Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1HIxg4gdGHARh34RUwqrua?si=c8d49d70fb6446ed
Are you feeling in the mood for some dance floor bangers? How about some pop, country, or even disco? Whether you’re walking to class, working out at the gym, heading to a party, or are all in your feels, Kylie Minogue could become the new soundtrack to your everyday life.
Older generations likely know the Australian pop star for her debut cover of “The Loco-Motion” in 1987, while younger Americans may not be as familiar with Minogue. If not by name, they would probably recognize her iconic, sleek new-millennium banger “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” (2001). In it, Kylie effortlessly sings, “I just can’t get you out of my head / boy it’s more than I dare to think about” about a lover she can’t seem to shake, looking chic in her white jumpsuit, and living in the world of tomorrow.
Since her late ‘80s debut, Minogue remains a force to be reckoned with. According to The Guardian, when her smash hit “Disco” (2020) was released, Minogue became the first female artist in the U.K. to have five number one albums in five separate decades, spanning from the 1980’s-2020’s. Because of her catchy-yet-punchy lyrics, strong work ethic, and thirst to continually expand and grow as an artist and person, Minogue has appealed to the public cross-generationally, internationally, and within the LGBTQ+ community. With songs that fuel, inspire, and feel-good, she cleverly crafts themes in her lyrics and varied productions that weave adventure, love, longing, and infectious energy.
Minogue’s achievements are evidenced by her collection of Grammys, Brit Awards, and Australian Recording Industry Association Awards (ARIA). According to Billboard, with sixteen studio albums and nine number one albums on the U.K. charts, Minogue’s work has established her as a superstar of the age.
The pop-chameleon's true musical versatility and prowess is evident by her ability to navigate seamlessly between genres of glistening dance-pop, Greek-goddess inspired EDM, and reimagined euphoric disco.
In the summer of 2023, Minogue began her quest to pop superstardom with the release of her hit song, “Padam Padam,” named cleverly after a heartbeat. “Padam Padam” became incredibly successful due to the fun nature of its lyrics, appeal to the LGBTQ+ community, and club-ready beats. As the verse begins to build towards the chorus, Kylie sings, “shivers and butterflies / I get the shivers when I look into your eyes.”
While promoting Tension, Minogue had her first viral hit due to the widespread use of “Padam Padam” on social media. Since then, it has evolved into much more than a song. For Kylie fans, it has become more of a way of communication. According to Today, Kylie herself describes the song title as a hello, goodbye, and everything in between.
According to an interview with Minogue and the magazine People, Tension reached number one in Australia and number twenty-one in the U.S. It became critically acclaimed, with Kylie embarking on a new Vegas Residency and earning her first Grammy nomination since 2004. Minogue continues to reinvent herself through her silvery vocals, shimmering dance-floor beats, and tendency to tell the stories of humanity and the need for connection that exist within us all.
Favorite Tracks on Tension:
“Padam Padam”: “Padam Padam” is Kylie’s newest and brightest. With a summons to a dance floor, a lover is lost in the haze of an adrenaline adventure. Kylie “can hear your heart beating,” both within the context of the song, and through its fast-paced freedom that can get anyone moving. The production allows the listener to become transported to this new high. The music video, shot in a Los Angeles diner, features Kylie and her dancers dressed in a red ensemble, a classic red villain chair, and with a special choreographed flair.
“Hold Onto Now”: “Hold Onto Now” is one of Kylie’s most introspective, yet celebratory songs yet. It’s lyrics, “Baby what are we holding on to? / Baby where do we wanna run to?” represent a precious moment in time where two lovers simultaneously contemplate the future while reflecting on where they have come from. Ultimately, they conclude that living in the now is just fine. The production is not heavy on the dance beats, but instead showers the listener in bright beams of light.
“One More Time”: If “Tension'“ was the club, then One More Time is the Vegas encore, with Kylie singing “slow down / shake it all out / baby can’t you feel that my heart is beating” with a rich orchestral backup. Kylie’s ability to travel back and forth between EDM and real instruments on alternating tracks is a gamble she takes and attempts to execute flawlessly.
“Hands”: Hands is a hidden gem on “Tension,” a refreshing summer breeze where Kylie alternates between sugary pop and fun verses as she raps, “yeah what you think, this is huh? / You’re killing that, but I’m queenin’ this.” In her ever-spanning career, Queen Kylie can now say she tried rap, and succeeded!
“Story”: This emotional dance ballad, as Kylie says, is about turning “another page / baby take the stage / you know the stars are coming out for ya.” This empowering anthem is about becoming the best version of yourself.