On The Download: Kylie Minogue’s ‘Aphrodite’

On her eleventh studio album, Aussie dance diva Kylie Minogue makes a bright and shiny return to the dance floor, and in turn, she has created what this reviewer thinks is the best album of her career. She sings, “What’s the point of living if you don’t wanna dance?”

My sentiments exactly.

“Aphrodite” is a 12-track set of pop-perfection that is as dazzling as “Light Years” and “Fever,” two of Kylie’s previously biggest albums. For the first time, Kylie, who calls “Aphrodite” the most cohesive album since the beginning of her career, enlisted an executive producer. That man would be Stuart Price, whose mix magic put together Madonna’s masterpiece “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” and most recently, the Scissor Sisters’ third album, “Night Work.”

The sweet and euphoric lead single, “All the Lovers,” sets the tone for “Aphrodite,” and is classic-Kylie, cooing lines like, “All the Lovers who have come before / They don’t compare to you.”

The glittery “Get Outta My Way” is my pick to be “Aphrodite’s” second single and I can just imagine the pulsating beats taking over the dance floors in Mykonos and Ibiza in late summer.

Another one of Kylie’s collaborators this time around is Scissor Sisters’ front man (and Kylie’s BFF) Jake Shears, who wrote the insanely addictive “Too Much.”

Last year, on her first ever North American tour, Kylie debuted “Better than Today” and promised to put it on her next record. She kept her promise and does her best Dolly Parton impression on this fun, retro, almost line-dancing, gem of a song.

Love has always been a popular theme for Ms. Minogue, and “Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love)” is somewhat of an anthem in this department. The electro-pop explosion is one of “Aphrodite’s” slickest tracks and is sure to have you on your feet in no time.

The disc’s title track is pure Kylie — her sugar-coated vocals paired with a marching band sound. Europe’s reigning pop princess takes command with lyrics like, ““It’s the truth, it’s a fact / I was gone but now I’m back!”

Kylie channels her inner goddess on “Cupid Boy” as her breathy vocals cast a spell on you.

“Aphrodite” has one last dance on “Can’t Beat the Feeling,” a disco-dream-come-true with infectious lines like “You’ve got an energy / Burning like I’ve never seen.” This couldn’t be truer for Kylie right now at this stage in her career.

At a time in music when female pop stars are more popular than ever, “Aphrodite” solidifies Kylie Minogue’s legendary pop star status and reminds us how good she really is.

“Aphrodite” was released on July 6, and is available everywhere now. The Experience Edition features deluxe packaging, a 28-page booklet, a DVD featuring exclusive footage from Kylie’s North American Tour and a behind-the-scenes featurette.

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