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"New Love"
Dua Lipa in a black jacket posing in front of a floral background.
Single by Dua Lipa
from the album Dua Lipa
Released21 August 2015 (2015-08-21)
StudioTaP / Strongroom 7 (London)
GenreSynth-pop
Length4:31
LabelDua Lipa Limited
Songwriters
Producers
  • Emile Haynie
  • Andrew Wyatt
Dua Lipa singles chronology
"New Love"
(2015) 		"Be the One"
(2015)
Music video
"New Love" on YouTube

"New Love" is the debut single by English singer Dua Lipa from her eponymous debut studio album (2017). It was written by Lipa and its producers Emile Haynie and Andrew Wyatt about the singer's struggle to find her place in the music industry. The song is a synth-pop ballad with neo soul and R&B elements as well as a stomping, tribal drum beat throughout. Several music critics complimented the song's showcase of Lipa's vocals.

Despite receiving limited attention upon its independent release on 21 August 2015, "New Love" became popular among music tastemakers and helped Lipa receive a longlisting in the BBC's Sound of... critics poll for 2016. Photographer Nicole Nodland directed the music video which is a montage of filtered footage of Lipa in Los Angeles doing activities she enjoys. The song was performed during three of the singer's concert tours, the most recent being the Self-Titled Tour in 2017 and 2018.

Background and composition

[edit]
"New Love"
A synth-pop track, "New Love" sees Lipa singing accompanied by stomping, tribal drums in the first verse, which builds to a climax before the chorus.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Dua Lipa co-wrote "New Love" with Emile Haynie and Andrew Wyatt.[1] At the time, Lipa went into many failed writing sessions trying to recreate her track "Hotter than Hell" and it was only after this transpired that she wrote "New Love".[2] She wrote the song about being undecided on her sound and message in a music industry that "often seems to neither want nor need you."[3] According to Lipa, the track is about "facing the fear of losing the only thing that matters to you."[4] Both Haynie and Wyatt handled the production. The song was written in New York and the vocals were recorded at TaP Studio / Strongroom 7 in London.[1][2] The mixing was handled by Manny Marroquin at Larrabee North Studios in Universal City, California while it was mastered at London's Metropolis Studios by John Davis.[1]

Musically, "New Love" is a synth-pop ballad with neo soul and R&B elements.[5][6][7][8] The song runs for 4 minutes and 31 seconds and has a structure of verse, refrain, bridge, chorus, verse, refrain, bridge, chorus, middle eight, bridge, chorus.[1][9] It is composed in 4
4 time and the key of A-flat major, with a syncopated pop tempo of 90 beats per minute. The verses have a D♭maj7–E♭ chord progression, while the chorus follows an A♭maj7–D♭maj7–B♭m–E♭ sequence.[10] The song has a stomping, tribal drum beat throughout and Lipa's deep, full-throated vocal is stretched in the production to feintly echo.[7][11] The verses build to a climax before cutting to a simpler chorus.[12] The singer cascades around the track's two-word title and uses melisma in the chorus.[8][13] Her vocal range spans from E♭3 to C5.[10]

Release and promotion

[edit]

"New Love" was premiered online by New York City magazine The Fader on 20 August 2015.[4][14] It was released the following day for digital download and streaming by the singer's independent record label, Dua Lipa Limited,[9][15] as her debut single.[4][16][17] Recalling her decision to release the single, Lipa said: "When I showed 'New Love' to people, they'd say, 'Oh, I didn't expect that'. I loved that reaction, so I went with it."[18] Remixes by Jarreau Vandal and Para One were released on 29 January 2016.[19] The latter's remix makes use of vocoder noodling and synth streaks that give it a subtle G-funk feel, while Lipa's vocals are converted into a 1980s-style with R&B-pop hooks.[20][21]

"New Love" was first included on the Austria, Germany and Switzerland exclusive extended play (EP) for Lipa's single "Be the One" as the second track, released on 19 February 2016.[22] A live, shortened version of the song was released as the second track on Lipa's 8 July 2016-released extended play Spotify Sessions.[23] It is also included on Lipa's Urban Outfitters-exclusive vinyl extended play The Only, released on 21 April 2017 serving as the fifth and final track.[24] "New Love" serves as the lead single from Lipa's self-titled debut studio album, released as the deluxe edition's fifteenth track on 2 June 2017.[25] It was originally intended to be placed as the seventh track on the standard edition of the album,[26] and appears in that position on the Austrian, German and Swiss version of the album.[27]

Lipa gave her first live performance of "New Love" at Eurosonic Noorderslag in the Netherlands on 13 January 2016.[28] It was included in the set lists for Lipa's 2016 UK Tour and Hotter than Hell Tour, accompanied by two keyboardists and a drummer.[16][29] She also performed the track at Lollapalooza on 30 July 2016, her Mother Teresa Square concert in Albania on 10 August 2016, and at the SWR3 New Pop Festival in Germany on 16 September 2016.[30][31][32] During the Self-Titled Tour in 2017 and 2018, Lipa performed the song backed only by a guitarist.[33]

Reception

[edit]

In contrast to her later singles, "New Love" received limited attention.[34] However, it proved popular among music tastemakers and helped Lipa receive a longlisting in the BBC's Sound of... critics poll for 2016.[16][35] The 405 named it "a contender for the strongest debut of 2015."[4] Courtney Buck, a reviewer from the publication, found the production "strangely haunting", but cited Lipa's vocals as "the star of the show".[4] Chris Martins of Spin felt the production was "wisely restrained enough to cede the stage to Lipa's incredible pipes, capable of belting hooks and seeping seduction in equal measure."[36] Caroline Sullivan wrote in The Guardian that the singer showcased a "smoke-darkened voice older and more disillusioned than her years."[16] Jocasta Jones of The Independent on Sunday called Lipa's vocals "beautiful".[37]

For The Fader, Lindsey Weber saw "New Love" as "surprisingly heavy" and called the lyrics as "resentful, nostalgic, and always ready for a change". She went on to praise Lipa's "throaty and mature" voice, comparing it to that of Joss Stone and Lady Gaga.[7] Gigwise's Catherine Elliott deemed it an "absolute blinding pop song" and "a welcomed relief to all of the over styled, plastic tackiness of mainstream pop."[38] Writing for The Line of Best Fit, Laurence Day viewed the song as "a sizzling piece of rhythmic synthpop", while NME's Thomas Smith named it a "trippy, soul-tinged ballad".[5][6] In April 2020, Christopher Rosa of Glamour ranked "New Love" as Lipa's seventh worst track criticizing its lack of longevity, but praising the song's showcase of Lipa's "robust" vocals.[39]

Music video

[edit]

Production and release

[edit]

The music video for "New Love" was directed by photographer Nicole Nodland, who also shot the single's cover art.[40] It was edited by Jackson Ducasse and filmed in Super 8 film format.[41][42] The video was filmed in one day in Los Angeles.[43] After Lipa expressed disappointment for a different track's postponed music video shoot, Nodland suggested to direct the clip for "New Love" during a dinner with the singer. As the video was a low-budget production, Lipa wrote her own treatment for it.[40] Her styling was inspired by 1990s fashion and vintage clothing.[44] According to the singer, the concept involved activities she enjoys doing and alludes to "a life in the day of Dua Lipa".[40]

Some scenes were entirely improvised while Nodland and Lipa were driving through Los Angeles. Among these were the inflatable slide on Melrose Avenue which Lipa slid down before being charged to use it, and the white-suited men who were spontaneously asked to dance after Lipa spotted them taking pictures at Hollywood Hills.[40][45] The visual shortens the song's length to 3 minutes and 59 seconds.[42] The music video premiered alongside the song on 20 August 2015 on The Fader's website.[4][14] It was released on YouTube the following day.[42]

A heavily filtered Dua Lipa twirling in a field.
A scene from the Super 8 film format music video that makes heavy use of colour and effect filters in the style of psychedelic art

Synopsis and reception

[edit]

The music video uses many colour and effect filters in the style of psychedelic art. The video speed adapts to the tempo of the song with slow motion sequences playing during the chorus.[46] Lipa is shown wandering carefree through a street and eating sweets that turn her mouth blue.[5] At Tattoo Mania in Los Angeles, Keith Haring drawings are tattooed on Lipa's thumbs as a tribute to New York City, her "favourite place in the world after London."[40][47] In another scene, Lipa lights a cigarette from a candle on a birthday cake and swigs a jug of milk while shopping in a supermarket in a silk kimono.[45] During other segments she is shown cycling in a red dress, blowing bubbles between two men, strolling with heart balloons, and twirling with sparklers.[46][48]

Writing for DIY, Jamie Milton said the video "felt like a celebration in colourful, dynamic pop".[49] Eoin Butler of The Irish Times described it as "like The Big Lebowski, just a little sexier."[50]

Track listings

[edit]
  • Digital download and streaming
  1. "New Love" – 4:31
  2. "New Love" (Instrumental) – 3:56
  3. "New Love" (Acapella) – 4:33
  • Digital download and streaming – remixes
  1. "New Love" (Jarreau Vandal remix) – 4:01
  2. "New Love" (Para One remix) – 4:28

Personnel

[edit]

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "New Love"
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various 21 August 2015
Original Dua Lipa Limited [9]
29 January 2016 Remixes [19]

References

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

New Love

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"New Love" is the debut single by English singer-songwriter , released digitally on 21 August 2015 through Warner Bros. Records. The track, produced by and co-written by Lipa, Haynie, and , explores themes of uncertainty in her artistic direction amid industry pressures and the yearning for a fresh start in her career. Although it did not achieve significant commercial success upon release—failing to chart on major international lists—it marked Lipa's entry into the music industry and helped cultivate her early fanbase through online buzz and tastemaker support. Lipa, then 19 years old, drew from personal experiences of uncertainty in her artistic direction amid industry pressures when crafting the song, which she described as an unexpected sound that surprised listeners during early showings. The accompanying music video, directed by Nicole Nodland and filmed in Los Angeles, features Lipa performing in urban settings with a group of dancers, emphasizing themes of movement and escape. "New Love" was later included on the deluxe edition of Lipa's self-titled debut studio album, released in 2017, which propelled her to global stardom with hits like "New Rules" and "IDGAF." Reflecting on its eighth anniversary in 2023, Lipa shared on that the track represented a pivotal moment: "8 years ago I released my very first single ‘New Love’… I was 18 and had no idea what was ahead of me," underscoring its role in launching her career from independent roots to Grammy-winning acclaim. The song's minimalist production and Lipa's confident vocals foreshadowed her signature blend of pop, , and electronic influences in subsequent work.

Development

Background

Dua Lipa signed with Warner Bros. Records UK in 2014 after label executives discovered her through cover songs she had uploaded to and . This deal marked a pivotal step in her transition from modeling and informal online music sharing to a professional recording career. The creation of "New Love" stemmed from Lipa's personal struggles and uncertainties as she navigated the early stages of the music industry, including doubts about defining her unique sound and delivering a clear artistic message. Co-written with producers and prior to its recording in 2014, the track captured these challenges, serving as an outlet for her experiences in finding her footing amid the competitive landscape. As Lipa's debut single, "New Love" symbolized the launch of her professional trajectory, establishing her presence with a that reflected her evolving identity as an artist. It later appeared on the deluxe edition of her self-titled debut in 2017.

Composition

"New Love" is classified as a incorporating and R&B influences, characterized by its emotive structure and rhythmic pulse. The track runs for 4:31 minutes in its version. The was recorded in at Strongroom 7 studios during 2014. Mixing took place in at Larrabee North Studios in North Hollywood, handled by with assistance from Ike Schultz and Chris Galland. Mastering was completed in by John Davis at Metropolis Studios. Lyrically, "New Love" uses the of a failing relationship to explore themes of indecision and the search for artistic identity amid the challenges of the music industry, reflecting the singer's in defining her sound and place within it. The song was co-written by , , and . Production highlights include atmospheric synth layers that create a backdrop, complemented by stomping tribal drums that build tension toward the chorus. Lipa's vocal delivery stands out with its confident yet vulnerable tone, allowing her layered harmonies to convey emotional depth over the sparse instrumentation.

Release and Promotion

Release

"New Love" was released on August 21, 2015, as Dua Lipa's debut single in the form of a digital download through Dua Lipa Limited, an imprint of Warner Bros. Records under exclusive license to Warner Music UK Limited. The single was made available globally across major digital platforms and streaming services, marking Lipa's entry into the music industry. It premiered online via magazine on August 20, 2015, which helped build pre-release anticipation among music tastemakers. Initially issued as a standalone track, "New Love" was later featured on the 2017 EP and included as the 15th track on the deluxe edition of Lipa's self-titled debut studio album, released in 2017.

Promotion

The song and music video for "New Love" premiered exclusively on The Fader on August 20, 2015, generating initial buzz for Lipa's entry into the music scene. It was released digitally the following day. Promotional efforts emphasized the track as Lipa's debut single, with interviews highlighting its role in establishing her sound. In a Nylon feature shortly after release, Lipa described the production process and the song's unexpected, genre-blending appeal, which surprised listeners familiar with her online covers. This early media exposure contributed to her longlisting for the BBC Sound of 2016 poll, announced on November 30, 2015, as part of the rising buzz around her work. Lipa debuted "New Love" live at the Eurosonic Noorderslag festival in , , on January 13, 2016. The song was subsequently incorporated into her setlists for the Dua Lipa Tour in 2017, where it appeared as a staple alongside tracks from her self-titled debut album.

Music Video

Production

The music video for "New Love" was directed by photographer Nicole Nodland, a frequent collaborator with . Filming took place in during the summer of 2015, capturing spontaneous scenes around locations such as the Melrose slide and the . The production adopted a low-budget approach, shot in a casual, renegade style during what Lipa described as a fun outing with friends, emphasizing authenticity over polished sets. To achieve a vintage aesthetic, the video was filmed in the style of old Super 8 films, incorporating heavy color filters and effects for a trippy, dreamy look that highlighted psychedelic and artistic visuals. This aligned with the single's release on August 21, 2015, as the video premiered the day prior on August 20 via and subsequently on . In , editor Jackson Ducasse refined the footage into fluid, montage-style sequences that enhanced the ethereal and artistic tone.

Synopsis and Reception

The music video for "New Love," directed by photographer Nicole Nodland, unfolds as a montage of Super 8 footage capturing in everyday activities around , such as wandering urban streets, savoring sweets at a , getting a , through sunny neighborhoods, and twirling with lit sparklers at . These intimate, youthful moments are interspersed with psychedelic art-style filters and abstract imagery achieved through vibrant color overlays and effects, creating a dreamlike, hypnotic aesthetic that blends reality with artistic whimsy. Filmed in a raw, filtered format, the video evokes a sense of spontaneous freedom while subtly nodding to the song's emotional undercurrents. Thematically, the visuals emphasize introspection and artistic exploration, paralleling the lyrics' reflections on unrequited affection and personal discovery in a bustling world. Lipa's casual interactions and the video's abstract flourishes portray a young artist's inner world, transforming mundane routines into a canvas for emotional and creative expression, much like the track's build from tribal drums to soaring synth-pop climax. This mirroring reinforces the song's narrative of vulnerability amid new romantic pursuits. Critically, the video earned praise for its bold visual style and Nodland's intimate direction, with The Fader hailing its "all color and recklessness" that captures the vibrancy of a 19-year-old's chaotic experiences. The Irish Times lauded it as reminiscent of The Big Lebowski "just a little sexier," appreciating the quirky, laid-back charm that humanizes Lipa's emerging persona. Outlets like Billboard have revisited the video positively in retrospective pieces, noting its role in launching her career. Viewer response has been robust, with the official YouTube upload surpassing 57 million views as of November 2025 and generating widespread social media engagement through fan shares and discussions on its authentic, nostalgic vibe.

Reception

Critical Reception

Upon its release in August 2015, "New Love" received positive acclaim from critics for Dua Lipa's commanding vocals and the song's emotional resonance. The Fader described the track as sparkling like a quintessential love anthem while providing space for Lipa's vocals to convey raw hurt, highlighting its balance of shimmer and depth. Similarly, The Guardian praised the debut single for showcasing Lipa's smoke-darkened voice, which sounded older and more disillusioned than her 20 years, infusing the lyrics with a mature emotional weight. The song's reception helped establish Lipa as a promising voice in , with its throbbing beat and ethereal production blending neo-soul influences into an accessible, heavy . Critics noted its role as a strong debut that turned heads among tastemakers, leading to her longlisting for the 2016 poll. Reviewers drew comparisons to for its atmospheric balladry and shared sense of statuesque hauteur, though Lipa emphasized her distinct artistic path. In retrospective analyses following the success of Lipa's 2017 self-titled debut album, "New Love" has been recognized as a foundational track that laid the groundwork for her rise, drawing significant early attention and signaling her potential as a pop innovator.

Commercial Performance

"New Love" experienced modest commercial success upon its release, failing to enter major international charts such as the UK Singles Chart or the Billboard Hot 100, which underscored its limited initial market impact as Dua Lipa's debut single. Despite this, the track gained tastemaker attention that contributed to her early recognition. In the years following its release, "New Love" saw steady growth in streaming platforms, amassing over 77 million streams on as of November 2025, reflecting sustained listener interest tied to Lipa's rising popularity. This digital performance helped build her foundational fanbase, paving the way for breakthrough hits like "," which achieved significant chart success and broadened her audience. The song's enduring appeal was highlighted in anniversary celebrations, including Lipa's 2023 post marking its eighth year, where she noted, "19 year old me would be very happy to know we'd get this far."

Track Listings and Credits

Track Listings

"New Love" was first released as a single on August 21, 2015, containing only the original version. On January 31, 2016, an expanded single was issued digitally, including the original, instrumental, and acapella versions.
VersionDuration
Original4:32
Instrumental3:56
Acapella4:32
A remix EP was released on January 29, 2016, in the UK.
VersionDuration
Original4:32
Jarreau Vandal Remix4:02
Paraone Remix4:28
The original version is included on the deluxe edition of 's self-titled debut album, released on June 2, 2017.

Personnel

The personnel credits for 's "New Love" are as follows:
  • Dua Lipa – lead vocals, backing vocals, songwriter
  • – production, songwriter
  • – production, backing vocals, songwriter
  • – mixing engineer (at Larrabee Studios, )
  • Chris Galland – assistant mixing engineer
  • Ike Schultz – assistant mixing engineer
  • John Davis – mastering engineer (at Metropolis Mastering, )
Vocals were recorded at Strongroom 7 and TaP Studios in .

Release History

"New Love" was initially released as a digital download and for streaming worldwide on August 21, 2015, under the independent label Dua Lipa Limited. A remix EP, featuring versions by Jarreau Vandal and Para One, followed as a digital download in the on January 29, 2016, via . An expanded single with instrumental and acapella versions was released digitally worldwide on January 31, 2016, under . The original track was later included on the deluxe edition of 's self-titled debut , released worldwide on June 2, 2017, by . No physical formats were issued for the single or its .
DateFormatRegionLabelNotes
August 21, 2015Digital , streamingWorldwideDua Lipa LimitedOriginal single release
January 29, 2016Digital Warner Records UKRemix EP with Jarreau Vandal and Para One versions
January 31, 2016Digital , streamingWorldwideWarner Records UKExpanded single with original, instrumental, and acapella
June 2, 2017Digital , streaming (album inclusion)WorldwideWarner Bros. RecordsIncluded on Dua Lipa (Deluxe)

References

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz-dPOjK1gQ
  2. https://people.com/dua-lipa-celebrates-8th-anniversary-debut-song-new-love-7693673
  3. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/dua-lipa-debut-single-new-love-8th-anniversary-post-1235396466/
  4. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7899470/
  5. https://www.billboard.com/artist/dua-lipa/
  6. https://www.wmg.com/news/breakthrough-artist-dua-lipa-lands-first-number-one-single-uk-ireland-new-rules-27631
  7. https://hellorayo.co.uk/tay/entertainment/music/dua-lipa-hits
  8. https://www.thefader.com/2015/08/20/dua-lipa-new-love-video
  9. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/dua-lipa/new-love.p/
  10. https://music.apple.com/us/song/new-love/1228739614
  11. https://musicbrainz.org/release/ddf00a75-4e94-411a-855d-8b244dda359f
  12. https://genius.com/Dua-lipa-new-love-lyrics
  13. https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/new-love-mr0004452043
  14. https://open.spotify.com/album/3y9KX279BOc4iFpMoM1y72
  15. https://www.discogs.com/release/10162724-Dua-Lipa-The-Only-EP
  16. https://music.apple.com/us/album/dua-lipa-deluxe/1228739599
  17. https://www.nylon.com/articles/dua-lipa-interview
  18. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-34636509
  19. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dua-lipa/2016/vera-groningen-netherlands-43f3eb5b.html
  20. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dua-lipa/2017/house-of-blues-boston-ma-3be0e0c0.html
  21. https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/news/a18866/dua-lipa-interview/
  22. https://www.universal-music.de/dua-lipa/news/new-love-bei-universal-music-wir-begruessen-saengerin-dua-lipa-235179
  23. https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/shuffle-elle-king-objectifies-benedict-cumberbatch-humanises-1.2354049
  24. https://www.thefader.com/2015/08/20/songs-you-need-in-your-life-this-week-panda-bear-twigs
  25. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jan/19/dua-lipa-review-promising-dark-pop-brighton
  26. https://www.thefader.com/2015/12/09/dua-lipa-gen-f-interview
  27. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/dua-lipa-album-release-date-top-40-charts-stormzy-rag-n-bone-man-a7626696.html
  28. https://diymag.com/feature/dua-lipa-future-nostalgia-radical-optimism
  29. https://www.mystreamcount.com/track/4VZXB1paIf867OlmQg89GU
  30. https://www.discogs.com/release/7965646-Dua-Lipa-New-Love
  31. https://music.apple.com/ca/album/new-love-single/1804947460
  32. https://www.discogs.com/release/12787929-Dua-Lipa-New-Love-Remixes
  33. https://musicbrainz.org/release/d3a6bd3c-41cc-46f5-bb96-b70427c81e5a
  34. https://www.allmusic.com/album/release/dua-lipa-deluxe-edition--mr0004582757
  35. https://www.discogs.com/master/1452349-Dua-Lipa-New-Love
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