Dua Lipa, “Radical Optimism.”

Radical Optimism, the third album by Dua Lipa, is an ode to hopeless romantics, a recognition of the frustration and repetition of yearning and disappointment, and a recognition that in the end it’s the journey of self-realization that’s the ultimate key. This latest work by the queen of the dance floor doesn’t abandon that sound, but presents it in a new light. Everything feels a bit more organic: more analog instruments, fewer synths and a feeling that the she’s right there with you.

The opener, “End of an Era,” starts in a very different place from where the album ends up. Dua Lipa sings of finding a true love and giving up songs of loneliness and heartbreak, ending a stage of her life.

“One chapter might be done/ God knows I had some fun/ A new one has just begun,” Dua Lipa sings.

But it turns out the sentiment is fleeting. Dua Lipa offers a more sarcastic narrative voice toward the end of the track, poking fun at herself for the continual feeling that she’s found the true person she’s looking for. “Houdini” and “Training Season” turn that sentiment on its head.  These anthems are all about self-empowerment and a warning shot that the singer’s potential suitors will need to step up their game if they even want a chance. Both are upbeat and danceable.

“Are you somebody who can go there?” Dua Lipa asks.

“These Walls” again shifts the perspective to a fading situationship and two lovers growing further apart. The mid-tempo bop takes on a bass-heavy acoustic stomp.

“If these walls could talk/ They’d tell us to break up,” she sings.

The song is representative of the sound of much of Radical Optimism. Lipa trades the bombastic anthemic pop of Future Nostalgia for in-the-pocket jams with more nuance and variety. “Whatcha Doing” locks into a funky groove, Dua Lipa playing it cool with her smokey vocals carrying the moment. The rhymes roll of her tongue effortlessly on the swagger-heavy track.

“French Exit” is an ode to quietly leaving the party early, using it as a metaphor for ending a short-lived relationship without saying goodbye. While this isn’t a concept album, it can be considered one given the deep analysis it gives to love and relationships. “Illusion” is classic dance-floor Dua Lipa: a full-on club anthem with a message of resilience and self-empowerment. She then picks up steam as the album moves along with the rousing “Falling Forever” and “Maria.” The latter has a roving bass line and Spanish guitar parts.

“When loves comes young you take it for granted,” she sings. “I’m better too for the ones I have lost.”

The only subdued moment comes on  “Anything For Love,” which starts as an intricate and beautiful piano ballad. Dua Lipa seems to reach a point of frustration in waiting for a lover to change their ways to live up to their potential. Like much of the rest of the album, her singing is crisp. The song is just longer than two minutes, but it again captures the “recording studio energy,” with some of background conversations and the singer’s side comments.

Everything comes full circle on “Happy For You,” a congratulatory note to a former lover who’s found someone new. It feels like a mature closing to a personal journey that plays out over the course of an album. Her message is concise, hits all the right notes and keeps up the moment for one of pop’s superstars.

Follow writer Mike DeWald at Twitter.com/mike_dewald.