“In case no one told you today, you’re special.”

With the success of her (now Emmy-nominated) reality series Watch Out For the Big Grrrls, Lizzo seems to know her niche and the empowerment diva is ready to BRING IT for a bevy of new fans that live for her Insta live streams and TikTok updates. Positive affirmation is the bread and butter for the Lizzo (now superstar) brand.

On her fourth album, Special, Lizzo’s braggadocios lyrics are still there, but there’s an edge of camp to the celebration. It’s an outward push to turn dark thoughts of body value to empowerment anthems.

The nu-disco resurgence of the summer continues with a handful of songs that are begging you to take them to the club. Songs like “I Love You Bitch,” “Everybody’s Gay,” and “Birthday Girl” seem specifically made for the car ride to the club, full of lyrics to scream in your friend’s face to get them ready to have a good time. This is an album that refuses to let you feel bad. Feeling bad about your body? There’s a song to lift you up (“Naked”). Feeling mad at the world? There’s a song for that (“Grrrls”). Feeling nervous about that new love? There are multiple songs about that (“2 Be Loved (Am I Ready)” and “Coldplay”).

The hip-hop spitfire of early Lizzo standout “Batches and Cookies” isn’t really found on Special. Instead, this album leans more into Lizzo’s ballads and pop tendencies.

Leave the nihilism at the door, Lizzo is here to remind you that you are Special and feeling good – so drop the baggage and hit the dance floor.