May’s musical melodies: A review of the newest album drops

Featuring albums by Dua Lipa, Gunna, and Cage the Elephant

Mitchell Eng, Graphics Editor & Business Manager

May 23, 2024

“Radical Optimism” – Dua Lipa, May 3, 2024

It has been seven years since Dua Lipa burst onto the music scene with her self-titled debut album. The song “New Rules” and its accompanying music video contributed to her rapid rise to pop stardom. Now, four years after her second album, “Future Nostalgia,” she released her third studio album, “Radical Optimism.” The eleven song record is short but quite sweet. Songs such as “End of an Era” and “French Exit” are produced by Tame Impala, who is able to give each song a catchy melody and drum pattern to keep the album upbeat. The lyric content of the album is mostly dedicated to discussing the complexities of romance and the hit single, “Illusion,” dives specifically into manipulation within relationships.

I found “Radical Optimism” to be a good catchy dance pop record that almost everyone could enjoy. Although many of the tracks can blend together, the brevity of the album plays to its advantage to allow the songs to play their part in a cohesive project.

“One of Wun” – Gunna, May 10, 2024

Released less than a year after “a Gift & a Curse,” “One of Wun” is an ordinary Gunna album, falling into the same problems that his music has always had. Each song has a very similar trap beat and features the same flow and delivery from Gunna. Songs like “prada dem” featuring Offset and “on one tonight” are prime examples, with the lyrics being repetitive and largely uninteresting. Gunna does try something new, with more afrobeat inspired instrumentals towards the second half of the album, but it isn’t enough to salvage this LP.

If you are a big Gunna fan, you probably liked this project. However if you are an average listener, this album most likely just sounded like a collection of standard Gunna songs. It is simply just alright.

“Neon Pill” – Cage the Elephant, May 17, 2024

For Cage the Elephant’s first album since the global pandemic, I had very high expectations. After their older songs like “Cigarette Daydreams” went viral on social media platforms, Cage the Elephant experienced further success within the mainstream. “Neon Pill,” the group’s sixth studio album, is a good indie rock album that, in my opinion, was worth the five year wait. The rock band’s ability to make a modern album sound like it belongs within the 20th century is what I really enjoyed. The title track, “Neon Pill,” and “Ball and Chain” include distorted instrumentals and vocals that make it sound more grunge. “Rainbow” features a similar indie vibe, but a more summery and mellow sound.

This album provides the listener an experience that is more than simply listening to a collection of songs. Cage the Elephant has created a solid, catchy project that fits perfectly within their discography. With this release, I feel like Cage the Elephant has quietly become one of this era’s top rock bands.

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