On Thursday, we were finally blessed with some more Barbie (2023) content ahead of the film’s release on July 21st.
First, it’s been revealed who will be featured on the films’ soundtrack. And the star-studded list of contributing musicians has made us even more certain that Barbie will deliver. Some of the artists listed include Charli XCX, Haim, Lizzo, PinkPantheress, and Tame Impala. You can pre-order the album (along with 8 options of colored vinyl!) here.
Dua Lipa also dropped the first single from the Barbie soundtrack on Thursday, which coincided with the film’s first full length trailer. The tune, “Dance the Night” is sparkly and upbeat, which perfectly matches the aesthetic of the trailer. The song also came with an accompanying music video, which features Dua Lipa and her dancers dressed as disco balls. There was even an appearance by the film’s director, Greta Gerwig.
Rappers Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice are set to join forces with 90s hyperpop group Aqua to put their own spin on the iconic (and aptly named) song “Barbie Girl.” Given how legendary the duo’s last collab was on “Princess Diana (Remix),” we’re sure their take on “Barbie Girl” will quickly become the song of the summer. Not to mention, Mattel originally sued Aqua (and lost) for “Barbie Girl” when it originally came out in 1997. so the fact that Aqua is now returning on the official Barbie soundtrack is pretty iconic in it’s own right
The new trailer proves that we’re in for a fun, fabulous, and potentially existential ride with Barbie. The film is inspired by the journey girls go through once they hit adolescence; Margot Robbie, who plays the titular doll, stated, “They’re funny and brash and confident, and then they just—stop. All of a sudden, she thinks, ‘Oh, I’m not good enough’.”
Barbie has been the center of myriad feminist debates since her debut in 1959. While some see Barbie as a feminist icon given her design as a woman who can do any profession she imagines (from astronaut to President), others see her as a contribution to a harmful beauty standard. It appears that Barbie is ready to address both sides of this debate, all while providing us with plenty of outrageous and heartfelt moments (and Ryan Gosling as Ken) along the way.
