Mastering the "Cool Girl" Vocal Style
Released in 2018, Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa's "One Kiss" quickly became a global deep house anthem. Unlike power ballads that require massive lung capacity, this song demands control, tone, and groove. It sits squarely in the lower register, characteristic of Dua Lipa's Alto voice.
The challenge here isn't hitting high notes; it's about maintaining a sultry, almost spoken-word quality while locking into the 124 BPM rhythm. Let's break down how to get that perfect club-ready vocal.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Breath
Many singers run out of air during the chorus because they exhale too much on the word "Kiss." Keep your breath support steady and engage your diaphragm to sustain the phrases without gasping.
Phase 1: The Verses (Low & Conversational)
The song starts in a comfortable range (around A3). The delivery should be deadpan and relaxed. Dua Lipa barely opens her mouth wide here, creating a darker resonance.
The Trap: Because the notes are low, singers often drop their pitch *too* low, going flat. Keep a slight smile (the "inner smile" technique) to keep the pitch sharp even when singing in your chest voice.
Phase 2: The Chorus (The Hook)
"One kiss is all it takes..." matches the bassline. This section is repetitive, which means any deviation in pitch becomes obvious. You need to be rhythmic and percussive with your consonants.
- Diction: Enunciate the 'K' in Kiss and the 'F' in Falling. The beat is driving the song, and your voice is a percussion instrument here.
- Tone: Add a little "breathiness" to the mix. Think of sighing the notes rather than shouting them.
Phase 3: The Bridge (Vibe Check)
The lyrics "Something in you... lit up heaven in me" move slightly higher (touching C5 in ad-libs). This is where you can open up the volume slightly, but don't belt. Keep it contained to fit the "Deep House" genre style.
Focus on the groove. If you drag behind the beat, the song loses its energy. Practice with a metronome or the visual beat counter in the Singing Coach AI app.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main melody stays relatively low, peaking around C5 in the ad-libs, but most of the song sits comfortably between G3 and A4.
It might feel muddy in your lower range. You can use the Singing Coach AI app to transpose the track up +2 or +3 semitones to make it shine in your voice.
Dua uses a "chest-dominant" mix. Don't flip into head voice. Keep the sound vibrating in your chest and focus on a warm, dark vowel placement.
