Or rather, the anticipation of her new material. Yes, I know that the story broke last week, and that I’m not the only fan who is patiently waiting (eagerly doesn’t even come close to describing it) for the first new material for four years from the first lady of pop. We’ve had the rumours, leaks, and denials, but finally, the wait is almost over, and one of the most long-awaited comebacks in pop history is nearly upon us.
I’ve documented my love for the diminutive one and her music on these pages before, but I’ve not felt this excited about anything she’s released for a long time. And of course, that’s exactly what the Kylie promotional juggernaut wants me and every other fan the world over to feel. She’s got us over a barrel, in the nicest possible way, of course.
The new single arrives first, on 12 November (or a week earlier for downloaders). Written and produced by Kish Mauve, ‘2 Hearts’ is reportedly an electro track, and is reportedly good enough to make the top of the charts, although how much of that will be down to Kylie’s two-year absence is anyone’s guess. And, judging by the cover (pictured above) depicting a very made-up Kylie, I reckon it could well be at least a little 1980s sounding…
The album ‘X’ (denoting Kylie’s 10th studio album) follows two weeks later on 26 November. A 13-track collection of collaborations with pop’s elitist writers and producers, it would be a big disappointment if the finished product wasn’t nothing less than excellent.
Long-time collaborators Guy Chambers, Cathy Dennis, Karen Poole, and Richard Stannard are all present and correct, alongside the much-reported Calvin Harris, and Cutfather. Surprisingly, tracks with Boy George, Groove Armada, Mylo, and Scissor Sisters have fallen by the glittery wayside, and fans can only hope that they turn up on singles or albums of rarities.
However, in the spirit of the feeling that music is now everybody’s, Mylo posted his two tracks ‘In The Mood For Love’ and ‘Spell of Desire’ on his myspace page, and although they have since been removed, I don’t think that I would have been the only fan to find them quickly and download them. They are still out there if you look, and look you should, as if all the ‘X’ rejected songs are as good as ‘In The Mood For Love’, then the album should really be worth waiting for.
With its soaring harmonies and choruses, it really is an electro belter, and along with the earlier leaked (and denied) and equally good ‘Excuse My French’ and ‘When The Cats’s Away’ join the album’s worth of songs that didn’t make the ‘X’ final cut. I’ve not heard ‘Lose Control’, but apparently that’s better than all of the rest of them put together…
Here’s the full track list:
2 Hearts
Like A Drug
In My Arms
Speakerphone
Sensitized
Heart Beat Rock
The One
No More Rain
All I See
Stars
Wow
Nu-di-ty
Cosmic
It all sounds good, and while ‘Speakerphone’, and ‘Wow’ are my favourites on name alone, ‘Nu-di-ty’ has an SMS-type ring to it, and suggests something rather coarse. ‘In My Arms’ has been a leaked fan favourite, too, and by releasing details so tantalisingly and slowly (and not to mention the Mylo downloads), Camp Kylie has certainly stoked the anticipation fires to be so hot, they almost hurt.
Before all that though, is the screening of the ‘White Diamond’ film, which documents how Kylie and her team take Showgirl Homecoming from rehearsals to the road first in Australia and then to the UK.
To be shown on 16 October only at selected Vue Cinemas, it will be presented in High Definition, and Dolby 5:1 digital surround sound, and should be an experience not to miss. And, finally, the film itself will be included on a DVD version of the ‘Showgirl Homecoming’ tour, due for release on 10 December.
There’s never been a more exciting time to be a Kylie fan. The next few weeks should be very interesting to say the least, and more than a little exciting…
*Thanks to Mariah Carey for the inspiration of this blog post title.
*UPDATE*, 5 October 2007: GMTV to play world exclusive of ‘2 Hearts’ video on Wednesday 10 October
*UPDATE*, 8 October 2007: Popjustice reveals Kylie ‘X’ cover