Rating – 4 1/2 stars out of 5
The US music landscape can prove to be a somewhat odd one. Nobody can really figure out why certain songs, certain albums, certain artists can’t break into the Billboard charts no matter how amazing their music may be. They could be loved overseas and yet the US radio stations and other outlets won’t even lift their finger to play the best of tunes from a given artist but will play absolute trash from another. Thankfully, in the age of streaming, it’s super easy to find those performers and those songs. But sometimes, one of those artists creates a piece so amazing that even those normal channels have to rise up and take notice. Today, we take a look at Kylie Minogue’s new album, Tension.
Kylie Minogue over the last three albums has certainly taken on a themed flavor to her music. Disco her last album was as the name implies, dancing and funk, a throwback to the 70’s. Golden was almost folky and country in nature as Kylie actually travelled to Nashville, TN and blended some of that into her music where possible. Prior to that, she also had a Christmas album which is pretty self-explanatory. It was obvious by this point that Kylie wanted to get back to an album with no restrictions, no hard set themes, and create some really good pop music that she was known for. By combining elements of disco, funk, electro, dance and modernizing her own sound (but staying true to herself at the same time), she set out to create Tension and it is simply fantastic.
Track 1: Padam Padam (2:47) –
Many artists after say a dozen albums really have a hard time producing a top ten hit. Kylie, in her sixteenth album has produced this wonder of a song which has jumped to the top of the charts. It’s simple, hypnotic and effortlessly catchy. It’s went viral, the video has millions of views on YouTube, inspired Tiktoks, been the subject of many Memes, etc. It’s straight up fun and if it wasn’t for one other song on this album, it would stay in my head almost non-stop.
What’s perhaps funny is that the first time I heard this song was actually on Sirius XM, channel 51 / BPM and it wasn’t the normal LP/Radio Mix found here. It was a mix done by Liam Pfeifer. A mix so freaking good, it’s actually better than the original song. I continued to hear that mix and then eventually the regular single showed up on pretty much every popular channel on the XM lineup.
In addition, I have heard several other mixes including the HAAi remix as well as the Jax Jones remix but Liam’s take is still the best I have listened to. I would imagine that eventually we will see a special edition of this album and I’m hoping that Liam will finally get his due on this song.
Track 2: Hold On to Now (3:58) –
For those who are familiar with Kylie’s albums not named Fever, she has this really uplifting kind of music that speak about love and fulfilling your dreams. This is exactly that kind of song. Perfect for listening in the park on a summer day and twirling around in a circle. If we actually did that sort of thing anymore. It’s a beautiful song and a wonderful listen. The only negative I could find is perhaps the outro which carries on a bit long with way too much reverb.
Track 3: Things We Do For Love (3:10) –
This cuts back to finding a really catchy tune that kinda sneaks up on you with that chorus. The chorus makes me picture Flashdance or Olivia Newton John (RIP) with some dancer having one of those moments where they are waving their hands and body everywhere until they are absolutely soaked in perspiration. It’s manic, full of energy and doesn’t stop until the final chord in the song.
Track 4: Tension (3:36) –
Sometimes a song hits you so good that you absolutely can’t stop listening to it. One of those songs for me was certainly Padam Padam but also this track which is a rare occurrence in most records. In fact, it’s my favorite one on the album. From the moment the intro plays, my head is bopping back and forth in almost perfect rhythm to the music. “Hot Like Chilieah, eah, eah” seems like a silly lyric but much like great chili, this song has amazing layers that keep growing and growing, flavor on top of flavor.
What’s completely not expected the first time you hear it though is the completely over the top FILTHY chorus that the buildup finally leads to. I haven’t felt this good about a Kylie song since Red Blooded Woman from her album, Body Language and that was 20 years ago! The video for this song features Kylie in three different moods or costumes/wigs (I especially like the “P!nk inspired one) all on the screen at the same time and goes perfectly with the song. Also, I appreciate that both of Kylie’s top hits on this album got real videos and didn’t automatically go the “Visualizer” route.
There is also an official extended remix of this song that you can go find but to be perfectly honest, this is one of those instances where the regular version doesn’t need any help. Stick with the album here.
Track 5: One More Time (3:02) –
Talk about your interesting songs. From the get-go, it’s obvious that this is intended as a disco tune. But the song reminds me of a group known as the Real McCoy which this has some clear inspiration to. I almost expect when the “One More Time’s” start hitting that O-Jay (lead singer of Real McCoy) would hit the final One More Time in his trademark deep tone. Let’s add a layer to that, the Real McCoy have a single and album named One More Time. It’s clearly not a cover, but this does not feel like a coincidence either. Great song, again very catchy and could have easily been a part of the Disco album. Five absolute bangers to start this disc.
Track 6: You Still Get Me High (3:39) –
We slow down a bit here with some really clever tempos. It seems like this could be another great song until the chorus hits with Oh, oh, oh, oh’s. Wait, what? The chorus does not fit the rest of the song. I’m fully expecting maybe something that builds into a really powerful singing moment instead of a pop cliché. (yeah yeah yeah, oh oh oh, etc). It is far from a bad song, but the first tinge of disappointment to this point hits my ears and this song is clearly one to skip. Kylie still gets me high but this song is not the one to do it with.
Track 7: Hands (2:45) –
Proving that Kylie hasn’t run out of new tricks, Hands is a different type of song for her. It is written in the style of Doja Cat or Cardi B and screams of sexual energy. The most ear catching part of the song is the one that goes “Barbie, I’m that cherry on top of the cake, All up in your face, I’m about to give you a taste.” It comes out of nowhere and almost doesn’t fit Kylie at all (it’s like if a death metal rocker starts singing country in the middle of a song). That lyric sequence only appears twice in the song (a third time near the end of the song would have made it perfect) and I can only hope that a few mixes capitalize on that perfect sound bite.
Track 8: Green Light (3:19) –
Apparently, Kylie is far from done on her influences. Kylie, meet the style of Dua Lipa. Then mix it with some 80’s pop dance, that trademark Kylie singing, and you have Green Light. As with most of the songs on this album, it’s very catchy and certain to get the listener moving. It’s not quite as strong as some of the other songs, but in any other album this would be one of the top tunes instead of second tier.
Track 9: Vegas High (3:33) –
In August of 2023, Kylie announced that she will have her first Vegas residency at the Voltaire over in the Venetian Las Vegas from November of this year until May of 2024. Many of Kylie’s shows can be found on DVD and Blu-Ray and are tailor made for a residency on the Las Vegas strip. This song will obviously be the intro for that set (assuming that Padam Padam is not), and just oozes that vibe. Hopefully, much like past concerts we get a blu-ray (or maybe even a 4k which would be effing amazing) for this residency including a making of which should appease fans who can’t afford or even get a ticket. Again, great song. I feel like I’m repeating myself but the music speaks for itself.
Track 10: 10 Out of 10 (2:52) –
Oliver Heldens is on hand to help with this one. It was released as a promotional song in early 2023 to help promote this album but I never heard it until I got the cd in my hands. It has an interesting talking chorus line by Oliver. This would be perfect soundtrack fuel if there was ever a Zoolander 3 or a sequel to Night at the Roxbury. I know some readers will take that as an insult, but it’s not meant to be at all especially once you listen to the track a few times. Lots of fun, this is the best duo I’ve heard from Kylie since she teamed up with Robbie Williams to do Kids.
Track 11: Story (3:18) –
The last song on the formal album and it is not there for me at all. Kylie goes way too high here and the result is a little I hate to say nauseating. I agree that the inspiration tracks, #1 hits, and other clever tunes need to come to an end. But this isn’t the end after this amazing album that I quite expected. The song hangs there and the listener will probably be more curious to see what the bonus tracks are (provided they got the digibook or one of the special editions) and skip this one after a couple of listens.
Bonus Tracks
Track 12: Love Train (2:56) –
Track 13: Just Imagine (2:36) –
Track 14: Somebody to Love (3:53) –
The rating at the top of the page does not reflect these bonus tracks. If they did, it would probably be a bit lower. Love Train has a neat Super Mario reference to begin the song and something of a fun and enjoyable chorus but never quite gets to the very catchy level of the other album songs. Just Imagine does not get going either and is over before you can really appreciate any of the lyrics or the beat. The only excellent track of the three is the last one, Somebody to Love which should have been swapped for Story so that it could be part of the main album. It shouldn’t be missed and brings a satisfying ending to this record.
In addition, if you have the Bonus Deluxe which is only available digitally, there are two more songs, Heavenly Body and Drum to round out your experience. I would imagine that these find their way to physical disc eventually.
There has been a ton of attention to this album. Many will coin it as a resurgence to form for Kylie but that’s strictly coming from US folk whose only apparent association with the singer is Fever and the freaking Locomotion. Those of us who have seen her many fantastic albums over the years simply feel that this record is one of her absolute best and maybe certain critics should go past their own damn shore once in a while. The next thing we know is that the American listening public will figure out who Anastacia is. That’s probably a stretch. Anyway, Tension is greatly recommended, it is one of the top albums of the year and will probably end up as my favorite album and song unless the last three months has a surprise for me in some fashion. If you love pop music, if you want something that will stick in your head regardless whether you are in the car, shower or in a crowded mall (probably want to refrain from singing the lead chorus to Tension at that point but what do I know?), this is the one for you. Enjoy.
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