Dua Lipa - Hallucinate

Music Appreciation

“Hallucinate” is a disco-house track from Dua Lipa’s second album Future Nostalgia, released on July 10, 2020, as the album’s fourth single. The song was co-written by Dua Lipa along with Frances (Sophie Frances Cooke) and SG Lewis. SG Lewis initially crafted the instrumental—originally intended for his own project—and later collaborated with Frances to shape its structure. After hearing it, Lipa joined them in the studio to finalize the track, with additional production by Stuart Price.

Musically, “Hallucinate” is anchored in disco-house, blending dance-pop, electro-swing, psychedelic, and synth-pop elements, clocking in at around 122 BPM in B♭ minor. The production features looped bass lines, crisp hi-hats, retro drum beats, and lush string embellishments, creating a playful yet energetic soundscape. Lyrics describe an overwhelming, almost delirious romantic attraction—likening intense passion to a euphoric high or “hallucination." Lipa herself referred to the track as her “festival song,” channeling the exhilaration of connection and physical chemistry. 

The accompanying animated video—directed by Lisha Tan and produced by The Mill, with additional animation by Titmouse—was created entirely during the COVID‑19 lockdown, debuting alongside the single on July 10, 2020. Inspired by the Studio 54 disco era and vintage animations, it follows a hallucinatory journey: Lipa’s animated self sniffs a flower, spirals through dreamscape sequences with goats, clowns, dancing vegetables, dolphins, skeletons, colorful cartoon characters, and even a giant disco ball.

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.themill.com/the-mill-plus/talent/directors/lisha-tan/dua-lipa-hallucinate/

https://hypebae.com/2020/7/dua-lipa-hallucinate-music-video-song-single-track-future-nostalgia-album-release-watch

https://www.stashmedia.tv/dua-lipa-hallucinate-music-video-lisha-tan/

https://ew.com/music/dua-lipa-hallucinate-video/

https://reel360.com/article/dua-lipa-gets-trippy-in-hallucinate-from-the-mill/

https://lbbonline.com/news/dua-lipa-gets-trippy-in-animated-feel-good-music-video-for-new-single-hallucinate

https://www.creativeboom.com/inspiration/dua-lipas-hallucinatory-new-music-video-by-the-mill/

https://www.animationmagazine.net/2020/07/dua-lipa-goes-fully-animated-in-hallucinate-mv-from-the-mill-titmouse/

https://dualipa.fandom.com/wiki/Hallucinate_(song)