After a three year musical hiatus between her major breakthrough in 2019 with her album Cuz I Love You, Lizzo is now back with her recently released album, Special, featuring one of the summer's most inescapable songs "About Damn Time,” plus 11 more tracks all about love, affirmation, friendship, empowerment, and confidence.
LISTEN NOW: Pop Culture Happy Hour - Lizzo's Special
On the latest episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour, art journalist Stephen Thompson is joined by Christina Lee of Bottom of the Map podcast, to talk all about it.
Having been a fan of Lizzo since the release of her 2016 EP Coconut Oil, Christina noted that she knew the GRAMMY winner was a superstar back then, she was just waiting for the rest of the world to catch up. And now that they have, with Special, like Stephen pointed out and Lee repeated, “Lizzo is trying to maintain her staying power, and it feels surreal.”
“We’re really having to reckon with Lizzo as a hit-making machine, Christina continued, “like first time, second time, third time, now she’s a certifiable hit-maker. And you can hear those tendencies throughout this particular album.”
Having fallen in love with Lizzo around the same time as Lee, Stephen agreed that up until now Lizzo has “had these incredible victory laps that have been enormously pleasing to watch, and now this record is ‘how do you sustain it?’’
There’s a big difference between being a plucky rising artist and… and being where she is now, where she has been coordinated — she is now a big star. “About Damn Time” is another huge hit, so lighting is definitely striking again for her.”
While listening to the entire album, both Stephen and Christina had the same experience, coming to the realization that more than just being its title, the album is in fact Special, noting “I’m hearing these songs for the first time — of many.”
To hear more about what Stephen and Christina had to say about Special and their favorite, standout tracks — press play on episode above.
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Get obsessed, five days a week —the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast serves you recommendations and commentary on the buzziest movies, TV, music, books, video games, and more. Join arts journalists Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson, and Aisha Harris - plus a rotating cast of guest pop culture aficionados. The Happy Hour team leaves room at the table for exploring a range of reactions and opinions on every bit of the pop universe. From lowbrow to highbrow to the stuff in between, they take it all with a shot of cheer. Make your happy hour even happier with Pop Culture Happy Hour.
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