Kylie Minogue – “Tension”
Well, once again, we have a new Kylie album. This is number sixteen! Yes, 16 and it comes 35 years after number one. With the album already preceded by two fantastic singles that have caused worldwide acclaim, Kylie launches her first studio material since the completely brilliant “Disco” album of 2020 in all its fullness and many expanded and extended versions.
So pin back the ears and crank up the volume as we are promised her biggest Pop-Dance record for over a decade. We’ve been thorugh CountryKylie, DiscoKylie and now its ElectroKylie. Let’s see what she has for us…
Padam Padam
The “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” of the 2020’s with Kylie taking the global charts by storm with this, initially uncertain bop. But after a few plays “Padam Padam” really gets your heart beating. Just as it should. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hold On To Now
Superb Electro-Pop anthem that grows and gets better and better. An album standout. Long drawnout ending. A higher love. Awesome. A single and a HUGE hit awaiting. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Things We Do For Love
Yet more outstanding power Electro-Pop, angelic vocals, a Weeknd feel/vibe going on. Matches/equals “Blinding Lights”. Another OUTSTANDING track. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tension
Single two. More hardcore Dance/Pop 90’s sounding tune. See our indepth feature on this track here. ⭐⭐⭐
One More Time
Early 80’s sounds/plops/bubbles open this silky, soothing, cooling Pop bop. Balearic feel to this one. Shimmers for Summer, Autumn and Winter. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
You Still Get Me High
Another 80’s retro vibe/Weeknd feel to this track. Down-tempo. Ballad like blaster. Stops/Starts in freestyle and without apology. Surely not another hit in the making…? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hands
Has a “One Boy Girl” feel to it. Rapping rapper. Feels a bit out of place compared to the tracks that precede it. A B side/reject tune. ⭐⭐
Green Light
Has a 70’s Earth Wind and Fire/Shalamar groove going on with this tune. Sultry sax as well! How rare for a Kylie song these days (Love “The World Still Turns”). ⭐⭐⭐
Vegas High
Back on the retro/synth Pop of earlier tracks, sadly does not peak and go anywhere spectacular to make this an appropriate sound for her own Vegas residency. ⭐⭐
10 Out Of 10
Initial ‘teaser track’ to open the “Tension” era. Fulfilled the gap between her Years & Years collaboratons. See our indepth feature on this track here. ⭐⭐⭐
Story
Another slower, down-tempo tune follows on from “You Still Get Me High”. It’s ok but not sensational. Sadly. ⭐⭐
Love Train
How weird. This is definitely a B side tune. There were better songs recorded for this album but not used. ⭐⭐
Just Imagine
An album tune proper. Great vocals and solid production. Much better than what we’ve heard recently. Almost another “Lost Without You“. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Somebody To Love
Back to the 80’s/Retro vibe for the final sombre fling. Cooler than cool and hotter than hot in measured measures. Sublime with a capital S. Another great album-proper tune. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hmm. Bit of a mixed bag for Kylie is this. It’s Pop for sure and her first real collection since “Aphrodite“, although it favours the “Kiss Me Once” era too close as a part two of that album. “Tension” is strong and memorable in places but falls short in others, particularly towards the end of the album, although others would disagree I am sure. Nevertheless, “Tension” is guaranteed to be a big hit having waited so long since the last album. Perhaps the wait was just not that worthwhile as Kylie has demonstrated in her two previous recordings for BMG Rights Management.
The bonus deluxe edition adds two very good tracks to the ranks which lifts “Tension” into a much better place. “Drums” is an outstanding Kylie song that surely deserves its place on the album proper. Kylie beats her drum hard with this track, while the angelic “Heavenly Body” slips effortlessly into the “One More Time” league of tunes and is sublime.
“Tension” continued Kylie’s run of chart success with her current label and registered an eighth number one album in Australia and a ninth chart topper in the UK a week on from its release. Further top ten positions were registered in many other countries where the album has even out performed its two predecessors giving Kylie her highest and best charting album for many years! The album debuted at No.21 in America, her highest charting since “Aphrodite” some thirteen years earlier.
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