Pop enthusiasts were set into a complete frenzy when Australian dance goddess Kylie Minogue announced the release of her 12th studio album, Kiss Me Once, last year. Following a long, awful, four-year wait, Minogue fans were treated to the effort's catchy lead single "Into The Blue" and early reviews of the album recalling the edge of 2007s X and the soft vocals of her last full release, Aphrodite. Combine two of her most memorable eras and the new finished product should immediately please all listeners.
With assistance from the likes of Jay-Z, Sia, Enrique Iglesias and Pharrell, Minogue effortlessly steps back into her electro-pop comfort zone with an 11-track album that is filled with dance-worthy, infectious pop tracks with a dose of glitter and attitude for good measure. While most artists stick to Top 40 trends that guarantee a worldwide hit, Minogue has released a collection of songs that showcases her true essence as a recording artist, a sexual collection that divas and pop lovers will be blasting for the next coming weeks.
Lead single "Into the Blue" brought Minogue back into the spotlight after the release of fun, yet not really true singles, "Skirt" and "Timebomb". The uptempo, electronic pop ballad of strength and perseverance immediately evokes a positive emotion as the artist's gorgeous vocals encompass the listener. The applaud-worthy dance number's not one, but two, choruses soar and made the track a catchy opener for an album many have anticipated.
"Million Miles" successfully deals with the taboo issue of promiscuity as Minogue sings of sexual encounters a million miles away from her lover. The fast-paced pop track is carried by the artist's seductive, sex kitten-sounding, vocal performance and age-appropriate lyrics Minogue has never shied away from. "When you touch my body, I go weak, but you're so hard for me to reach," she sings before proclaiming to be sexually invincible.
Written and produced by Pharrell Williams, "I Was Gonna Cancel" was labeled as the album's most "interesting" creation. Carrying the funky, disco sound that can be found on many of Williams' releases, Minogue contemplates calling it quits before ultimately getting out of bed and facing the day with her head high. The song is a departure from anything the pop songstress has recorded before, but it works to an extent. Daft Punk-production, catchy chorus, strong vocals? Check.
The disco-funk inspired tracks keep rolling out as "Sexy Love" shows Minogue singing of the desire to make her lover feel as if they are having the time of their life, looking sexy in her bed. If anyone knows how to maintain the classy image of sex and pleasure, Minogue is certainly the woman. The vibe is light and fun yet still mature and the grooving production only highlights the artist's vocals instead of overpowering them.
Apparently no recent album is complete without a contribution from Sia, but for "Sexercize", the go-to girl in pop gets a bit more risque for Minogue. "I'll make you wait for more, Make you beat to the core, Tomorrow you'll be sore," the artist passionately sings with a dose of interesting, hip-hop flavor. Sia is known for her soaring ballads, however, this pairing seems like a better fit, one that stands out from the crowd for all good reasons.
There's a reason why "If Only" reminds me of the material found on Tegan & Sara's 2013 critically-acclaimed Heartthrob. It could be because it describes the typical subject matter of love and desire, but it's mainly because the track is a piece of modern pop that is easy to swallow and is still simple enough to take seriously as lyrical and vocal merit are present on a song that keeps the album moving down the right path.
"Les Sex" is another delicious, sophisticated pop track created by the minds of MNDR (see "Feed Me Diamonds"). The electronic dance track incorporates intriguing snyths once the twinkling intro subsides to make way for more adult content. Verses are erotic and powerful while the chorus is so silly that it is actually enjoyable and brings together the carefree nature of the song. With its pop sound and classic Minogue flavor, this could be a future single.
Songwriter Sia pops up once more for the album's title track as Minogue sings of a love that has withstood everything in its way. "Kiss me once and you will watch me fall, kiss me twice and I will give you my all," the singer proclaims as Sia has crafted a song that, just like their other pairing, sounds to be right up Minogue's alley, not coming off forced, complicated or cheap. "Kiss Me Once" is a album title track that deserves to be played.
Minogue calls on the trademark sultry vocals of Enrique Iglesias for the touching duet, "Beautiful", a soft, slow ballad where the two artists show actual musical chemistry. Unlike traditional duets, there is no order of delivery on the verses, both artists accompany each other for the ride as Minogue's vocals remain dominant as Iglesias beautifully assists on a song where they sing of being absolutely lovestruck. It's a cute pop ballad, a nice fit.
The album closes with "Fine", a track that seems to follow up on the advice of the opening track. Supported by addictive, pulsating beats, the dance track is an energetic, sincere, mature piece that finishes the album on a very high note. "You got it all, but you don't feel complete, even the sweetest things are bittersweet," Minogue sings before the optimistic chorus brilliantly comes through and begins to erase the gray away.
Kiss Me Once is Kylie Minogue's twelfth studio album! While other artists at this point in their career tend to release a lackluster effort, trying to keep up with the modern trends in music, Minogue remains true to who she is as an artist: a legendary dancefloor queen who is known for her uptempo, sultry pop jams. She certainly delivers with the new release and will please fans and anyone else in the process. Her lovely, unique vocals are present and lively on every track whether she is singing of a lustful night in the bedroom or offering a message of encouragement. She brings her "A" game once again and adds to her already packed discography of enjoyable pop tunes. She's a goddess for a reason. The album receives a deserved 90%.
Tracks to hear: "Million Miles", "Sexercize", "Feels So Good", "Les Sex" and "Fine"
Head over to The Guardian to stream the full album now!
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