Lizzo, the queen we know and love, has dropped a brand album, Special, featuring 10 new songs along with her hit singles “All About Time” and “Grrrls.”
It’s been a hectic year for the pop star. Her hit Amazon Prime show, Watch Out for The Big Grrls, earned six Emmy nominations this year, and she also recently launched her own revolutionary shapewear brand, Yitty, which is centered on embracing our bodies and stripping the shame that often comes with wearing shapewear. If that isn’t enough, she’s also a TikTok sensation.
Despite her busy schedule, Lizzo still made time to craft this album, boasting a sound that takes after its name, Special.
Lizzo’s music is always accompanied by feel-good beats and lyrics, making it perfect to listen to this summer. This album featured amazing producers like Ricky Reed, Mark Ronson, Max Martin, and Benny Blanco, as well as some delightfully surprising samples that had me personally screaming in my room.
Special includes the pre-released singles “About Damn Time” and “Grrrls,” with each setting the tone for the rest of the album. “About Damn Time” is an uplifting anthem, speaking to challenging and disheartening feelings but wanting to go out and have fun regardless. The message, surrounded by a catchy, pop-funk beat, earned Lizzo another hit: “About Damn Time” hnot only became a TikTok sensation, but it has also become Lizzo’s highest streaming single and fourth chart-topping hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
“About Damn Time” is the perfect precursor for Special: It showcases Lizzo’s perfected science behind a feel-good anthem.
However, she opens up the album with “The Sign,” clearly an upbeat track while still exploring vulnerability about past relationships and remembering her worth. This song sets the precedent for the rest of the album. Lizzo’s album thoroughly shows off her classic, feel-good sound with honest and open lyrics.
Songs like “2 Be Loved” and “If You Love Me” are sentimental and self-reflective. “If You Love Me” centers feelings of distrust for self-love and Lizzo’s love for someone else when the world can’t love her to her face, as she states in the song. “2 Be Loved” is an upbeat synth-pop anthem that contemplates whether or not she’s ready for love, despite wanting it.
The synth beat and brassy sound of these songs are cohesive, followed by songs like “Naked” and “Break Up Twice,” easily the stand-out songs of the album.
“Break Up Twice” is the opposite of a break-up song, instead exploring how to make things work to avoid breaking up again. Lizzo’s vocals shine through on this song that features a Lauryn Hill sample in the chorus.
“Naked” is a sultry song with a gritty guitar in the background of her smooth vocals. It’s wild how amazing the song is—Lizzo’s voice just pulls you into the song that’s an ode to her body.
Another star of the album is “Everybody’s Gay.” It’s the perfect party song or a great addition to your getting-ready playlist. It has a retro feel to it on a disco-pop track that automatically makes you want to get up and dance. It’s definitely a summer anthem.
Give Special a listen if you want to feel good and like the bad bitch you are. If you want to see the album live, act fast and get tickets to Lizzo’s Special tour, with special guests Latto and Saucy Santana.
Listen to Special here:
Photos courtesy of Lizzo
