FAULT first featured Dua Lipa as one of our ones to watch for 2016 back in Issue 23. Building a fiercely loyal fanbase, we all held our breath in anticipation for what would come in the future. Now it’s 2017 and Dua is a household name from her single releases alone and with the arrival of her debut album today, we caught back up with Dua to see what’s new, what’s changed and what’s still FAULTY.

It’s finally here, is it weird to know your album is finally out?

It’s exciting and I think it’ll be weird on the day. In fact, it’s the morning after that I think will be the most crazy as it’ll be out. I’ve not been able to add to it for a little while and it’s just been really exciting to see it come together.

 

You spoke to FAULT about a year ago and your mind-set was very much in the place of “I’m free to write about anything I want so I’m going to” – has your mind-set changed since then?

Now I’m really focussing on being present and mindful in everything I do, it’s all about enjoying the journey.

 

Back then you said your FAULT was that you overwork – would you say that’s changed since then?

I’m still working hard because I love what I do although I’m not overthinking anymore and that’s something I’ve consciously made a decision to do. It’s not worth dwelling over and for me, if it feels right at the time I might as well just go for it and live in the present and then move on to the next thing.

 

What’s been your favourite moment so far?

I’ve really enjoyed being on tour and I love being able to go on tour and see different places. I just came back from southeast Asia and it’s interesting to see and amazing to find that I have an audience over there. It’s been really great.

 

Are you the same Dua when you’re on stage compared to when you’re in the studio?

I’m not; when I’m in the studio I’m more contained and a lot of emotion goes into really telling my story through my vocal and my lyrics. When I’m on stage, it’s a lot about just having fun and it all goes in waves. You start dancing, then you have a cry but we always send you home dancing again and I feel like when I’m on stage and as much as I get my emotions across I also make sure my audience is having fun. I can feed off the audience more on stage also, if they’re having a good time then I’m having a good time.

 

You’ve just released your song with Miguel also – how did that come about?

He’s always been an artist that I loved and admired for his work as a songwriter so I reached out and he was lovely and got back and said “let’s do it!”. I’ve done collaborations with artists before ever meeting them but with Miguel, I was able to form that relationship with him through writing together in the studio.

 

Through much of your career music writers have described you as “the next big thing” and we’ve all been told your album “will be great” – now we draw closer to release do you feel a lot of pressure to live up to the hype placed on you?

I feel pressure; there’s always pressure that comes with people’s expectations of you but during my career I’ve been very lucky to have people put me on their ones to watch lists and it’s helped me get to where I am but also pushed me to tell myself “I have to make sure all these people are right”. I don’t want people to look back at those articles like “oh, whatever happened to Dua?”, so yes there’s pressure to work hard to prove them and myself right.

 

What’s your plan post-release?

The day the album comes out I fly to NYC for Governor’s Ball and I’ll be there for a couple days and then I play festival season until September. From October through the end of the year I’ll have my album tour and then I’m off on tour with Bruno Mars! As crazy as it sounds, I’ve already started work on the 2^nd album and I’ll focus a bit on that in January.

 

Is writing still fluid?

I feel like so much has happened that I need to write about and when I get into the studio I just add those words to melody.

 

Favourite tongue twister?

Peter Piper Picked A Peck Of Pickled Peppers.

What is your FAULT?

The album not coming out in February, because it was completely my doing.

 

Was it the right decision?

Absolutely! I was upset, my fans were upset and it was entirely my FAULT but I’m really happy I did and because I released so many songs I’ve been able to put some new songs on the album and have it sounding brand new.

 

Dua Lipa’s self-titled debut album is out today.

Words Miles Holder

Photography Jack Alexander

Makeup Francesca Brazzo

Hair Anna Cofone