Pop artist Dua Lipa has made her splash among the Top 50’s hits this past year with love songs, such as “Blow Your Mind” and “Be the One.” However, her new hit “New Rules,” is a song that will make every girl feel empowered and in control of her love life. The music video is equally as empowering and stimulating, with a surprising thought process behind the props and symbols in the video. It’s a post-breakup song, but rather than going down the typical dark path of yearning for an ex, the pop singer goes another route by reciting three rules to stick by after a breakup.
“They’re not necessarily rules I’ve been able to stick by,” Lipa admitted to Vermont Public Radio. “But [they’re] rules that I feel like it’s important to be able to tell yourself, to tell your friends… There’s a reason people break up, and it’s probably the same reason why you shouldn’t get back together.”
The video starts out with Lipa on her bed surrounded by her friends as she sings about being hung up about a boy who she knows will never love her. Then, right as she’s about to pick up the phone and call him, the bridge drops with the three simple rules.
“One, Don’t pick up the phone. You know he’s only callin’ ‘cause he’s drunk and alone.” Lipa reaches for the phone as a friend stops her and sings along.
“Two: Don’t let him in. You’ll have to kick him out again.”
As Lipa continues, she is gathered by more friends in colorful trendy outfits.
“Three: Don’t be his friend. You know you’re gonna wake up in his bed in the morning. And if you’re under him, you ain’t gettin’ over him.”
Then she runs out the room and leans on the wall for support as she sings “I’ve got new rules. I count them.” The chorus drops with a The song then progresses into a sequence where Lipa is with her friends as they comb each other’s hairs in unison. The unity of females sticking together is really emphasized with the group sticking together throughout the music video.
Another great scene is when another girl is mirroring how Lipa was acting in the beginning of the video, but this time, Lipa is the one reciting the rules confidently to the other girl, so she can get over a boy. It’s just another way of saying that women have to look out for each other.
At one point, there’s a camera angle that goes below the girls wearing trendy sunglasses and bathing suits into a pool to show the girls in the video mirroring flamingoes. No, the flamingoes weren’t added because they’re trending on Etsy and Pinterest. The flamingoes were symbolizing the idea of women protecting one another, as research shows that flamingoes stay in flocks to protect each other.
It’s definitely a song that would play in the club, but it’s also a very empowering song for women who feel like they’re not in control of their love life. More importantly, Lipa brings up a great point in that sometimes, you have to put feelings aside, despite what your heart may say. Instead, recite the rules, and remember to stick with your squad always.
To submit an original album, movie or television review, email Hilly Nguyen at opinions@cardinalpointsonline.com
