SOUND NT JUDGEME
THE LATEST ALBUM RELEASES RATED AND REVIEWED
KYLIE MINOGUE – GOLDEN
AS KYLIE, our adopted national treasure, approaches 50, her golden year, she begins afresh with a change of label for her 14th studio album. Recorded in Nashville, there is a country sheen, but this is quintessentially Kylie.
Lead single Dancing has proved to be a grower, its subject matter a reflection on enjoying life while you can. The album continues with much whooping and stomping beats, but Kylie co-wrote each track, and there are songs that nod to her break-up last year.
A duet with Jack Savoretti, is possibly the best ballad the Australian pop star has ever recorded. Kylie proves she still has the Midas touch with an album packed with heart, soul and glitter on its cowboy boots.
MANIC STREET PREACHERS – RESISTANCE IS FUTILE
THE Welsh band’s decision to provide a collection that’s almost a summation of their work so far is both the album’s biggest strength and weakness.
They’re unlikely to draw in many new fans with tracks such as Liverpool Revisited and People Give In, with their bold bravado and 1990s theatrics.
But just as some of their more suspect album-filler tracks feel a little dated, the standout hits feel as strong as some of their most recognisable hits. Dylan & Caitlin is foremost among them; extremely listenable, it’s an interesting spin on the relationship between poet Dylan Thomas and his wife Caitlin. The Manics aren’t breaking the mould, but on the strength of their songwriting, they won’t have to.
HINDS – I DON’T RUN
THERE’S a lot of youthful exuberance to Madrid four-piece Hinds’ second album. Every song is packed with spindly riffs and shouty vocals, but there’s a cheerful innocence to the songs.
Although grungy anthem Tester touches on the thorny subject of sex, for the most part there’s an emphasis on the childlike, with deliberately off-key vocals and lyrics.
Stripped down, acoustic number Ma Nuit (the only song to feature Spanish lyrics) suggests the band might mature in an interesting direction, but right now listening is a bit like supervising a children’s party: fun at first but exhausting after a while.