´óÏó´«Ã½

« Previous | Main | Next »

Kylie Minogue - '2 Hearts'

Post categories:

Fraser McAlpine | 09:52 UK time, Tuesday, 6 November 2007

Kylie MinogueIt may not seem as though I have that much in common with Ian Brown on first impression, but neither of us is averse to making the odd controversial comment about Kylie Minogue. For example: I've always listed Dannii as my Minogue of preference, even though it's treason to say such things in public. And here's another: I don't think Kylie's as much fun as she used to be. THERE, I SAID IT. Call it pop treachery of the highest order if you like, but it's how I feel at the moment. It's not to say that I don't like what she's doing (although we'll get to my specific issues in a minute), I just can't help wishing she didn't have to be all I'm Such A Serious Popstar all the time.

I can understand it, of course. For years Kylie's name was a byword for mass-produced, artistically bankrupt tat (according to certain sources, anyway; if you ask me, 'I Should Be So Lucky' is a masterpiece and people should be looking to it for inspiration, not sneering at it), and when she first tried to be serious and arty nobody bought her records (although again, I think she produced some of her best material during her obscure indie phase - 'Put Yourself in My Place' and 'Did It Again' are brilliant), so having experienced a career resurgence at the turn of the millennium and finally being given the respect that an artist of longevity such as hers deserves, it must be gratifying for her to be taken seriously.

But the thing is, the other day I dug Light Years out of my CD collection and had another listen, and I found myself wondering what had happened. Although there are songs on that album that I don't especially care for, listening to the album itself is always a pleasurable experience because fun and enjoyment just ooze out of it. Its tongue is planted firmly in its cheek (how can it not be when it contains 'Your Disco Needs You', the only song in the known universe camper than 'YMCA'?) and it isn't trying to be art - it's just trying to be fun.

And that's something I thought was missing from her last two albums, because singles aside, Fever and Body Language just kind of blended into one amorphous blur for me. Too self-consciously hip for my liking, too lacking in the knowing sense of self-parody that made her comeback such a hit for this reviewer. And yet oddly, when you go to see a Kylie show, it's a spectacle: she dresses up as a Vegas burlesque girl and wears feathers twice as big as she is, or gets flown above the audience on a giant crescent moon. So why isn't this sense of archness present in her music any more?

To address the matter in hand, 'Two Hearts' is not lacking in drama or pizzazz. It's a very classy piece of pop, very cleverly structured to be able to push the envelope slightly while not being sufficiently extravagant to alienate those who sit firmly in the mainstream. And it has an anthemic chorus which sounds a bit like Alison Goldfrapp ate the Klaxons. But that's kind of my problem here: it does sound a bit like Kylie trying to 'do' Goldfrapp, and considering Goldfrapp's last album was Goldfrapp trying to 'do' Goldfrapp and not doing an especially good job of it, I'm concerned. I don't like the idea of Kylie trying to emulate another act; I consider it beneath her, and I rather think she should too.

The more I listen to this song, the more I like it and the more my initial misgivings start to fade away, which is generally how a good pop song operates. It's taken me less time to come around to this song than it did for me to like 'Slow'. And yet, I still find this curiously unsatisfying as a comeback: it doesn't have the impact that the first new song from Kylie in over two years should have. Maybe nothing could've lived up to my anticipation, but I almost feel like this wasn't even trying. It's a confident move on Kylie's part, to come back with a single that acts like she was never away, but I would've loved to hear something more celebratory and less po-faced.

It may look odd for me to have complained so much about this song and still give it four stars, so allow me to explain. This is a good song. I'm not questioning that. I just don't think it's a great song, and it should've been. A first single off a Kylie album ought to be a slam-dunk five stars, no questions asked. Four stars indicates my slight disapproval on an emotional level, even if my gut response to the song has me running onto the dancefloor. So there you have it.

Four starsDownload: Out now
CD Released:
October 29th

(Steve Perkins)

Comments

  1. At 02:20 PM on 06 Nov 2007, Roxy wrote:

    I agree with you. I was expecting a much 'bigger' comeback song. This is a tad disappointing and I was saying a few months ago that Kylie's comeback song will go to number one cos it's gonna be a great tune but this one will be top3 at best.

    Sorry Kylie. At least you'll do better than your sister's attempt.

  2. At 02:54 PM on 06 Nov 2007, Lisa wrote:

    I had such high hopes for this one... :(

    Pretty video, tho.

  3. At 03:32 PM on 06 Nov 2007, wrote:

    You couldn't be more wrong if you were the most wrong person in the world whose just won the Most Wrong Person. Ever. Competition.

    This is rank. Utter bile. A facile, 2nd rate Goldfrapp ripoff without an ounce of originality or vitality about it. I know we're not allowed to say bad things about Saint Kylie, but this is really bad.

    And having heard the album last night, this is one of the better tracks. Second hand 2005 electronica with the thinnest, tinniest vocals imaginable.

    But i w ll be number 1, because it's Saint Kylies comeback record, regardless of its lack of merit.

    Although I'm with you in the Danni supporters club. Why 'So Under Pressure' didn't do better than no 16 I do not know, but I've high hopes for the forthcoming 'Touch Me Like That' despite the last century Jason Nevins add ons.

  4. At 04:49 PM on 07 Nov 2007, Loz wrote:

    love the track, the album new album is is full of potential number one singles, The One, Like a Drug, In my arms, are all fab.

  5. At 04:17 PM on 14 Nov 2007, Gustavo wrote:

    I don´t know way people are finding so hard to LOOOOOOOVE this track!
    It is amazing.

  6. At 05:13 PM on 23 Nov 2007, jacob wrote:

    I personally agree with this review but again think its to kind simply because its Kylie Minogue. During her transitional phase from S/A/W back in the early 1990's she utilised Madonna has her muse and in many ways has continued to look toward the Pop Queen for inspiration, utilising Madonna's nack for re-invention as her own game plan to stay relavent. However Kylie is and always has been a lightweight Madonna, never able to fully emerse herself in the depths of artistry for fear of upsetting the establishment (think Impossible Princess), she lacks the kudos and depth to be able to take on the might of the media the way Madonna has throughout her career, this single 2 hearts is proof of that fact! Kylie assumes shes a credible artist able to morph into different guises echoing Madonna whom achieves this with great success, Kylie however often falls flat as her public just dont want to see her as anything BUT a disco dolly camped up to the nines, she just cannot cut it when the chips are down and its time to get serious. I wish she would for her sake stick to her contrived pop/dance formula and leave the serious alter egos to one who does it far better, Madonna.

This post is closed to new comments.

´óÏó´«Ã½ iD

´óÏó´«Ã½ navigation

´óÏó´«Ã½ © 2014 The ´óÏó´«Ã½ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.