Dua Lipa's 'Training Season' Review

In "Training Season," Dua Lipa's newest single from her still-untitled upcoming third album, the pop powerhouse takes us on a rollercoaster ride through the dizzying highs and lows of modern dating. The song, a vivid encapsulation of her journey towards self-discovery and empowerment, is nothing short of a masterpiece. As Dua channels her inner ABBA with a melodic prowess that strides confidently on a disco beat infused with Middle-Eastern inspired scales, it becomes clear that she has transformed her dating woes into a transformative anthem.

Dua's experience with a series of bad dates serves as the bedrock for "Training Season," informing not only the song's lyrical content but embodying the emotional reservoir from which the track draws. She candidly shares, “I had been on a string of bad dates, and the last one was the final straw. The next morning I arrived at the studio to [cowriters] Caroline and Tobias asking me how it all went and I immediately declared ‘TRAINING SEASON IS OVER,’” illuminating the moment of epiphany that birthed the track.

Dua expands on the theme, stating, “And while it is obviously about that feeling when you are just absolutely done telling people…men specifically in this case, how to date you right; it is also about my training season being over and me growing with every experience. I have never felt more confident, clear or empowered.” Her reflection not only frames "Training Season" as an emblem of personal growth but also positions it as a beacon for listeners navigating their own dating lives. She captures the essence of seeking a connection that transcends the superficial, hinting at a deeper yearning for companionship and mutual growth: "And while it may be that training season is never over for any of us, you start to see the beauty in finding that person to experience it with. You stop looking for the trainees and become more interested in having someone where you are and someone to grow with.”

This sentiment is vividly brought to life in the music video directed by Vincent Haycock, where visual storytelling and choreography delve into the rigors and chaos of dating. Much like the lyrical journey, the video sees Dua navigating through a sea of potential partners, underscoring the song's narrative with a visual punch that's both mesmerizing and reflective of the song's core message.

The production, a collaborative effort with Tame Impala's Kevin Parker and Danny L. Harle, along with lyrical contributions from Tobias Jesso Jr. and Caroline Ailin, ensures that "Training Season" doesn't just resonate on an emotional level but also stands as a sonic delight. It's this amalgamation of personal narrative, stellar production, and Dua's vocal and emotional rawness that propels "Training Season" beyond the confines of a typical pop song into a poignant, empowering anthem.

"Training Season" is Dua Lipa's bold declaration of independence and growth, a mirror to her evolution both as an artist and individual. As the second single from her forthcoming third album, "Training Season" sets an exhilarating precedent for what's to come, promising a body of work brimming with introspection, defiant empowerment, and, of course, Dua Lipa's unmistakable flair for crafting pop anthems that command the dance floor while resonating deeply with the heartbeat of a generation. Dua has us dancing again like we just experienced music for the first time. We give it a 9.5/10.

Training Season Lyrics:

[Verse 1]

Are you

Someone that I can give my heart to?

Or just the poison that I'm drawn to?

It can be hard to tell the difference late at night

Play fair

Is that a compass in your nature?

Or are you tricky 'cause I've been there?

And, baby, I don't need to learn my lesson twice

[Pre-Chorus]

But if you really wanna go there

You should know I

[Chorus]

Need someone to hold me close

Deeper than I've ever known

Whose love feels like a rodeo

Knows just how to take control

When I'm vulnerable

He's straight talking to my soul

Convеrsation overload

Got me feeling vertigo

[Post-Chorus]

Arе you somebody who can go there?

'Cause I don't wanna have to show ya

If that ain't you, then let me know, yeah

'Cause training season's over

(Training season's over)

[Verse 2]

I tried

To see my lovers in a good light

Don't wanna do it just to be nice

Don't wanna have to teach you how to love me right

I hope

It hits me like an arrow

Someone with some potential

Is it too much to ask for?

[Pre-Chorus]

Who understands I

[Chorus]

Need someone to hold me close

Deeper than I've ever known

Whose love feels like a rodeo

Knows just how to take control

When I'm vulnerable

He's straight talking to my soul

Conversation overload

Got me feeling vertigo

[Post-Chorus]

Are you somebody who can go there?

'Cause I don't wanna have to show ya

If that ain't you, then let me know, yeah

'Cause training season's over

[Bridge]

Can you compete? Now is your time

Run when you hear that whistle blow

Are you on my team or stuck on the sidelines

Waiting for someone to tell you to go?

For someone to tell you to go

[Pre-Chorus]

You should know I

[Chorus]

Need someone to hold me close

Deeper than I've ever known

Whose love feels like a rodeo

Knows just how to take control

When I'm vulnerable

He's straight talking to my soul (If that ain't you, then let me know, yeah)

Conversation overload

[Outro]

'Cause training season's over

'Cause training season's over

Training season's over

Training Season, Music Video: