It’s been possibly the most-hyped, most-talked about, and most-anticipated pop album of recent times. And, it seems to be available in as many formats to match its numerical title. What am I talking about? As you can see from the picture above, it’s Kylie’s ‘comeback’ long-player, ‘X’.
You can add most-leaked album to the above list, too. As early as the spring, leaked demos where scattered all over the Internet, and excited fans were downloading them at such a rate that if Parlophone could turn those hits into sales, they would undoubtedly eclipse the current number four album chart slot of ‘X’ proper.
The net was abuzz with activity, and chat rooms and music forums groaned under the weight of fans’ posts, good and bad. Even eBay saw CDs stuffed to their limit of new Kylie tracks, just waiting to be snapped by devoted Kylie worshippers.
And yes, some of them didn’t escape my desktop, although I cottoned on too late, and found ‘this file has been removed’ warnings at a few of the download locations.
Then there were the denials. It didn’t matter if the tracks had leaked, because a few of them weren’t Kylie anyway, but a session singer that Parlophone had used to demo the songs. This jury’s still out on that one…
And as for the formats, boy it’s complicated. The standard CD is available in a shiny rounded-corner super jewel case, while the special edition comes with a DVD with a track-by-track interview by the lady herself.
And both of those are before the download collections. The iTunes pre-order version comes with two bonus tracks, ‘Magnetic Electric’ and ‘White Diamond’ (Piano Version), while the regular iTunes package comes only with ‘Magnetic Electric’ as a bonus track.
Some Japanese pressings come with lavish packaging, while in some markets it is the first EMI release to come in the yet-to-take-off USB stick version. (It is a very cute USB stick, though.) See what I mean about being available in almost 10 formats, paying homage to its title?
Anticipation, denials, formats, hype, and leaks aside, how does Kylie’s first original studio album for four years fare? Well, for a kick-off, it’s better and much more cohesive than its predecessor ‘Body Language’, although that did have its moments.
But, anyone wanting comeback Kylie to reflect on her tumultuous couple of years will be disappointed. Only two tracks come close to mentioning events from 2005. The rest is electro-Kylie doing what she does best.
Reviews from some quarters have remarked on her ‘absence’ from ‘X’, with little of her personality shining through, and lots of electronic voice tinkering. To be fair, they have a point, but surely we couldn’t have expected anything that deep from Miss Minogue?
Fiercely guarded and private, this album was never going to reveal her deepest thoughts. It’s just joyous, electronic, danceable pop. Oh, and, her best album for quite some time. Here’s the full track rundown:
2 Hearts
Glam-rock tinged opener and first single that recently announced Kylie was back. But, was it that bad a choice for the ‘comeback’ single? I don’t think so. It had me hooked within minutes. And that video wouldn’t go with anything else.
Like A Drug
The second track, and an electro-stomper that supposedly pays reference to Visage’s ‘Fade to Grey’ from 1981. I couldn’t hear the resemblance at first, but toward the end of the song when the vocals are stripped down, the bass line and chords are clear.
In Your Arms
This is a shortened version of one of the many leaked tracks. A cymbal or high-hat-lead intro bursts into an electronic-pulsed and 1980s-sounding track that almost stops at the start of each chorus, before searing into life again.
Speakerphone
Harsh critics have likened this to Steven Hawking talking to his answerphone. But, what do they know, anyway? A harp at the start plays tricks, and leads into a beat-driven bass line, with an admittedly very vocoded Kylie singing over it. One of the handful of songs that I thought I wouldn’t like, but it surprised me, and I do.
Sensitized
Forgiving the US spelling, this track is another one of the leaks. Based heavily on a sample of Serge Gainsbourg’s ‘Bonnie and Clyde’, it’s a slower, and some would say sexy number. Sashaying along at a slower pace, it reminds me of Kylie riding the giant jellyfish on her recent ITV1 TV special.
Heart Beat Rock
Calvin Harris-produced, and again, not one of my favourites on first listen. But it is a grower, and its hip-hop/R&B and twisted electronic vibe find their way into your brain. Stops mid-song too, which is unexpected.
The One
This is one of ‘X’s stand out highlights, and must be the next single. Yes, it propels Kylie back to gay icon of epic proportions, but it’s none the worse for that. Reminiscent of a modern-day PWL slice of pop perfection, the searing, simple and repetitive chorus calls you to love Kylie, as she is ‘the one.’ On evidence of this, everyone should do.
No More Rain
The first track on the album to reference her cancer recovery, the lyrics reference Kylie’s thoughts about what it must feel like to go back on stage. Another highlight – although of a gentler nature – references to Madonna’s ‘Ray of Light’ can be heard, and even All Saints’ ‘Pure Shores’. The multi-Kylie overdubs and harmonies please.
All I See
I was ready to not like this one, too. Kylie does R&B? Not normally a good recipe. But, here, she excels. Reminding me of TLC, other critics have referenced Janet Jackson. Whoever inspired it doesn’t matter. It’s good, and Kylie makes it her own.
Stars
Another popular leaked and YouTubed track, I can hear shades of Human League in this one’s bass line. With a catchy chorus and ear-filling sound, it’s another winner.
Wow
Showcased on The Kylie Show, at first listen this one sounds like something that a near 40-year old woman shouldn’t be singing. Other reviewers have likened it to Madonna’s ‘Holiday’ from 1985, but I think it’s more a ‘Love At First Sight’ for 2007. Another highlight.
Nu-di-ty
It’s hip-hop Kylie again. I didn’t like this at first, but it has grown on me. With its almost stuttering ad vocals and whoops, it could be a harder-edged sister track to ‘Heart Beat Rock’. Still not a favourite though. I’d have preferred bonus iTunes track ‘Magnetic Electric’ (more of which later) instead.
Cosmic
Along with ‘No More Rain’, ‘Cosmic’ is the second of Kylie’s self-penned efforts, and together with that song, one of the most normal musical moments on ‘X’. With no voice wizardry in sight, it relies on its fluttering drumbeats and wavering strings to pull in the listener. Weak on first listen and stronger on subsequent ones, its fastly sung chorus lines add to the gentler feel.
Rippin’ Up The Disco
Hidden away on the Internet, and accessed by inserting the album CD and following the download web links, this is another electro-stomper. Catchy, with pulsating a bass line and overdubbed vocals, it’s another track, which should maybe have been included on the disc proper.
Magentic Electric (iTunes bonus track)
This too should have been included on the regular CD package. With a fizzy, fuzzy, buzzy bass line, a bit of electronic voice trickery and a catchy chorus with searing vocals, it’s one of the highlights from the ‘X’ sessions, for which at least 40 tracks were reportedly recorded.
White Diamond (iTunes bonus track – pre-order only)
This is of course, a down-tempo piano version of the Scissor Sisters electro-belter that replaced ‘Giving You Up’ on the Showgirl: Homecoming’ tour. It works much better as a torch song, too, with Kylie’s vocals to the fore. Promoting the film ‘White Diamond’ it’s a nod to pre-treatment and pre-‘X’ Kylie, and I guess it was only included here to promote the film’s DVD release. No matter though; it’s a highlight.
That’s it, then. Or is it? I think the ‘X’ story has only just begun. It will be interesting to see how Kylie translates the songs into next year’s ‘KylieX2008’ tour, but I feel this album might not be quite the disappointment some reviewers say it is.
Yes, I do wonder how long an almost 40-year-old woman can song about dancing, but it never stopped Madonna, did it? Surrounding herself with the producers of the moment was always going to allow Kylie to produce something slick, too.
It’s a shame ‘Lose Control’ didn’t make the cut, though, and a release of out-takes from the ‘X’ sessions must surely be on the cards.
As that cover picture with a knowing look shows, maybe Kylie does know what she’s doing. After all, the anticipation, denials, formats, hype, and leaks aside, ‘X’ marks the spot of one of the best musical moments of Kylie’s career.
It’s bouncy, bright, effervescent, and shiny pop music at its best. The electronic style still suits her well, and ‘X’ could be a return to the early days of her post-2000 career resurgence, which, for someone who has just celebrated her twentieth year in music, can be no mean feat.
Welcome back Kylie.
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