Lizzo has been skirting superstardom since 2015’s Big Grrrl Small World, an open- palmed slap of an album which never quite hit the mainstream.

Single Good As Hell followed, dedicated to self-love, a theme – alongside body positivity and championing sexuality in its myriad forms – to which Lizzo often returns.

Now with the release of album Cuz I Love You, the force of nature from the Minneapolis music scene is about to hit the big time, scoring a slot at Glastonbury. We got a sneak listen to the album everyone will be talking about. 

1. CUZ I LOVE YOU

Like a bottle of pop that’s been banged around in your bag all day, the album explodes into life with this tribute to a first love. An effervescent blend of bluesy big-band, huge gospel vocals, rapping and trap beats.

2. LIKE A GIRL

I will play this feminist pop banger on loop to my two young daughters to make them feel like a world not made in their image is theirs for the taking.

3 . J U I C E

The first single. Two doorstop slices of funk filled with joy. “If I’m shiny everybody gonna shine (Yeah, I’m goals).” Yes Lizzo, you are goals.

4. SOULMATE

An unrepentant love song to yourself and never being reliant on anyone for your self-worth.

5. JEROME

A slow 12-bar blues groove telling that guy who thinks he’s all that, it’s time to do some growing up before he is deserving of anyone’s love.

6. CRY BABY

There are shades of other notable Minneapolis artist Prince in this slinky, soulful ballad – she really cuts loose with soaring, searing vocals.

7. TEMPO (FEAT MISSY ELLIOTT)

This is the trap soundtrack to that daydream you have on the morning commute where you’re quietly miming the words when the guy next to you starts finger tutting, everyone starts busting out moves and you’re heading into Tuesday like…

8. EXACTLY HOW I FEEL (FEAT GUCCI MANE)

An empowering anthem featuring the line, “Love me or hate me, I ain’t changing and I don’t give a fuck.”

9. BETTER IN COLOUR

The touches of gospel choir and sparse beats are reminiscent n places of Childish Gambino’s This Is America, but with a positive spin on the kaleidoscope of sexuality.

10. HEAVEN HELP ME

Full-on uplifting soulful gospel and intricate rapping exploring the problematic love-hate relationship we can all have with, well, love.

11. LINGERIE

Taking things low-down and dirty with an intimate, sultry end to the album and one for the end of the night, too. 

Verdict

Seldom can an artist blend so many ideas and styles into an album and pull it off with such unabashed aplomb. If ever there was a time for a singer with a mighty voice who could span the globe with a message of love and positivity (while also twerking and playing the flute) then this it. Lizzo, it’s time to shine. 

Cuz I Love You is out on 19 April; Lizzo plays two dates in the UK in Manchester and London (25 and 26 April); lizzomusic.com 

Images: supplied