Lizzo has unleashed ‘Special’ – her fourth studio album.
Led by the infectious ‘About Damn Time,’ the set sees Lizzo tackle themes of self-love, acceptance, and more.
That Grape Juice has been spinning the LP since its release. Join us below to find out which five tracks are essential on ‘Special.’
5. Break Up Twice
One of the more stirring ballads across ‘Special,’ ‘Break Up Twice’ contains all the flare of classic soul music with its retro drum machine and powerful vocals. Complete with an interpolation of Lauryn Hill’s ‘Doo Wop (That Thing),’ ‘Break Up Twice’ only further proves that Lizzo not only honors the idols that can before her, but that she could be one herself one day.
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4. Coldplay
On the very last song on ‘Special,’ Lizzo crafted the truest of love songs. All about a romantic trip to Mexico, Lizzo reveals some of the most intimate details about the relationship such as dancing to no music. Sampling Coldplay’s classic song ‘Yellow,’ ‘Coldplay’ is Lizzo at her most in love and her most free.
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3. 2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)
Across ‘Special’ Lizzo finds herself leaning into retro sounds and mixing them with modern production. However, on ‘2 Be Loved’ she ditches modernity for a delicious slice of 80s-inspired synth-pop. Perfect for the ending of any 80s movie, ‘2 Be Loved’ contains an epic key change as she realizes that not only is she ready for love, but she deserves it as well.
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2. If You Love Me
Ditching heavy synths and sparking production, Lizzo instead opts for a folkier sound on ‘If You Love Me.’ Led by an acoustic guitar, the song offers a moment of true intimacy for her not only as a person, but as a singer as well. If there is one thing that ‘If You Love Me’ proves, it’s not only that Lizzo is instead a vocalist, but could see future success in folk music if she so ever dared to venture down that path, one we would love to see her try.
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1. About Damn Time
Since her meteoric rise to fame in 2019 with her smash ‘Truth Hurts,’ Lizzo has had a knack for going viral. ‘About Damn Time’ not only ended the drought for new music from her, but she also managed to snag yet another viral smash. However, the song is more than a viral smash, it is an anthem for body positivity, one that is as classic as the disco era it references.
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Do you agree with our picks?
Great album!
This album slaps! Coldplay, break up twice, and everybody’s gay are my absolute favorites and are on constant replay.
AMAZING album!! One of the best released this year. I see more awards in her future.
I’m loving all of her new music. The production is dope and her vocals are strong. She’s proving herself to be a great artist with staying power.
Flop!
Yup.
I love that doesn’t need any guests/features.
I talked to my girlfriends yesterday
They reminded me of when you had me crying in my car
And when you came to my barbecue, they all gave you attitude
Well, shoot, every reason they mad at you is true
But we promised to make up
Even if it’s gon’ take us all of our lives
I’m willing to give it another try
We need to do this like love’s on the line this time
Boy, you know you better, ooh, you know you better
Boy, you know you bettеr watch out
‘Cause boy, you know me bettеr, you know me so much better
You know that I don’t break up twice
And my love so good it hurts
You make it work ’cause you know my worth
And I can have any man I want
But I never had nobody with a love like you
It would be a shame not to see this through
Who gon’ put up with your Gemini s*** like I do? (Ha-ha-ha)
And we promised to make up
Even if it’s gon’ take us all of our lives
I’m willing to give it another try
We need to do this like love’s on the line
I’m real, loving takes time
Boy, you know you better, ooh, you know you better
Boy, you know you better watch out
‘Cause boy, you know me better, you know me so much better
You know that I don’t break up, you know that I don’t break up twice
It takes time (woo-ooh)
It takes time (oh)
It takes time (yeah)
(It’s a real thing)
Boy, you know you better (ah-ha)
It takes time (hey)
It takes time
You know that I don’t break up
The only track I didn’t like was “Break up twice”.
Totally agree with “If You Love me” being the standout – it has been on repeat here.
I need to listen to it with more attention but many things I heard from her let me know that the whole thing was made in a rush.
She said 1 year ago that the album was done but was not in phase with her actual feelings. She recently said she wrote all the songs (Special included) right after Rumors was out and proceded to mastering them all in march this years so this album has been writen at the last minute. She also said she recorded like 100 songs for the album but she only gives 12… I don’t get it. With so much material, how can you give that less? Put out 14 or 15 songs and if you want to release a deluxe edition later you can add 4 or 5 songs, I don’t know but I know one thing, these “artists” are not doing music for passion but for fame and placement in the charts.