era sound through its relentless, euphoric drive. Thematically, it celebrates escapist romance, with Lipa describing a hallucinatory attraction: "I get these flashbacks / Of us ," tying into cultural nods to nightlife liberation. Boys Will Be Boys, produced by Koz, departs from the album's funk with layered choral arrangements that build to an acerbic outro, flipping the sexist trope into a critique of expectations. The lyrics mourn the premature burdens on girls, evolving the phrase to "Boys will be boys, but girls will be women," addressing societal double standards with pointed emotional depth. Levitating, produced by Koz and , employs buoyant disco-funk instrumentation with shimmering synths and a driving groove, capturing a sense of weightless joy in its cosmic-themed production. Lyrically, it revels in euphoric connection, as Lipa sings, "If you wanna run away with me, I know a ," referencing interstellar akin to sci-fi romance tropes. Physical, produced by Koz, draws on 1980s tropes with bold synth hooks and interpolates the "Let's get physical" from Olivia Newton-John's hit of the same name, infusing it with modern urgency. The lyrics promote uninhibited desire, urging, "Come on, put your hands on me / Let's get physical," while evoking fitness-era cultural icons through its high-octane energy. Break My Heart, produced by , incorporates interpolations from INXS's 1987 track "," reworking its iconic guitar riff into a framework with punchy bass and shimmering keys. Thematically, it grapples with the fear of emotional risk, with Lipa questioning, "Do you have it in you? / I'm scared to be moving on, why would I trust you?" to explore guarded vulnerability. Good in Bed closes the standard edition with a confident strut produced by Koz, featuring slinky bass and brassy accents that underscore its sassy, bedroom-bound swagger. The playfully reclaim post-breakup sensuality, boasting, "He told me I was better / He said I was the best," while subverting expectations of inadequacy with bold self-assurance.

Release and promotion

Marketing strategies

The marketing campaign for Future Nostalgia began building anticipation in late 2019 through cryptic posts on , where revealed the album title via a temporary on her arm. This subtle tactic, shared on December 1, 2019, sparked widespread fan speculation and engagement, aligning with the album's futuristic yet nostalgic aesthetic to create early buzz ahead of the official announcement. The strategy extended into early 2020 with additional teasers, including the announcement on March 23 that the release date had been moved up to March 27 from the original April 3 schedule following an online leak, further amplifying hype across platforms like and . To tie into the album's empowerment motifs, Lipa collaborated with luxury brands for promotional tie-ins that emphasized confidence and self-expression. Her ambassadorship with YSL Beauty, initiated in 2019 for the Libre fragrance, continued during the album rollout. Similarly, Lipa appeared in outfits during promotion, reinforcing the album's visual identity through fashion elements shared across social channels. These collaborations extended the campaign's reach beyond music, integrating fashion and beauty elements to appeal to a broader audience. Amid the lockdowns in 2020, the promotion pivoted to digital experiences to maintain fan connection. Lipa hosted a virtual listening party livestream on on March 26, 2020—the day before the album's release—where she played tracks live from her home, sharing commentary and interacting with viewers in real time to simulate an intimate launch event. Complementing this, AR filters tied to album tracks, such as one for "Levitating" allowing users to experience floating effects, encouraged interactive sharing and viral participation during isolation periods. These tools fostered without physical gatherings. The merchandise line launched concurrently with the album on March 27, 2020, through Lipa's official store, featuring vinyl variants like colored pressings and picture discs alongside apparel such as t-shirts and hoodies emblazoned with futuristic, neon-infused designs echoing the record's retro-futurist vibe. Exclusive bundles combined physical copies with branded items, enhancing collector appeal and providing fans tangible extensions of the campaign's aesthetic. As part of the broader promotional timeline, the singles rollout integrated seamlessly with these efforts, sustaining momentum through coordinated digital drops.

Singles and editions

The rollout of singles from Future Nostalgia began with the lead single "", released on October 31, 2019, as the first preview of Lipa's sophomore album. This was followed by "Physical" on January 31, 2020, which interpolated Olivia Newton-John's 1981 hit of the same name and served as the second official single. "Break My Heart", the third single, arrived on March 25, 2020, just prior to the album's full release, drawing inspiration from INXS's "" (1987). Subsequent singles included "Hallucinate" on July 10, 2020, emphasizing the album's influences, and "Levitating" on October 1, 2020, which gained further traction through its remix featuring , released on October 1, 2020. "Love Again" was released as a single in June 2021, sampling White Town's (1997). The "Levitating" remix with , produced by Koz, incorporated hip-hop elements to broaden the track's appeal and became a key part of the album's extended promotion. On February 11, 2021, Future Nostalgia (The Moonlight Edition) was released, expanding the original 11-track to 19 songs. It incorporated bonus tracks originally exclusive to the remix Club Future Nostalgia (2020), such as "Fever" (with Angèle), along with previously unreleased tracks including , , "Not My Problem" (featuring ), "If It Ain't Me", (Miley featuring Dua Lipa), "Levitating" (featuring ), and "Un Día (One Day)" (with , , and ) to provide fresh content amid ongoing promotion. The album was made available in various physical formats upon its March 27, 2020, release, including standard , neon pink vinyl, translucent yellow vinyl, picture disc vinyl, and cassette editions in gold and pink variants. Exclusive bundles featured deluxe , such as a neon yellow vinyl box set with a 20-page booklet, posters, and stickers, offered through and retail partners. The Moonlight Edition followed suit with , double vinyl, and digital formats, maintaining the album's colorful aesthetic in physical releases.

Critical reception

Initial reviews

Upon its release in March 2020, Future Nostalgia garnered widespread critical acclaim, achieving a aggregate score of 88 out of 100 based on 28 reviews. Critics frequently highlighted the album's role in delivering joyful escapism during the early stages of the , with its upbeat disco-infused tracks providing a much-needed sense of uplift and virtual revelry amid global lockdowns. Publications such as awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars, commending its ambitious revival of disco elements within contemporary pop production and its cohesive energy that made it a "breathtakingly fun" listen. Similarly, The Guardian bestowed a perfect 5 out of 5 rating, praising the record's empowering themes of confidence and independence, which positioned Dua Lipa as a visionary force in pop music without relying on guest features or filler. While overwhelmingly positive, some reviews noted minor shortcomings; , for instance, scored it 7.5 out of 10, appreciating the sophisticated pop-funk and Kylie Minogue-inspired but critiquing occasional formulaic lyricism, such as simplistic rhymes in tracks like "Good in Bed" that occasionally undercut the album's bold bravado. In this context, the emerged as an ideal "pandemic party soundtrack," its relentless grooves offering defiant optimism when live music venues were shuttered worldwide.

Retrospective assessments

In the years following its release, Future Nostalgia has been frequently ranked among the top albums of 2020 in retrospective year-end lists, reflecting its immediate and lasting critical impact. It placed second on Billboard's 50 Best Albums of 2020, praised for its vibrant revival and Lipa's commanding presence amid the year's challenges. Similarly, ranked it third in their 50 Best Albums of 2020, highlighting its bold pop majesty as an antidote to anxiety. These placements built on the album's strong initial reception, where it earned an average score of 88 out of 100 on from 28 reviews. By the mid-2020s, critics have lauded Future Nostalgia for its profound influence on post-pandemic pop music, positioning it as a beacon of escapist energy during global lockdowns. In Pitchfork's 100 Best Albums of the 2020s So Far (updated October 2024), the album was celebrated for evoking the possibility of communal dancefloors when such experiences were impossible, blending retro disco with futuristic sheen to redefine club pop. These views underscore its timeless appeal, with publications like Illustrate Magazine in 2022 dubbing it the reigning dance-pop album of the century for its sleek production and infectious grooves. Retrospective analyses have also evolved to emphasize the album's feminist undertones, particularly when viewed alongside Lipa's later releases. Tracks like "Boys Will Be Boys" and "Hallucinate" are now seen as foundational to her narrative of empowerment and relational , themes that matured in Radical Optimism (2024), which Atwood Magazine described as a "graduation" from Future Nostalgia's confident self-assurance. This progression highlights how the album's blend of and strength anticipated Lipa's broader artistic of personal resilience in pop.

Commercial performance

Sales and chart success

Future Nostalgia has achieved over 11.5 million album-equivalent units worldwide as of September 2025, including 1.5 million in pure sales. The album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 chart with 66,000 equivalent units in its first week. In the , it entered the Official Albums Chart at number 2 before ascending to number 1 the following week. Its longevity on charts has been propelled by robust streaming performance, surpassing 14 billion streams on for the album as of October 2025. Among its singles, "Levitating" marked a milestone by spending 41 weeks in the top 10 of the , the longest run for any song by a British female artist. The record demonstrated strong performance across and the , where it has accumulated millions of units, further amplified by the virality of its singles on .

Certifications

Future Nostalgia has earned numerous certifications from music industry organizations worldwide, recognizing its sales and streaming equivalents exceeding specified thresholds in multiple markets. These awards encompass both physical and digital sales as well as streaming performance, with totals boosted by the 2021 release of the Edition, which included additional remixes and tracks that enhanced the album's streaming metrics. In the United States, the album was certified Platinum by the (RIAA) for 1 million units. In the United Kingdom, it attained 2× Platinum status from the (BPI), equivalent to 850,000 units as of 2022.
CountryCertifying BodyCertificationUnits (certified)Date
ARIA2× Platinum140,000—
2× Diamond320,000—
Canada6× Platinum480,000—
FranceDiamond500,0002025
United StatesRIAAPlatinum1,000,0002021
BPI2× Platinum850,0002022
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) ranked Future Nostalgia as the 6th best-selling album globally in 2020, based on combined physical, digital, and streaming data across more than 20 territories. Additionally, the album entered Spotify's Billions Club after surpassing 1 billion global streams, a milestone achieved through hits like "Levitating" and "Don't Start Now," with total streams exceeding 14.4 billion as of October 2025.

Legacy and impact

Cultural influence

Future Nostalgia played a pivotal role in reviving elements within mainstream during the early 2020s, blending and aesthetics with contemporary production to create an escapist sound that resonated amid global uncertainties. The album's tracks, such as and "Physical," drew from influences like and , reintroducing four-on-the-floor beats and funky basslines that had waned since the late . This revival extended to subsequent releases, contributing to a broader wave of retro-synth pop; for instance, The Weeknd's Dawn FM (2022) echoed the album's -inspired soundscapes, building on the nostalgic trend it helped popularize. Similarly, Charli XCX's Crash (2022) incorporated elements with nostalgia, aligning with the genre's resurgence post-Future Nostalgia. The album's cultural footprint extended into 2020s fashion and digital memes, with its vibrant, retro-futuristic visuals inspiring Y2K revival trends in clothing and aesthetics. Tracks like "Levitating" fueled viral dance challenges, continuing to drive into 2025, where updated routines tied into Dua Lipa's ongoing tours. These challenges not only boosted the song's global reach but also embodied the album's themes of joyful liberation, influencing trends that merged dance, humor, and community interaction. Lyrically, Future Nostalgia advanced narratives of female empowerment, emphasizing agency and resilience in relationships, which aligned with post-#MeToo discussions on women's autonomy in . has stated that the album aims to "empower women" through anthems rejecting and promoting self-assertion, as seen in lines from the title track asserting a "female alpha" presence. This contributed to broader conversations about gender dynamics in the industry, where female artists face heightened scrutiny, positioning the record as a for personal and collective female strength in the late and early . In reflecting on the era, Future Nostalgia has been cited as a key artifact of , released in March 2020 to provide upbeat, nostalgic relief during lockdowns. Its disco-infused optimism offered a counterpoint to isolation, with retrospective analyses in highlighting how the album's themes of future-oriented supported emotional amid crisis. Scholars note its role in reframing as a forward-looking emotion, fostering unity and in a fragmented time.

Live performances and tours

The promotion of Future Nostalgia began with the livestream concert on November 27, 2020, a inspired by the iconic nightclub, featuring performances of album tracks like "Levitating" and "Break My Heart" alongside guests including Angèle for a rendition of "Fever," as well as , , and . The event, produced in a warehouse setting with elaborate choreography and visuals, attracted over 5 million views globally, marking one of the largest livestream audiences for a music event at the time. At the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards on March 14, 2021, Dua Lipa delivered a medley performance of "Don't Start Now" and "Levitating" featuring DaBaby, showcasing the disco-infused energy of Future Nostalgia with a brass section and synchronized dancers on a glittering stage. This appearance, which preceded her win for Best Pop Vocal Album, highlighted the record's live adaptability and contributed to its momentum during the ongoing pandemic. The Future Nostalgia Tour commenced in February 2022, spanning 80 dates across Europe, North and South America, and Asia, with elaborate productions incorporating 1980s-inspired aesthetics, aerial acrobatics, and hits from the album such as "Physical" and "Love Again." The tour grossed over $101 million from 1.3 million tickets sold, establishing it as one of the highest-earning pop tours of the year and demonstrating the album's enduring appeal in arena settings. In subsequent years, tracks from Future Nostalgia have been integrated into Lipa's festival appearances and ongoing tours, including her headline set at on June 28, 2024, where she adapted songs like "Levitating," "," and "Hallucinate" with updated lighting, , and a by Kevin Parker of for "Houdini," blending the album's retro-futuristic sound with her evolving live repertoire. Similar adaptations continued into 2025 during the Radical Optimism Tour, where Future Nostalgia selections were reimagined with new arrangements to complement fresh material, maintaining the album's role as a cornerstone of her performances.

Track listing and personnel

Standard edition

The standard edition of Future Nostalgia comprises 11 tracks, recorded primarily between January 2018 and 2019, and released on 27 March 2020 by Warner Records. Dua Lipa co-wrote every song on the album, collaborating with a range of songwriters, while production was handled by contributors such as Jeff Bhasker, Ian Kirkpatrick, Koz, and Stuart Price, emphasizing a disco-influenced sound. The track listing and personnel credits, drawn from the album's liner notes, are detailed below.
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Future Nostalgia"Dua Lipa, Clarence Coffee Jr., Jeff BhaskerJeff Bhasker3:04
2."Don't Start Now"Dua Lipa, Caroline Ailin, Emily Warren, Ian KirkpatrickIan Kirkpatrick3:03
3."Cool"Dua Lipa, Camille Purcell, Tove Lo, Shakka Philip, Ben Kohn, Tom Barnes, Pete KelleherTMS, Stuart Price3:29
4."Physical"Dua Lipa, Clarence Coffee Jr., Jason Evigan, Sarah HudsonJason Evigan3:13
5."Levitating"Dua Lipa, Clarence Coffee Jr., Sarah Hudson, Stephen KozmeniukKoz3:23
6."Pretty Please"Dua Lipa, Julia Michaels, Caroline Ailin, Ian KirkpatrickIan Kirkpatrick, Juan Ariza3:14
7."Hallucinate"Dua Lipa, Sophie Frances Cooke, Samuel George LewisStuart Price, SG Lewis3:28
8."Love Again"Dua Lipa, Clarence Coffee Jr., Chelcee Grimes, Stephen KozmeniukKoz4:19
9."Break My Heart"Dua Lipa, Ali Tamposi, Andrew Watt, Charlotte Aitchison, Jacob Kasher HindlinAndrew Watt, The Monsters & Strangerz3:41
10."Good in Bed"Dua Lipa, Michel Schulz, Melanie Joy Fontana, Taylor Upsahl, David Biral, Denzel BaptisteTake a Daytrip, Michel Schulz3:38
11."Boys Will Be Boys"Dua Lipa, Jason Evigan, Justin Tranter, Kennedi LykkenKoz2:46
Several tracks feature notable musical references to earlier recordings. "Break My Heart" interpolates the guitar riff from INXS's (1987). "Love Again" incorporates a trumpet sample from "My Woman" by Al Bowlly with Lew Stone and His Monseigneur Band (1932). There are no hidden tracks or interludes on the standard edition.

Moonlight Edition

The Moonlight Edition of Future Nostalgia is a deluxe of Lipa's second studio , released on February 11, 2021, through . It expands the original 11-track with eight additional songs, including four previously unreleased studio recordings and four previously issued collaborations and remixes, to further the 's disco-influenced pop era amid its ongoing commercial success. The edition's rationale, as stated in the official , was to deliver new material alongside hit collaborations, celebrating the 's impact while providing fans with extended content from the same creative period. The four new tracks—"We're Good," "If It Ain't Me," "That Kind of Woman," and "Not My Problem" (featuring JID)—align sonically with the original album's blend of 1970s and 1980s disco, synth-pop, and house elements, featuring groovy basslines and empowering lyrics on relationships and self-assurance. "We're Good," the lead single, is a mid-tempo breakup track with a nautical theme, produced by Sly (Sylvester Willy Sivertsen). "If It Ain't Me" explores romantic independence over a funky rhythm, produced by Oliver Frid. "That Kind of Woman" celebrates bold femininity with orchestral strings and retro synths, co-produced by Justin Parker and Stuart Price. "Not My Problem," featuring rapper JID, addresses emotional boundaries in a hip-hop-infused dance track, produced by Koz (Stephen Kozmeniuk). These tracks were developed during the original album's production sessions, which spanned 2018 to 2019 in Los Angeles and London, though finalized post-release to complement the era without altering the core album. The additional content also incorporates previously released material: the bilingual collaboration "Fever" with Angèle, the rock-tinged "Prisoner" (originally by featuring Lipa), the remix "Levitating" featuring , and the reggaeton track "Un Día (One Day)" with and . These selections highlight Lipa's international collaborations from 2020, adding diversity to the reissue's upbeat, escapist vibe. The edition features updated artwork depicting Lipa in a ethereal, blue-toned pose evoking moonlight, contrasting the original's vibrant aesthetic, and is available in formats including CD, vinyl, and digital download with enhanced packaging for collectors.

Additional tracks

No.TitleWritersProducersLength
12"Fever" (with Angèle), Angèle, 3:30
13"We're Good", Sylvester Willy Sivertsen, , Scott HarrisSly3:10
14"Prisoner" ( featuring ), , Andrew Watt, Jonathan Bellion, Michael PollackAndrew Watt, 3:49
15"If It Ain't Me", Taylor Parks, Uzoechi EmenikeOliver Frid3:23
16"That Kind of Woman", Clarence Coffee Jr., , , 3:37
17"Not My Problem" (featuring ), Clarence Coffee Jr., Sarah Hudson, Destin RouteKoz2:26
18"Levitating" (featuring ), Clarence Coffee Jr., Sarah Hudson, Stephen Kozmeniuk, Jonathan KirkKoz4:03
19"Un Día (One Day)" (, , and ), , , 3:11
All tracks mixed and mastered by industry professionals including Josh Gudwin, , and , with vocal production by Clarence Coffee Jr. on select songs.

Charts

Weekly charts

Future Nostalgia achieved significant success on weekly album charts worldwide, debuting strongly and maintaining longevity, particularly in the streaming era. In the , the album debuted at number 2 on the Official Albums Chart before ascending to number 1 for four non-consecutive weeks, spending a total of 286 weeks on the chart and 52+ weeks in the top 10 as of November 2025. In the United States, it entered the at number 4 and has charted for over 280 weeks as of November 2025, marking Dua Lipa's longest-charting album, with notable endurance attributed to sustained streaming activity. In Australia, Future Nostalgia debuted at number 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart, rising to number 1 the following week—Lipa's first chart-topper there—and accumulating over 70 weeks in the top 10 as of 2025, with continued presence due to streaming resurgence.
Chart (2020–2025)PeakTotal weeks (as of Nov 2025)Weeks in top 10
UK Albums (OCC)128652+
US Billboard 2004280+37
Australia (ARIA)1286+70+
The album's singles also performed robustly on weekly charts in key markets, with "Don't Start Now" leading as the strongest performer, peaking at number 2 in both the UK and US while reaching number 1 in Canada. "Levitating" followed closely, hitting number 2 on the US Hot 100 and number 1 in Canada, bolstered by its remix featuring DaBaby. "Physical" and "Break My Heart" secured top 10 placements in the UK and Australia, contributing to the album's cross-market appeal, though US peaks were more modest outside the lead singles. By 2025, these tracks continued to accumulate weeks on global charts, driven by viral streaming and playlist inclusion.
SingleUK Singles (OCC)US Hot 100 ()Canada () ()
"Don't Start Now"2216
"Physical"214189
"Break My Heart"61387
"Levitating"5213

Year-end charts

Future Nostalgia demonstrated enduring popularity on year-end charts, particularly in and , driven by sustained streaming and sales following its release amid the global pandemic. In the United States, the album secured the number eight position on the year-end chart for 2020, marking it as one of the decade's standout pop releases with over 2.5 million album-equivalent units consumed that year. It continued to perform strongly into 2021, reaching number nine on the same chart, buoyed by the viral success of its singles. It also ranked at number 45 on the year-end chart for 2022. In the , Future Nostalgia ranked third on the Official Charts Company's year-end albums chart for 2020, behind only Lewis Capaldi's Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent and ' Fine Line, with over 400,000 units sold domestically. Globally, the album placed tenth on the IFPI Global Album All-Format Chart for 2020, highlighting its international appeal across physical sales, downloads, and streaming equivalents totaling approximately 4.7 million units worldwide. The album's singles also excelled on year-end rankings, with "Levitating" topping the year-end chart in 2021 as the biggest song of the year, accumulating over 1.1 billion audience impressions and streams.
YearChartPositionSource
2020 (US)8Billboard via BestSellingAlbums.org
2020UK Albums (Official Charts Company)3Official Charts
2020IFPI Global Albums (All Formats)10IFPI via Music Week
2021 (US)9Billboard via BestSellingAlbums.org
2022 (US)45Billboard via BestSellingAlbums.org
2021 (Single: "Levitating")1Billboard

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  34. https://www.vanityfair.com/style/dua-lipa-ysl-beauty-makeup-interview
  35. https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/4/8/21188670/coronavirus-quarantine-virtual-concerts-livestream-instagram
  36. https://lenslist.co/levitating
  37. https://usshop.dualipa.com/
  38. https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/dua-lipa-dont-start-now-listen-8541896/
  39. https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/dua-lipa-physical-listen-8549726/
  40. https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/dua-lipa-break-my-heart-9343282/
  41. https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/dua-lipa-hallucinate-video-9416434/
  42. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/dua-lipa-levitating-dababy-recording-credits-9520747/
  43. https://pitchfork.com/news/dua-lipa-shares-new-video-for-love-again-watch/
  44. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUVcZfQe-Kw
  45. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/dua-lipa-were-good-future-nostalgia-the-moonlight-edition-9525240/
  46. https://open.spotify.com/album/0E3wRkztEF32ZdYICXBuBf
  47. https://store.warnermusic.ca/products/future-nostalgia-the-moonlight-edition-cd
  48. https://www.metacritic.com/music/future-nostalgia/dua-lipa
  49. https://www.vox.com/2020/3/27/21196890/dua-lipa-future-nostalgia-review
  50. https://chartmasters.org/dua-lipa-albums-and-songs-sales/
  51. https://www.billboard.com/pro/dua-lipas-top-5-billboard-200-debut-is-a-big-pop-moment-for-warner-records/
  52. https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/dua-lipa-s-future-nostalgia-climbs-to-number-1-on-the-official-albums-chart__29402/
  53. https://kworb.net/spotify/artist/6M2wZ9GZgrQXHCFfjv46we_albums.html
  54. https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/dua-lipa-levitating-history-longest-charting-hot-100-1235043660/
  55. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Dua+Lipa&ti=Future+Nostalgia
  56. https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/17900-3930-1
  57. https://www.forbes.com/sites/cmalone/2020/03/27/back-to-the-future-dua-lipas-sophomore-album-is-a-dazzling-disco-pop-revival/
  58. https://dj.dancecult.net/index.php/dancecult/article/download/1195/1015/4591
  59. https://rhodycigar.com/2022/02/03/the-weeknd-taps-into-80s-synth-pop-in-latest-project/
  60. https://soundazed.com/charli-xcx-crash-album-review/
  61. https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2021/05/14/how-tiktok-keeps-dua-lipa-levitating-at-the-top-of-the-charts/
  62. https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-gb/dua-lipa-lands-levitating-video-with-help-from-tiktok
  63. https://www.vogue.com.au/celebrity/interviews/dua-lipa-on-fame-the-feminist-wave-in-music-and-her-lovehate-relationship-with-social-media/image-gallery/0ce1d2835722cb05cc72f99842e5f9fc
  64. https://www.npr.org/2025/03/15/nx-s1-5321053/covid-five-years-later-how-the-pandemic-changed-music
  65. https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/dua-lipa-studio-2054-breaks-global-livestream-record-9491446/
  66. https://news.pollstar.com/2024/11/08/chart-scene-dua-lipa-joins-artist-power-index-with-radical-optimism-tour-launch/
  67. https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/jun/29/dua-lipa-glastonbury-review-friday-pyramid-stage
  68. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dua-lipa/2024/worthy-farm-pilton-england-5babafe8.html
  69. https://music.apple.com/us/album/future-nostalgia/1538003494
  70. https://www.allmusic.com/album/future-nostalgia-mw0003359848
  71. https://genius.com/albums/Dua-lipa/Future-nostalgia
  72. https://www.whosampled.com/sample/729383/Dua-Lipa-Break-My-Heart-INXS-Need-You-Tonight/
  73. https://a.storyblok.com/f/85031/x/c0f778a1fa/dua-lipa_we-re-good-and-future-nostalgia-the-moonlight-edition-intl-press-release.pdf
  74. https://musicbrainz.org/release/e74c746c-48c0-4da5-91b1-4900f83b6897/cover-art
  75. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/dua-lipa-future-nostalgia/
  76. https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2025/06/30/dua-lipas-biggest-album-brings-her-to-a-major-milestone/
  77. https://www.aria.com.au/charts/news/dua-lipa-hits-1-with-future-nostalgia
  78. https://www.noise11.com/news/australian-charts-dua-lipa-future-nostalgia-is-back-at-number-one-20220424
  79. https://bestsellingalbums.org/year-end/Billboard_Top_Albums_2021
  80. https://bestsellingalbums.org/year-end/Billboard_Top_Albums_2022
  81. https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-albums-of-2020__29265/
  82. https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/bts-win-first-ever-ifpi-global-album-award-for-2020-s-biggest-record-across-all-formats/082797
  83. https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/dua-lipa-levitating-2021-hot-100-top-song-year-in-charts-1235004941/
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