Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit
Lizzo has released her first song in two years and is introducing a new sound. Gone is the ego-boosting disco positivity of her Special era and in its place is a jangly, radio friendly indie rock sound. “Love In Real Life” is filled with fuzzy guitar riffs and agile drums. It’s a surprising pivot that feels aligned with an earlier wave of the indie sleaze moment: think the first Kings of Leon album or The Strokes if they were a little perkier and singing about dancing like a thot.
Produced by Blake Slatkin and Ricky Reed, Lizzo’s new song arrives ahead of an album of the same name. The lyrics kind of reference the change in sound (she sings “It’s only rock and roll” at one point) but largely set the narrative for Lizzo’s return; chiefly that she has been offline, going to the club, and ignoring the haters.
The real world and online world merged in 2023 when former members of Lizzo’s team sued her. First, three former dancers sued for sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Lizzo denied the allegations, describing them as being “as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.” A second lawsuit filed the following month by a former employee who worked in Lizzo’s wardrobe department on tour was later dismissed in court.
The new song could be seen to reference this period of time, with Lizzo singing “There’s a lot of shit out there, and I feel safer in my bedroom. Close the door, hit ignore,” during the intro. Chiefly, though, it’s about hauling yourself out of bed and having a good time dancing with your friends, featuring lines like “Tequila, do your job, girl, help me change my mind” and “Flash of lights, I’m so hot.”
Like Lizzo’s older music it still sounds like it was made in the Netflix lab for maximum sync possibilities (there are enough celebs with tequila brands that one will bite) but the throwback sound is attention-grabbing at the very least. I never though I’d listen to Lizzo and think, “this is a bit like a Sheer Mag song,” that’s for sure.
“Love In Real Life” comes with a video that echoes the song title as Lizzo talks about a happier world with “no views, no likes.” It then morphs into a riff on Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video, complete with backstreet dance routines and zombie-like creatures. Check that out below.
