Rating: *****
Kylie Minogue’s last album, 2018’s Golden, was a curveball, and saw the music icon veer from her signature brand of ‘pop precision’ for a country-inspired LP characterised by introspective, self-penned lyrics and a Nashville-oriented sound.
The record was a critical and commercial smash, topping charts worldwide, and saw a revived interest in Kylie – whose previous album, Kiss Me Once, stalled short of becoming a fan favourite and drew criticism for its often repetitive, over-produced offerings.
If Golden gave Kylie a clean slate then her 42-track Step Back in Time retrospective and record-breaking headline slot at Glastonbury gave the star the perfect opportunity to revisit her pop roots – which she embraces wholeheartedly on her latest offering DISCO.
The LP kicks off with current single Magic, proving that after 30+ years and 15 albums, Kylie is still at the top of her game.
When she asks, “Do you believe in magic?,” it’s less a lighthearted musing and more a teasing premonition of what’s to come – by the end of DISCO, you will believe in magic.
Sonically, the album brings to life that fabled ‘galactic disco’ we heard so much about at the start of this era and enjoyed a glimpse at in the music videos for Magic and lead track Say Something – not forgetting the promo imagery, which accompanies the LP so perfectly.
DISCO is packed with moments of greatness; Supernova lives up to its name as a glorious disco explosion, while Real Groove commands you to get up and dance. Dancefloor Darling is already a standout before that tempo change.
Those hoping for camp ‘70s throwbacks will no doubt gravitate towards tracks like Last Chance and Where Does The DJ Go?, along with promo single I Love It, each of which throws up influences from Donna Summer to Olivia Newton-John, via Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive and Studio 54 – both of which are name-checked, of course.
But what’s striking is the way in which Kylie – who co-wrote all 12 tracks (16 on the deluxe edition) – and her producers manage to incorporate all of those muses into an album that’s strong, cohesive and fun – but in no way gimmicky.
Even Celebrate You, arguably the cheesiest track on the record, doesn’t cheapen the offering in any way. In fact, you’ll be pressed to find a song worth skipping here.
2020 may have been rife with challenges but Kylie’s 15th album comes just in time to help us dance through the darkness and back into the light. DISCO is packed with upbeat, care-free ’70s inspired dance music – and, frankly, that’s just what we needed right now!
DISCO is available November 6th
