Kylie Minogue - Golden album review

May 29th, 2018

Kylie Minogue recently released her fourteenth studio album "Golden" and this is my review.

At first mention of Kylie going country, I was like “here we go again – Body Language 2.0” and I was afraid the album would be a disappointment but the first single, “Dancing” is just the right amount of country and dance/pop mixed up nicely.  My 11 month old daughter is MESMERIZED by the music video – whenever I need a moment of silence I put it on – works like magic and she’s too small to be judgmental so it must be good.  The Initial Talk remix of “Dancing” makes me super excited too – it’s an 80’s throwback mixed with “Dancing” and is perfect.  The music video was well done too – Kylie looks gorgeous.

The second single is “Stop Me From Falling” and there are three official versions of the song.  I have heard the album version and the new mix with Gente de Zona but not the vinyl mix.  The song is good.  The live concert promo video was nice. The official music video with Gente de Zona was very well done and Kylie looks the best she’s ever looked in my opinion.  She looked amazing during Light Years and Fever but this is definitely up there.  The red dress on the cover of the single – wow.  Love the energy, the dancing.  I am impressed.

“Golden” is an anthem song.  It was released as Single #3... Kylie mentioned the bonus track “Lost Without You” as the next single - which is also an amazing.  It’s a beautiful song, and one that I feel could be very personal to her and Kylie strikes me as a die-hard romantic.  I enjoy the spoken word and poetry in it.  I’m not sure the Kylie Jenner generation would be able to relate to it or would buy it but the same could be said for “Golden”.  “Golden” is this album’s “Aphrodite” – it’s the anthem song.  I love it.  I am not a fan at all of the music video for "Golden" because it is very boring.  For such a great song, there should be more dancing, energy and excitement.

“Sincerely Yours” sounds like it was produced prior to Kylie deciding on country but it still fits nicely.  Another great song – love that it’s a love song to the fans.  Who does that nowadays?  No one except for Kylie.  I am saddened by the “need to hide for a while” “this is au revoir ... this is not the end, I’ll come back again” ... makes me sad that she’s thinking about a break or slowing down.  However, she deserves to do whatever she wants – she’s been working since she was a teenager.  I understand, its bittersweet and the song is appreciated.

I really like “Live a Little” – but the one thing that drives me nuts is how all of the songs start out slow and gradually pick up.  This song is no exception.  I think it would be a great single choice.  I love the chorus – also a powerful anthem.  I love the positivity and confidence Kylie has on this album.  This is one of my top picks on the album.

“Shelby 68” is not one I am wildly crazy about.  The sound of a car starting at the beginning of the song is Kylie’s father’s Shelby 68?  Her brother recorded it.  It’s not a terrible song and I don’t skip it but it’s not one I actively seek out.  I do skip “Radio On” but only sometimes.  The album plays well without the need to skip anything.

I like “Love” and “Raining Glitter.”

Everyone who knows me and music knows how I feel about slow songs.  I’m not a big fan of them.  However, I love “Music’s Too Sad Without You” – such a beautiful duet.  Again, I don’t think the Kylie Jenner generation would get it but maybe they would if it was put into the right movie and on a soundtrack.

And how about the bonus tracks?  Why did we put the amazing songs as bonus tracks?  I already talked about “Lost Without You”.  “Every Little Part of Me” speaks to what I just said about Kylie being a die-hard romantic.  This could be a personal song.  I love it – never skip it – the chorus is great, especially the hook at the end of the song.  I like “Rollin’” – another positive, catchy song. I love how the album ended with “Low Blow” – such a different song for Kylie and yet, it works perfectly.  I never thought I would say this but I like Country Kylie.  Not indie Kylie – we can’t agree there friend, but it sounds like we are in total agreement here.

Credit where credit is due.  Way to go BMG.  This has been the absolute best promo Kylie has had since “Fever.”  She has been non-stop months prior to album launch and is still going.  I heard that they have an 18 month promo plan for this album.  So that 4-5 singles wish you have may come true.  I followed the US promo and loved the acapella she did on that unreleased song.

Rumor has it the Sigala collaboration is going to be released in September.  Oh and Kylie said she’s performing the entire album live on tour– so we’re winning there.

If I had one request it would be to hear the tracks Kylie recorded with Karen Poole prior to deciding on country.  Also, I don’t hear too much on this album that sounds super “personal” or that relates back to Josh... I wish she would stop promoting albums as being personal as there aren’t really any songs on here that I’m like “yes, I can see she was going through something here.”  At least with “Flower” I can hear it.

Here’s looking forward to more exciting times in the “Golden” era.