Kyile Minogue - X (2007)

X marks the spot. OK, I know that sounds cheesy - but it's true! When X was first released in November 2007, I was thrilled to bits that we finally had Kylie back and seemingly better than ever. But I was slightly unsure about X itself, I'm afraid to admit.

For one thing, as cool as '2 Hearts' is, it just seemed kinda off as the first single. My biggest gripe with that track is that Kylie doesn't do the last, rapturous 'I'm in love!' at the end of the song - and, indeed, doesn't sing much of the backing vocals.

And then there was the hype surrounding the release of X. Before it was released, before '2 Hearts,' before there were any clips circulating, there seemed to be two schools of hope: X would either be an album of pop perfection not heard since... well, ever; or, X would be a superb return to the introspection and experimentation of the Impossible Princess era - as well as a perfect pop album.

I'll admit that I had my fingers crossed for IP Volume II. Kylie proved with Impossible Princess that she has way more going on in her head than visions of hotpants and glitter. Surely the emotional experiences of Kylie's last few years should result in an album that lyrically explores the darker parts of her mind and musically delves deep into her soul?

But then, that's not what Kylie's about, is she? And I mean that in the most wonderful way possible. Kylie's music from the very beginning has been about celebrating life and love. As I said in a LiveJournal post about the fab Ms. Minogue, even during her darkest musical time, she was able to find 'Some Kind Of Bliss' in her life. Kylie's music doesn't focus on the bad times in life or wallow in melodrama - her songs are centered around the belief that life and love are beautiful things. We need music like that. Introspection is good and all, but sometimes, you just need a little fabulousness.

So I changed my mind about X. We don't know what was going through Kylie's mind and heart the last few years, but it's reasonable to assume that it wasn't all sunshine and daisies. Why would anyone want to go through that and then create an album that just dwells on that difficult time? Kylie got through a hard period in her life. This calls for a celebration. And that's what X is all about.

The electronic glam-rocker '2 Hearts' opens the album and is followed by 'Like A Drug,' a fab electro-dance number. It's all burbling, buzzing synths and features a confident vocal from Kylie. 'In My Arms' comes up next and immediately establishes itself as a Kylie classic. Euphoric and beautifully produced with sweeping vocals and whirling synths, 'In My Arms' is just sensational.

And now we move from sensational to 'Speakerphone'! It's a little over-long at 3:54, but 'Speakerphone' has a cool sound and has a habit of getting stuck in my head! Next we have 'Sensitized.' A sort of 'Cowboy Style' for the 2000s, this track is the only one on the album that doesn't seem to gel. It's a fantastic tune with great beats (and that 'whoo!'-ing Gainsbourg sample isn't as annoying as a lot of fans make it out to be!) but is almost too 'organic' for the electronic soundscape of X.

I have to be honest about this next track. 'Heart Beat Rock' is ultimately just Kylie knocking off Gwen Stefani's 'sound'. (I am not a Stefani fan and while I liked some of her first album's tracks, her vocal style now just grates on my nerves.) The chorus is all right but the verses - oh no! Kylie sort of mimics Gwen's talking/singing style and it just makes me cringe. C'mon Kylie, you're better than that!!

X recovers from that terrible faux pas with 'The One,' a brilliant pop gem of a song. 'Love me, love me, love me, love me' sings Kylie, and how can you resist when the request is packaged in such a fresh, exhilarating song? Up next is 'No More Rain,' a sweet, understated tune with poignant lyrics. 'Funny how life can unfold' - too true! The low-key groove continues with 'All I See,' an RnB-inflected track that, if it doesn't get you on your first listen, will certainly grow on you.

'Stars' is next and features rockin' drums that push the song along while Kylie gives a fantastic vocal performance. The mood throughout the album has been happy and energetic, but the next track kicks it into overdrive! 'Wow' is a simply wonderful pop song that romps along at a frenetic, joyful pace. Speaking of romping, 'Nu-Di-Ty' is often derided as the album's worst track by people who have not yet come to understand the brilliance of this song. You see, 'Nu-Di-Ty' is so awful that it's great. It sounds like something Kylie and her producers came up with in the studio while drunk or something. It's the musical equivalent of those idle doodles you drew while sitting in class in high school. 'Nu-Di-Ty' is a throwaway track that somehow made it onto the album, and for that feat, should be regarded as a classic.

The album closes with 'Cosmic,' a song that, if performed in front of an audience, will most certainly result in that cheesy arm-waving thing. I feel like doing that when I'm listening to it on my iPod! 'Cosmic' is a pretty, orchestral-sounding track that is really rather epic. It's always nice to hear Kylie singing downtempo songs ('Put Yourself In My Place' being the best example of this) and 'Cosmic' is a fine addition to that small but lovely group of songs in her repertoire. It's a touching end to a long-awaited album. So OK, maybe X didn't change the face of pop music as we know it. But it applied a fresh new coat of lip gloss and some wicked glam eyeshadow, and really, what more could you ask for?

X (2007)
1. 2 Hearts
2. Like A Drug
3. In My Arms
4. Speakerphone
5. Sensitized
6. Heart Beat Rock
7. The One
8. No More Rain
9. All I See
11. Wow
12. Nu-Di-Ty
13. Cosmic

Enjoy! Cheery bye, Scarlett

Kyile Minogue - X (2007)