Special

The only sad thing about Lizzo's fourth studio album is that it didn't come out weeks earlier to light up the summer even faster. "Hi motherfucker/ Did you miss me?" she leaps right in on opener "The Sign." Bouncy, sunny and glorious, it finds her touching on familiar themes: body empowerment ("I'm worth my weight"), self-confidence ("I'm still that bitch, yeah!"), dude problems ("I keep on writing these songs/ Because he keep on doing me wrong") and that one line everyone will be singing for the next year ("I got that 'oh hell no you can't get this at the store'—whoooooaaaa!"). Lizzo has called in a Who's Who of songwriters and producers to lend a hand, including mid-aughts superstar Max Martin for the title track, a blaze of R&B fire that encourages listeners to ignore the haters and remember: "In case nobody told you today/  You're special." A throw-pillow platitude for sure, but nobody pulls that off more believably than Lizzo. Gorgeous "If You Love Me" was written with English singer-songwriter Kid Harpoon, who also had a hand in Harry Styles' Harry's House—and honestly, the song wouldn't be out of place on that record, with its blending of soul and '70s Elton John vibes. On "Break Up Twice," Mark Ronson continues to traffic in retro glory, helping Lizzo channel both Dusty Springfield and Lauryn Hill—the singer borrows liberally from "Doo Wop (That Thing)"—and samples the suave "Private Number" by William Clay and Judy Bell. In fact, this is a fun record for playing "name that sample." A shout-out to her ladies, "Grrrls" nicks the carnival-like melody of the Beastie Boys' "Girls." "Naked" lifts the satiny smooth groove of Kool and the Gang's "Summer Madness." Layering on super funk bass, disco shimmer and—of course—a celebratory flute bridge, "About Damn Time" also weaves in a piano sample from "Hey DJ" by the World's Famous Supreme Team. It's a song made for roller-skating—and the carefree, self-assured lyrics might even convince you that's a good idea: "Oh, I'm not the girl I was or used to be/ Uh, bitch, I might be better." Soul-queen closer "Coldplay," meanwhile, puts an elfin spin on that band's "Yellow" and cribs the cool yacht-rock piano from "Sudden Death" by Quelle Chris & Chris Keys. Lizzo delves into some '80s fun, too: Hyper-beat "2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)" could be a workout anthem from that era, while "Everybody's Gay" is delicious dance-floor cheese á la Midnight Star. But go ahead and get ready to be sick of "Birthday Girl," because you're going to hear it so much for the next decade. It's pretty savvy to write a new spin on a happy-birthday song, even more so to make it just for the ladies, and brilliant to go staccato on the chorus—"Is it your birthday girl/ Let's celebrate it"—so anyone can sing along. © Shelly Ridenour/Qobuz