Today saw Kylie unleash the second weapon in her X single arsenal, as Wow finally hit the shops with a physical CD release. The song has been languishing around the Top 20 for a few weeks now, even before it was officially confirmed as a single, after she performed it on the X Factor final at Christmas.
Returning to her roots, the influence of 2002’s Fever album is clear, the new track sounding like previous hit Love at First Sight, 2008 style. From the moment it bounces into life, it’s a joyous, happy, and effervescent track, and a highlight from the long player with which Kylie is touring later in the year.
The video is one of the best for a while, too. With Doctor Who meets Sarah Brightman I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper meets Pet Shop Boys Minimal styling; it’s infused with bright costumes and brighter neon backdrops. Kylie even wears a very space-age white bobbed wig.
The new chart formats mean that infinite remixes are available, and as well as CD releases, a plethora of downloads can be had, with iTunes selling at least three EPs. A quick listen on the Apple download service tonight ascertained that the bonus tracks Do It Again, Cherry Bomb, and Carried Away are almost better than the single itself.
But of course, all this means that the super fan like me will be seriously out of pocket, because we have to buy everything…
And it’s made worse by the fact that Wow hasn’t been chosen for release on the continent. In Europe, In My Arms is the single of choice. Slightly edgier, and no doubt cooler, it could easily be a track to relaunch Kylie in the US. The video reflects this too, and shot at the same time as Wow, features a very eighties-looking Kylie wearing some very Grace Jones-like sunglasses, and singing in what appears to be a Tardis.
As with Wow, physical releases have been made available, with two digital bundles and iTunes ‘exclusives’ following. Both singles are also released on 12â€? picture discs for vinyl lovers and collectors. It is getting to the point now where buying a single will cost more than the album from which it came.
It remains to be seen whether the physical releases of Wow will send it to the top of the charts, as it’s been hovering around for so long now, but both territory singles deserve to do well. Camp Kylie must be hoping that any success the songs have, bode well for the KylieX2008 tour which rolls into Europe in time for the summer.