Aphrodite is classic Kylie
It's hard not to fall slightly in love with Kylie Minogue's latest album, Aphrodite. Opening at number one on the UK charts, the record marks exactly 22 years since Minogue's debut.
You might think that Minogue's sound would have gotten old after two decades and 11 albums, but not so. Working with a variety of artists, including Keane's Tim Rice-Oxley and Calvin Harris, Minogue manages to stay fresh and original.
Minogue has done pop, indie, and half a dozen other genres in the past. Aphrodite is a return to fast beats and club sounds, best summed up by the first line of opener All the Lovers: 'Dance - it's all I want to do.'
Aphrodite is Minogue at her best: breathy vocals against an electronic dance background. The heartbeat pace is a backdrop for most of the songs, tying the album together neatly.
All the Lovers is perfect for setting the album's tone. The synths are both danceable and soft, a great fit for Minogue's cooing vocals. The tracks which follow feature a range of sounds, from the bubblegum cute Better than Today, to the thumping Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love), to the quieter, almost sad Illusion. While the lyrics are never adventurous, they work well with the melodies.
The songs may be varied, but the sound is classic Kylie.
