Album Review: Barbie The Album

By Blaire Bussey

Music Journalist

This summer, there is pink everywhere you look. Whether you are at the grocery store, watching television, or just scrolling through your favorite social media feed, you have probably heard the news: the long-awaited Barbie movie is finally out in theaters, as of July 21.

The film has garnered a lot of buzz with its star-studded cast, but we are here today to discuss something equally as impressive and almost just as highly anticipated, the movie’s soundtrack, otherwise known as Barbie The Album. From Tame Impala’s electronic interlude “Journey to the Real World” to Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice’s hit song “Barbie World,” this album will have listeners everywhere in their own Barbie worlds living their perfect pink fantasy.

To kick this off, I would first like to discuss Lizzo’s “Pink” and Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night,” both modern pop anthems in their own right. If one was to casually listen to either of these songs, at first listen they might not understand the more empowering and even emotional messages held by the songs.

In “Pink,” Lizzo starts the second verse by saying “What you wearing?” and then finishes the line by singing “Dress or suit? / Either way that power looks so good on you.” It is really special that Lizzo starts that line in a speaking tone instead of singing it. By speaking that first part of the verse, it breaks the barrier between the listener and the singer, making the listeners feel included in the Barbie phenomenon, showing everyone that anyone can be Barbie.

While “Pink” and “Dance The Night” both share amazing vocals layered with energetic pop production, I want to take this chance to discuss Dua Lipa’s lyrics. The song seems to take place in the backdrop of a rocky romantic relationship, but Dua Lipa shows no worry about that outcome.

With lyrics like “Even when the tears are flowin’ like diamonds on my face,” Dua Lipa illustrates what it is like to be a woman in an emotionally out-of-touch age. Often women are told they cannot be held in the same esteem as men because they are emotional and irrational. However, by comparing tears to diamonds, the hardest known mineral on Earth, Dua Lipa shows that there is a toughness even to women’s sorrow, that there is grit to our sadness.

Lastly, I would also like to discuss Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” a hauntingly beautiful and tragic song. The song itself is not jam-packed with lyrics to the brim. I think what I appreciate about this song is that it packs a punch without saying very much at all.

Eilish is not tripping over herself trying to say something profound; she simply said what was on her mind and what she was feeling in simple terms that everyone can understand.  With lyrics such as “I was an ideal / Looked so alive, turns out I’m not real / Just somethin’ you paid for / What was I made for?”, this song could have anyone crying in the first minute alone. This song is not full of tricks or fun hooks, it simply gives the listener space to feel what they are feeling.

In conclusion, Barbie The Album is packed with new summer hits. It has everything from feel-good pop anthems to deeply sad tracks, and they all have a lot to say. You won’t find a need to switch playlists when you queue up Barbie The Album!