Review Summary: Using lots of contrasted songs and some new tries, this album is a dedication to your sensitivity. If some songs are voluntary cut from human sensation, it is to best enhance the global idea to feel present on the majority of the tracks.
The last album from Kylie goes into a lot of new sound and inspirations. Nevertheless its contrast has a purpose to reach deeply for a couple of track each one' ears.
2 hearts : The first track is really bringing you into intense joy. Deep chorus and use of piano enhances the lightness of this melody. But I personally this track is not part of the Kylie feeling I am going to describe in other songs.
Like a drug : Maybe the best track of the song. Mixing intense dance bass (with a kind of Benassi style) with high register of voice. The sensuality in the song is really intoxicating, you have to be really outside of what you hear not to fall under the charm of Kylie's voice. The suggestion of next level of sensuality is present ( in other world erotic sound), but in a pure sense. This is a Kylie feeling.
In my arms : Strongly electronic song, but the vocals are good and the melody make us sing with Kylie.
Speakerphone : too much electronic here... Kylie is not really singing, it is a lot mechanised, but that's the will of the song... Not really like it.
Sensitized : Based on a Brigitte Bardot and Serge Gainsbourg song, this renewal is really well integrated. High register of voice mastered by Kylie goes well on the song. Really sensitized, as in the title, we are !
Heart Beat Rock : I would say some kind of Gwen Stefani inspiration... Nevertheless, it is not so bad in the part Kylie sing,as no vocoder is used and good variations of vocal techniques are present.
The one : Here is a modernisation of a typical 80's song of latter disco, with the bass background modernised. It is an accomplishment in the sense it is a growing song build to get you higher... We can relate the song to like a drug, but the latter is more related to sensuality whereas the one is an apology of deep love. This is the Kylie feeling acting here again.
No more rain : This song remembers some king of Madonna in the 1997 to 2000 era. Same construction of song, and therefore it works. It is a positive song, relaxing one with a lot of musically, a descriptive song that move you closer to nature.
All I see : This would be the RnB attempt in the album... Remember some parts of Body Language, and maybe some inspiration from Alicia Keys, it is not to my mind an achievment.
Stars : This is a classical approach of pop, maybe for the older fans. It is distracting, but not a masterpiece.
Wow : This is one of the best song in the album. Dynamic, lots of lyrics, you enjoy hearing it. This is really positive, and also the proof that you can achieve great lyricism with electronic instruments ( at least). The way Kylie songs of course enhances the song.
Nudity: This is the experimental song... Maybe 10 years in advance of all other music. No I am not that far kidding, it is in the new wave, using bass. But there is no song, I do not like it... mechanic, rigid, but in fact the lyrics are what is important in this song. So in the essay rating, it is an achievement, with criticism of the nudity in all its form. But don't come for the music!
Cosmic : Again a singing song. Pop, really classic, with almost 90's shape. Kylie sing really dramatic. The use of orchestral instruments reminds some classic song in the 60's or earlier. Is is an achievment.
Ripping up the disco : The first supplementary song is fun. and appear as a futuristic mix of bass driven music , high register screamy lyrics, and a mechanical part... I am not really fan, but it is a try in the dance register remixed ...
Magnetic Electric : This second supplementary song is built on similarities of the previous, and therefore, I will not add comment.
White Diamond : This final and bonus song is really a hit. This is an acoustic version of the song white diamond introduced by Kylie during her return in late 2006. The use of classical instruments contrast with the rest of the album. Nevertheless it is a performance, as her voice is both shining and dramatic. Finally, the conclusion of X is lyric on the extended version, and I think it is good according to what I call the Kylie feeling.
