‘Aphrodite’ is yet another comeback album for Aussie pop star Kylie Minogue, after ‘X’, which sadly did not do all that well. It also follows ‘Body Language’ where she included a tamed hip hop style into her music.

The new work shows off all her strengths and amalgamates up-tempo, beat heavy dance tunes, with a few ballads in between. During the late 80s, Kylie managed to click with many, but with time, her tunes have faded like a pair of jeans. The plucky I should be so lucky, Locomotion or even her magical duet with Jason Donovan in Especially for You has withered away to more sophisticated pop for an adult audience. She has not slowed down and her 11^th album hopefully brings a few breathtaking pieces to remember.

Kylie takes the help of executive producer Stuart Price (Madonna's ‘Confessions’, Scissor Sisters' latest offering) to lend a helping hand in the sound stable to pull you to the dancefloor. Though Kylie has done the songwriting on three tracks namely Illusion, Too much and Looking for an Angel’, there are others who have also contributed. Assuming the title of the Greek goddess of beauty, love, and sexuality, ‘Aphrodite’ is a celebration of living, according to the 42 year old singer. The once cancer stricken diva, is not slowing down in the melody and going by her snoopy lead single All The Lovers she still has the power to counter her rivals like Lady GaGa, Madonna. An audition of Can’t beat the Feeling has a slight disco vibe that puts her in a slot not unknown to her, making almost half the album full of dance beats. 

Not very convincing lyrics, probably the reason could be as Kylie has outsourced the work to outside writers, herself chipping on just three pieces. The opener All The Lovers comes close on her previous hit ‘Slow’, though not very musically, lyrically the song says “Dance, it’s all I want to do so won’t you dance…...”  Get outta my Way is a direct hit out at her lover, giving him an ultimatum. The album title song Aphroditeis about living, Kylie finding love and searching for something more closer to her heart. So you have silly lyrics like “…..I’m fierce and I’m feeling mighty, /I’m a golden girl, I’m an Aphrodite, alright. Alright, yeah, yeah, yeah/I’m fierce and I’m feeling mighty/Don’t you mess with me, you don’t wanna fight me, alright. Alright, yeah, yeah, yeah.”Illusion written by Kylie is catchy and very melodic and talks about doubting a lover’s sincerity, with lines that go “Like the headlines of a magazine/Are you what you seem?” Kylie had better take the reins in the songwriting as she did before.

Her trademark sugar-coated vocals sound as fresh and vibrant as they were about 20 years ago. Longtime fans and newcomers alike will love her honeyed voice, though all might not race for all songs on the album. Kylie’s vocals are a lot stronger on this album than the girly higher vocals on her last couple of albums. Take a listen to Put Your Hands Up a pure DJ party piece that says just that. She cools down the dance tempo with Everything is Beautiful the closest the album comes to a ballad, co written by Tim Rice Oxley keeping his Keanne intact. The song brings out the pure essence of Kylie’s sexed-up vocals, backed by delicate instrumentation and a wonderful chorus.

Kylie has taken a turn for the better and kicks up a heavy flow syths, guitars and pianos on the album. All The Lovers once again is a classic for its impressive bass line, lush chords and a thumping dance beat when its time for the chorus. Get out of my Way is true pop dance with Kylie at her best. We don’t need to say anything more when you have a song that says it all……Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love) very infectious and a thumping party anthem. Closer has a strong euro flavored with the first few bars bringing similarities to the electric harpsichord used by ABBA in the ’70s.A far cry from her Stock Aitken Waterman days, Kylie still rocks on with the slow and feeble Looking for an Angel co written by Kylie and Stuart Price, reminds you of the music from Madonna’s Ray of Light with its violin work., and the upbeat ‘Can’t beat that Feeling’ that close the album.

The reigning pop princess may make you fall in love with her all over again, but its only till this album is playing. With Lady GaGa who seems to be playing everywhere, Kylie has got competition, and thankfully she hasn’t tried matching upto GaGa. Kylie’s glory days are long gone, and if this album has takers it will be her solid fans who have stood by her all the way. The barometer for her success is falling slowly and one hopes this album pulls things up a bit. All things considered, this album should see Kylie being a bit more commercially successful than her last two albums.

Release date: June 2010

Reviewed By Verus Ferreira