:: Light Years

Kylie Minogue

It’s been interesting to hear reactions to Kylie’s return to her playful, energetic pop style through the release of the first two singles, “Spinning Around” and “On A Night Like This”. Fans and critics have said, “Thank God she has returned to her pop roots.” I am one who really enjoyed her previous album, “Impossible Princess”. It deserved greater acclaim, but she was unlucky in some ways. She produced some of her best ever material, and elements of that are missing here, unfortunately. “Light Years” plays it safe in the old pop formula but with Kylie singing really well and the production being of high order. Some of the notable moments include a beautiful piano ballad, “Bittersweet Goodbye”, complete with strings accompaniment. The track “Your Disco Needs You” (co-written with British star Robbie Williams) has tongue-in-cheek, anthemic qualities, while the romp and glam of “Koocachoo” (remember Alvin Stardust’s “My Coo Ca Choo”), appeals. Kylie’s sexy qualities are well defined in “Spinning Around” and the Barry White cover “Under The Influence Of Love”, indicative of the cool, dance-fitted numbers on show. Overall, it may be a mixed bag for some, but fine vocals and the breezy pop lacing serves its purpose. It probably needed some elements of “Impossible Princess” to make it much better, but Kylie’s standing remains strong nevertheless.