:: Holly Valance - State of Mind

Holly Valance

Holly Valance is back with her second album, State of Mind and she is more reminiscent of Kylie than ever… although that isn’t such a bad thing. There are the same high pitched and breathy vocals and the obligatory knock-em-dead makeover. Most notable however, is the distinct nod to the 80’s that both popettes have cashed in on over the recent years. For Miss Valance, gone are the Middle-Eastern influences that featured throughout past hit ‘kiss kiss’ and in come synthesised vocals, electro-funk beats and well-placed guitar tributes. As a result, please welcome a more sophisticated, edgy and grown up Holly to your stereo. And she’s more adamant to enjoy herself than ever! I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not usually a fan of pop music and when I heard this album the first time, I automatically dismissed it as teenybopper schmaltz. However, once I took off my judgemental goggles and gave it a good spin, I was “aghast” to discover that there isn’t one single track that I would skip! Every song is catchy, sexy and fun in its own way. There is the slower-paced opener, Hypnotic, which would be swell to open a concert with; the unashamedly retro sounds of Roll Over and Over’n’Out and of course, State of Mind. Like most other tracks, this upbeat ditty got me thrashing my hand up in the air enthusiastically. I like this album, which shows how much Holly’s sound has evolved. In fact, I found it to be such good fun that I hope my neighbours weren’t watching me dance.