★ ★ ★ ★ out of 5
Many have been proudly riding the Kylie Minogue locomotion for three decades, weaving wildly through pop, dance and disco genre influences.
On the journey, we've made infectious pit stops at timeless, often underappreciated, gems such as “Spinning Around”, “Can’t Get You Outta My Head” and “Get Outta My Way”.
Since the release of 2014s sexually-driven Kiss Me Once – Minogue went on to release a Christmas album the following year – the artist has found herself hunkered down in Nashville, Tennessee, experimenting with a country-pop sound the likes of Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus have recently dabbled in.
The experimentation thankfully has been Golden, both in title of Minogue’s fourteenth studio album and overall quality. The record also serves as the artist's first in twenty years where she receives co-songwriting credits on every track. Perhaps her labeling the recent effort as "her most personal to date" is a more authentic description than what we've received from others in the past. Sorry Britney.
Die-hard fans may have been initially hesitant to embrace the announced country creative direction, however, once lead single “Dancing” was released, Kylie highlighted it was business as usual, now with just a subtle twang to her step.
Ultimately, the new 12-track album cleverly focuses on the artist’s growth and maturity, both in her career and personal life. Supported by production drenched in rhinestones, the album becomes a sincere, euphoric look into life, death, love and heartbreak.
Official singles "Dancing" and "Stop Me From Falling" are reflective gatekeepers, personal and providing listeners with perfect opportunities to dive deeper into Minogue's true lyrical state of mind, instead of just pushing forward with interpretations on the surface. Glossy appetizers to prepare the palette of the usual pop connoisseurs.
The former is an ode to brushing off life's problems in order to enjoy the now. With handclaps and acoustic guitar, Kylie reminisces on and celebrates her past experiences, while embracing what the future might have in store. The latter serves as a blossoming love story told through a different lens, highlighting the often-problematic grey area between friends and lovers. Effectively conveying the feeling of butterflies in one’s stomach, the artist comes to the stunning revelation that the person she now sees a future with has always been right by her side.
Minogue uses that same method of more profound and complex songwriting throughout. As she approaches the age of 50, the artist has shared thoughts on the ageism she experiences in the music industry. Efforts like the title track "Golden" could have taken a vindictive approach, yet Minogue layers her heartwarming vocals with a strange, spaghetti western-like backing beat. It oddly works.
"Live A Little" tackles the topic of age and newfound liberation as well, refusing to let a number factor into one's pursuit of happiness. "At the end of the day, there ain't no stopping me now (whoa), I'll do whatever it takes, you'll never keep it down," she sings. The perfect blending of country instrumentals and pop production aesthetic has this one screaming for radio airplay.
Blossoming love and its uncertainties are the prime focus on appropriately titled "Love", a harmless little ditty about the joy and warmth that comes with. Minogue expresses her needs and borderline stalker tendencies on Taylor Swift-sounding "One Last Kiss". To hear the usually confident artist sing of desperately waiting for a touch, even a whisper, will sound uncharacteristic. However, once again, vocals and delivery save the day. Album highlight "Sincerely Yours" can get repetitive, but written as a love letter to her fan base provides priceless sentiment that carries the track to mid-tempo pop ballad heights. "Wouldn't give it all away, 'cause we weathered that storm and the pouring rain, when I need a little love, you show it", she opens.
However, where there's love, devilish heartache is certainly just around the corner.
Though she understands the risk of being hurt again, Minogue allows herself to get involved with a less-than-perfect suitor on "A Lifetime to Repair". The juxtaposition of somberly admitting to settling and an uptempo banjo will have listeners ugly crying in the mirror as they two-step. "Radio On" follows Minogue in the tragic aftermath of a break-up, only comforted by a familiar song pouring from her speakers. Certainly, listeners will be doing the same for comfort with this harrowing ballad.
The ballad approach also helps tracks such as "Shelby '68" and "Music's Too Sad Without You" shine for different reasons. The former might suffer from slightly amateurish lyrics, especially on the chorus, yet the child-like adoration pouring from the artist provides a heartwarming backdrop. The latter, a duet with English acoustic singer/songwriter Jack Savoretti, might be the deepest cut we've gotten from Minogue in a long while. Her chemistry with Savoretti adds a sense of urgency, that nothing is the same without that special someone by your side.
Those who opted for the deluxe edition uncovered a few other album highlights, an inspiring radio-ready effort, and the only mediocre track on the record.
"Lost Without You" is a somber, bittersweet yet edgy addition that sounds ripped straight from an 80s rom-com soundtrack. A call for independence and embracing one's own worth, perhaps production kept it from standing cohesively next to the country-leaning tunes on the standard tracklist. "Every Little Part of Me" is more of the straightforward pop approach we would expect from Minogue. The predictable subject matter and tone does not dim the spark though. "Rollin'" opens with the same guitar chords as the lead single -- likely way its downgraded to a B-side -- yet as the song progresses, the message of enjoying life stands on its own with commendable end results. Finally, while "Low Blow" provides a different take and sound to the typical country release, the love struck approach is cute, the offbeat nature doesn't prove very appetizing in the end.
Thirty years into a career, instantly iconic releases, respectable chart performances... isn't Kylie Minogue allowed to do what she wants and toy with the country genre for an impressive 14th studio album?
Golden allows, on a very rare occasion, listeners to get a peek into the other half of the dazzling pop diva's persona. Spoiler alert: it's not always technicolor strobe lights and dance-worth tracks for those who must face the spotlight on a daily basis. Instead, there's a deeper appreciation that should rightfully rise as the artist gets candid about her love life and how she is treated in a tough industry. The songs have a realistic, narrative touch that critics complained was missing from her previous album release. Finding refuge in Nashville, the country influences were to be expected. And while the effort is a solid, authentic and feel-good experiment, it's doubtful that we will see Minogue sporting a pink cowboy hat for album #15.
Tracks to Hear: "Dancing", "Stop Me from Falling", "Sincerely Yours", "Live A Little" and "Raining Glitter"
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