Aphrodite (Kylie Minogue album)
Aphrodite is the eleventh studio album by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. It was released on 30 June 2010 by Parlophone. In 2009, Minogue began working with British electronic music producer Stuart Price, who served as the executive producer of the album. The two collaborated with various producers and writers on the album, including Jake Shears, Calvin Harris, Sebastian Ingrosso and Pascal Gabriel. Aphrodite follows a musical approach similar to Minogue's previous albums and is primarily a dance-pop and disco-pop record. It draws influences from various dance-based genres including electropop, club and rave music.
Aphrodite
30 June 2010
2009–2010
- Electric Love (London)
- EMI (London)
- Metropolis (London)
- Central Command (North Hollywood, California)
- Downtown Studio B (New York City)
43:20
- Andy Chatterley
- Cutfather
- Daniel Davidsen
- Jim Eliot
- Børge Fjordheim
- Pascal Gabriel
- Calvin Harris
- Sebastian Ingrosso
- Magnus
- Nerina Pallot
- Stuart Price
- Lucas Secon
- Damon Sharpe
- Fraser T. Smith
- Starsmith
- Peter Wallevik
- Xenomania
Aphrodite received generally positive reviews from music critics, many of whom complimented it as a return to form for Minogue, however, some critics were divided on its production. In Australia, Aphrodite peaked at number two on the Australian Albums Chart and was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). In the United Kingdom, the album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, earning Minogue the Guinness World Record for achieving the most consecutive decades with top five albums in the country. Additionally, it reached the top five in Belgium, Canada, France, Greece, Spain, and, Switzerland, among others.
Four singles were released from Aphrodite. The lead single, "All the Lovers", peaked at number three in the United Kingdom and reached the top 10 in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Subsequent singles "Get Outta My Way", "Better than Today", and "Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love)" generally underperformed on the charts, causing Minogue to express disappointment in her label. In the United States, all four singles released from the album peaked atop the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart. To further promote the album, Minogue embarked on the Aphrodite: Les Folies Tour in 2011.
Composition[edit]
Billed by her record label Parlophone as her comeback album,[9][10] Aphrodite is a celebration of Minogue's "dance-floor roots",[17] and is primarily a dance-pop and disco-pop album.[16][18][19] Its title alludes to the Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation. "All the Lovers", one of the last tracks to be recorded for the album,[17] is a "squiggly" electro-disco song written by Jim Eliot and Mima Stilwell, who had previously collaborated with Minogue on "2 Hearts", the lead single from X.[16][20][21] It is similar to Minogue's 2004 single "I Believe in You", but has a "more danceable edge", and features a "gauzy, heartbeat rhythm" and "'80s-era synth lines".[15][20][22] The song was met with critical acclaim from music critics and was frequently commended for its production and chorus.[20][23] The second track "Get Outta My Way" was described as a "flamboyant explosion of pop, synth and dance" that "[s]tick[s] faithfully to [Minogue's] roots in bubblegum pop".[24] The song focuses on a "frustrated and furious" Minogue delivering "wispy" vocals in a form of a warning to her uncaring partner, indicating that she may leave him and start "grinding away with another chap".[24][25][26] Its lyrical content is suggestive in nature.[24] The song received generally favourable reviews from music critics and was complimented for its musical composition and subject matter.[24][26] "Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love)" is a "club anthem".[22] Receiving mixed critical reviews, its lyrics were criticised for being clichéd,[27] although one critic named it a "concert hit waiting to happen."[28] "Closer" takes a darker and more atmospheric approach, featuring "sighing background vocals and spiralling harpsichord-esque synths."[16] Critics felt that it was one of the more interesting and experimental songs of the album.[9][10]
Although Price said that no ballads were included in the album,[15] critics opined that the downtempo pop song "Everything Is Beautiful" was penned like one.[22][18][30] "Aphrodite", the title track of the album, features a "foot-stomping" beat and "military drummed" instrumentation, similar to that of a marching band.[18][31] Price likened the song to Janet Jackson for its "'Rhythm Nation'-esque qualities."[15] The song, one of Minogue's two collaborations with Pallot that were kept on the track list, is penned like a dance anthem through which Minogue "brags" about her sexual prowess.[32] It was met with critical acclaim by most music critics, and was declared to be one of the strongest tracks on the album.[10][16][31][33] Minogue wrote the melancholic seventh track "Illusion" with Price.[16] "Better than Today", the first track to be recorded for the album and the second collaboration with Pallot, is a dance-pop song with influences of country music.[34][18] It was complimented as likeable and a stand-out,[30][35] but criticised for its monotony.[36]
Written by Minogue, Jake Shears and Calvin Harris, "Too Much" was described as a "rave monster" and is built on a "fugue of synths and disco-rific sampled strings".[18][37] Critics were divided on the track, with its energy being praised but Harris' production being disapproved of.[9][22] "Cupid Boy" drew comparisons to the music of English alternative dance band New Order and features Minogue delivering "lusty" vocals over a "retro, throbbing bass line".[22][37] Its intro, New Order-influenced bass line, and rock guitar instrumentation positively surprised critics.[34][38] "Looking for an Angel", one of the first songs Minogue and Price wrote together,[12] is composed of "celestial synth strings" and contains an extended breakdown.[16][34] Price's production of the song received mixed opinions from critic.[31][39] The set closes with the electropop track "Can't Beat the Feeling",[22] which is similar to the work of French electronic music duo Daft Punk.[18] Its energetic composition and placement as the closing track was appreciated by critics.[16][22]
The Japanese and digital editions of the album feature Xenomania-produced bonus tracks "Heartstrings" and "Mighty Rivers", respectively. The former was described as a "jaunty, electro-guitar track that feels like it could've been a Light Years B-side", while the latter was said to have a "similar vibe to 'Heartstrings' but ... more impact."[40]
Accolades[edit]
In 2010, Aphrodite was nominated for Best Pop Release at the ARIA Music Awards, but lost to Sia's We Are Born; Minogue was nominated for Best Female Artist, but lost to Megan Washington.[83] AllMusic included Aphrodite on their list of "Favorite Pop Albums of 2010".[84] Idolator included the album on their list of "10 Out of '10: Idolator's Favorite Albums of the Year" list, with critic Robbie Daw writing that "hooking up with producer Stuart Price turned out to be the perfect way for Kylie to give her already impressive career a fresh jolt" and that "Aphrodite pretty much was my Summer 2010".[85] At the 2011 Virgin Media Music Awards, Aphrodite was voted the Best Album by British music fans.[86] The lead single "All the Lovers" also received an award, being voted "Best Single".[86] At the 2011 Brit Awards, Minogue received her eighth nomination for "Best International Female Solo Artist".[87] In 2015, Vice ranked Aphrodite tenth on its list of "The 99 Greatest Dance Albums of All Time", praising the album's relentless energy.[88]
Notes