Kylie Minogue : "Tension"

First time I have sat down to consume one of her albums in a single sitting for review. This is Kylie's 16th album. 15 song writers and 9 Producers which is more than legit rock bands , but these days  pretty par for the course when it comes to pop music, and more respectable than artists like Doja Cat and Lizzo who have over 25 of each.  Minogue's brand of dance music is more complex than what either of those artists are doing. She also has more of a European fan base, with more progressive tastes. The most remarkable thing, might be also due in part to her producers, but Minogue, does not sound like she is 55. Her voice is light and high almost like her barely 20-something pop counterparts in the States. House is a strong element to her music that can be felt on the opening song. 

"Hold On to the Now" sounds like if the Spice Girls went into the future and given the secret to what would make pop music work in 2023. Does not sound like her vocal performance is as inspired as the first song. "Things We Do For Love" nods in the direction of Madonna's influence on the genre, though it has a very youthful hook to it. The title track has a synth line that sounds like it was pulled from a 90s gay club. Which I think finds her appealing to queens old and young. I wonder how many are going to speculate how she drank vocally from the fountain of youth. This album is like hearing the portrait of Dorian Gray tell you age is nothing but a number which seems to be proving true for her. The carefree "One More Time"  even with all the songwriters aboard feels like filler. 

"You Still Get Me High" sounds like her producers have been listening to Taylor Swift. It gets supper peppy for the kids on the chorus, which makes it harder to take the song as seriously. The same thing could be said for the rapping going into "Hands". Though in the moments on the verses she sings on a lower voice, the closer I think we are to hearing what she sounds like beyond the smoke and mirrors. "Green Light' comes the closest to bringing back more of a disco sound. This is aided by the sax solo that flirts with the song.  It also might be the albums best song.  She wants to pretend the more commercial Euro-House sound of the 90s is the way to go on  "Vegas High" and ends up sounding like Aqua. 

"10 Out of 10" is most likely playing on the Sirrus radio of most Hair Salons today. If this song is not playing at the next gay bar you go ask for your money back, since there has not been many gay anthems this year and this feels like the one you have been waiting on. "Story" closes the album and once again there is the sense the was written for a much younger artist, but Kylie proves she can still get her voice up there. It sounds like this is being doing without too much studio magic. The deluxe edition came with a second disc, but for the purpose of this review I am just reviewing this album presented on this disc.  I will give this album a 9, it's much better than the new Doja Cat if we are to compare pop music, though is still the part of the big entertainment industry and is rolled off the assembly line with a rainbow gloss is the gay album that surpasses Sam Smith's album in every way.