Skillet Seal of Approval: "Aphrodite"

Not much of a surprise here but Kylie Minogue has scored another hit album with “Aphrodite”. I wouldn’t classify myself as a Kylie superfan, but I do enjoy her music and her as well. I might go so far as to say that I love her. Period. End of Story. But, there’s an album here that needs to be brought to the forefront of your attention if you didn’t know it existed already.

I considered “X” to be an experimental album of sorts. It is filled with electronic synths and beats that are uncommon in previous Kylie albums and suffice it to say, they all work. With songs produced by Daft Punk and The Scissor Sisters you knew a different sound would come about. “Aphrodite” is a return to her vocal-led pop roots. Sure there are electronic beats and electronic-led songs but it’s not as prevalent as in “X”. Kylie is known for experimenting with different styles, and that is no more apparent than if you listen to “Impossible Princess” then “X”, you’d hear two distinctly different sounds. “Aphrodite” is somewhere in between with elements from both albums as well as some new sounds. It blends her sultry, sexy, sensuous, salacious voice in a way that is refreshing to hear given that the pop landscape is inundated with auto-tuned artists not willing to let their true voice be heard. Kylie takes a risk on this album by going against that trend and delivers sweet music that plays to her vocal strengths. The album is wonderfully put together as every song compliments the other. It’s a testament to the producers, and Kylie, that the songs don’t seem like they were randomly selected and then thrown in an unspecified order on the album.


“All the Lovers” is a great starting off point, but the album really kicks into gear with “Get Outta My Way” as a piano-led intro gives way to one of the most infectious hooks in recent memory. If you aren’t bobbing your head by the time Kylie tells you to “take a chance and try something new”, then something’s wrong with you. The album is filled with love-themed pop songs (and really, what great pop songs aren’t about love?) that highlight Kylie’s ability to draw you into her voice and feel the words she’s singing. Kylie is the Queen of Pop and “Aphrodite” is a welcome return after a three-year hiatus.

Songs of note: “All the Lovers”, “Get Outta My Way”, “Closer”, “Aphrodite”, and “Cupid Boy”