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Minogue still relying on ‘X’ factor
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Kylie Minogue’s 10th studio album, X, is justifiable evidence that libido does not diminish with age. Nearly 40-years-old, Minogue relies on her identity as a sex symbol in X just as much as she did for her previous commercial successes Kylie and Fever.
After 20 years in the business, Minogue still shows little dimension in her latest album. Most of the 13 tracks reflect the sentiments of a teenage girl who is apparently trapped in the body of a 39-year-old woman. Sure, X will provide hours of entertainment in dance clubs, but outside the setting of a discotheque, listening to any song in its entirety broaches on painful.
Some tracks, such as “2 Hearts” and the iTunes bonus track, “Magnetic Electric,” are incredibly catchy. In the right context — getting ready to go out, dancing or drunken sing-alongs — both songs could be fitting, even fun. Most of the songs, however, show very little innovation and a lot of shockingly terrible lyrics. One song, “The One,” actually compares Minogue’s sexual tension to the Sistine Chapel in the lyrics: “It’s a feeling that I need to know/ Close to touch like Michelangelo.” And in “Stars,” two verses end with the lyrics “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah,” leaving one to assume the songwriters had this conversation:
“Man, I can’t think of a line to finish this verse.”
“Just say ‘Yeah’ four times.”
“Perfect. I’ll do that twice.”
But the downfalls aren’t limited solely to the vocals. Listening to “Speakerphone” could incite a middle school flashback of playing Nintendo, as the music sounds like winning an extra life in Super Mario. This same track is also oddly reminiscent of Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger,” except more breathy and about sex rather than a person’s resilience.
While most of X is consistent in its disappointing nature, two tracks break the chain of one similar song after another. Veering away from the album’s character, “No More Rain” and “Cosmo” contain two distinctions: One, the lyrics finally provide sentiments that reach below the surface, and, two, they stop the album from sounding like one endless track. Instead, these songs sound almost acoustic — a welcome variance. The vast majority of the remaining songs, however, belong in drag shows or Target commercials.
In her defense, Minogue’s success results from an image, not necessarily just what is heard on her albums. Additionally, her performances, costumes and overall look combine to make her a radiating performer, something that cannot be captured on disc.
Still, based on X alone, one is left to wonder how Minogue had experienced such longevity as a pop star despite her lack of outstanding vocal talent. She must just have that X factor.
2 stars out 5
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“X” is incredibly fun dance pop with catchy songs throughout. And that’s probably just what the doctor ordered after the last couple of grueling years she had battling cancer. Awesome grooves. Spot-on vocal delivery. Well done Kylie!