As over-the-top and stuffed with star power as its namesake film,
Barbie: The Album
is a pop extravaganza that matches the 2023 global cinema phenomenon. Produced and curated by pop maestro
Mark Ronson
, the set features the talents of all your favorite early-2020s pop stars.
Dua Lipa
(starring as Mermaid Barbie in the movie) contributes an appropriately dancefloor-friendly disco throwback bop, "Dance the Night," which topped charts across the planet, while
Charli XCX
injects her hyperpop energy into "Speed Drive," which interpolates
Toni Basil
's cheerleader chant from "Mickey."
Ava Max
and
Sam Smith
add cheekiness and drama to the set with tracks that sound very much like
(in the best way possible). Fans who have seen the movie will recognize
Lizzo
's "Pink,"
Ryan Gosling
's showcase ballad "I'm Just Ken," and
Billie Eilish
's heartbreaking, self-aware "What Was I Made For?" And although
Aqua
themselves are not present here, "Barbie World" samples that '90s classic with tough verses traded between
Nicki Minaj
Ice Spice
. There's a genre for everyone as
Karol G
,
Tame Impala
Dominic Fike
HAIM
the Kid LAROI
Khalid
PinkPantheress
, and many more join forces to represent Barbies and Kens of all types.
is a celebration as colorful and uplifting as the movie itself, and both are highly recommended. [For fans in search of
Gosling
's beachside acoustic take on "Push" and
Brandi Carlile
's cover of
Indigo Girls
' "Closer to Fine," the deluxe "Best Weekend Ever Edition" is the place to go.] ~ Neil Z. Yeung