Saturday, September 30, 2023

Album review: Tension by Kylie Minogue

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Last week, the Goddess of Pop Kylie Minogue released her 16th studio album titled Tension. It just became her 9th #1 album in the UK, and her 8th #1 album in Australia! An amazing accomplishment for this talented veteran artist.


We have reviewed the album. Of course, we have already covered the 3 singles prior to the album release: “10 Out Of 10”, “Padam Padam”, and “Tension.”



“Padam Padam” was a the massive hit this summer and it got Kylie back on the charts after many years away. But it did something more, it became a worldwide cultural phenomenon hailed by the LGBTQ+ community that had everyone saying “Padam” to mean various things. It was written by Peter Rycroft and Ina Wroldsen. It was produced by Lostboy.



“Hold On To Now” is one of the best songs on the album. The melody is wonderful and the music is uplifting and melancholy all at the same time. It was written by Kylie, Biff Stannard, Duck Blackwell, and Jon Green, who all but Kylie produced the track.



“Things We Do For Love” is another uplifting pop song and we aren’t complaining. This is a wonderful so far. It was written by Kylie, Kamille, Stannard, Blackwell, Green, and Anya Jones. It was produced by Stannard, Blackwell, and Green.




The most recent single is one we can’t get enough of: the title track “Tension.” It is just a fabulous, fun song. It was written by Kylie, Kamille, Stannard, Blackwell, Green, and Jones. It was produced by Stannard and Blackwell.



“One More Time” keeps up the pace with fun pop song. It is a good one for dancing around the room. It was written by Kylie, Stannard, Blackwell, and Green. It was produced by Stannard and Blackwell.



“You Still Get Me High” starts off and you immediately think “Ah … this is the ballad of the album.” But it doesn’t say a ballad for too long as the beat picks up and transforms the song completely. It was written by Kylie, Stannard, and Green. It was produced by Stannard, Blackwell, and Green.



“Hands” is a change of pace for the album as it slows down the pace. Is Kylie rapping? Yes and no. There is a guest vocalist on the first verse by the name of Ms Marinade, who is actually song writer Ryan Ashley. Read about here. This was written by Mich Hansen, Daniel Davidsen, Kasper Larsen, and Ryan Ashley. It was produced by Cutfather, Davidsen, KayAndMusic, and Ashley.


“Green Light” is smooth groove with a saxophone. It also has a really good chorus. This was written by Davidsen, Peter Wallevik, and Ruby Spiro. It was produced by PhD.


“Vegas High” has been tipped as a future single from the album, especially since Kylie has an upcoming residency in Las Vegas. It was written by Kylie, Stannard, Blackwell, and Gez O’Connell. It was produced by Stannard and Blackwell.




“10 Out Of 10” was the first single and it was done with Dutch producer Oliver Heldens. We love this song and we think it is an absolute bop! It always makes us happy.



The last track “Story” starts off almost giving a nod to her Golden album, which was country pop. But this definitely isn’t a country song. It is definitely a big europhic pop song! It is a glorious way to end the album.


If you get the Deluxe Edition of the album, it has 3 bonus tracks which are pretty good. Back in the day, they probably would have been b-sides. There now a Bonus Deluxe Edition with 2 more bonus tracks. Lots for fans to soak up here.

We think this is Kylie’s best album since her 2010 glorious album Aphrodite. Buy it today! We've added all of these songs to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify


Outta Sight,
—Sausi O'Sullivan and Davearama

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Friday, September 22, 2023

Slow Train by OMD

Dear Poptastic Readers,

The English duo Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (aka OMD) are back with a new song called "Slow Train." They had a string of hits in the UK during the 80s and early 90s. They had a few minor hits in the US, but one big one called "If You Leave", which was on the Pretty In Pink Soundtrack in 1986. 


"Slow Train" is a very modern dark electro number and we are loving it. This sounds very different to the OMD that we remember, but we are loving it. It is reminding of us of the glorious electroclash genre from the early 2000s, but this does not sound dated. The music video is visually stunning. We've added it to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on YouTube.


"Slow Train" was written by Andy McCluskey and Katrina Kanepe. It was produced by OMD. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify


Cheers then,

—Davearama

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Thursday, September 21, 2023

Come Over by Filip Grönlund & Rikky Disco

Dear Poptastic Readers,

We just saw on Rikky Disco's Instagram page that they have a new song out on September 29th called "Set Me Free." We went to their Spotify page and saw that they had a release in August! D'oh! Better late than never. That song is called "Come Over" and it was done with Filip Grönlund.


"Come Over" is a lively dance pop track. Fanacy has some vocals that fly in the atmosphere and we are here for the flight! The music will have you dancing around the room in no time, until the beat drops out! But don't worry, it does pick back up. We've added the official audio to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on YouTube.


"Come Over" was written and produced by Christian Jonson, Fanny Ulrika Wahlqvist, and Filip Grönlund. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify


Cheers then,

—Davearama

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Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Delirious by Cindy Wilson

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Back in May, we featured the new song "Midnight" by Cindy Wilson (of The B-52s). She has since released her sophomore solo album Realms. We had a listen to the album and we love the track "Delirious."


"Delirious" continues the electro dance pop. It has a great melody and fantastic vocals from Cindy. The music will have you wanting to dance around the room. We've added the official audio to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on YouTube ...


"Delirious" was written and produced by Cindy Wilson and Sony Lyons. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify


Cheers then,

—Davearama

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Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Where Do We Go From Here? by Agnetha Fältskog

Dear Poptastic Readers,

ABBA singer Agnetha Fältskog is back with a new song called "Where Do We Go From Here?" Back in 2013, we featured her song "When You Really Loved Someone" and in 2021, we featured new songs "I Still Have Faith In You" and "Don't Shut Me Down" by ABBA.


"Where Do We Go From Here?" is pleasant pop song with a big chorus. It's about rekindling a love again. Agnetha sounds amazing as always. The music video is an animated delight. We've added it to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on YouTube ...


"Where Do We Go From Here?" was written by Jörgen Elofsson and Camilla Bayrak. It was produced by Hybrid and Jörgen Elofsson.  It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify


Cheers then,
—Davearama

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Monday, September 18, 2023

When The Rain Comes by Sugababes

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Sugababes are back with a brand new song called "When The Rain Comes." Hooray! In January of this year, Normski and Davearama reviewed their album The Lost Tapes, which was released on Christmas Eve. You may also remember that their remake of "Flowers" with DJ Spoony was #7 in our Top 101 Songs of 2019 and their song "Flatline" was #11 in our Top Songs of 2013.


"When The Rain Comes" is mid-tempo groove. Mutya sings verses, Siobhan sings the first bridge, and Keisha is on the second bridge. The chorus sounds amazing when they all sing together. It's a definitely a nice song that is more in line with some of their sleeper songs. Maybe it isn't instantly catchy at first, but hopefully it is a grower. We've added the official audio to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on YouTube ...



"When The Rain Comes" was written by George Moore, Iain James, Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena, and Siobhan Donaghy. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. You'll also hear other songs from their album The Lost Tapes there.


Love, Truth & Honesty,
—Sausi O'Sullivan

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Thursday, September 14, 2023

Ray-Bans by Dagny

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Norwegian artist Dagny has released her third single this year and the new song is called "Ray-Bans." You might remember her previous singles this year: "Heartbreak In The Making" and "Same Again (For Love)."


Lyrically, "Ray-Bans" follows Dagny's previous singles as they are all about heartbreak. She is hiding her tears with her Ray-Ban sunglasses. The song starts off a bit slow and somber. However, after the first chorus, the beat kicks in and the song turns into a mid-tempo melancholy song. We've added the official audio to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on YouTube ...


"Ray-Bans" was written by Dagny Norvoll Sandvik, Maureen McDonald, and Tyler Spry. It was produced by Tyler Spry, Simon Oscroft, and Oliver Lundström. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. You'll also hear her songs "Heartbreak In The Making" and "Same Again (For Love)" there.


Cheers then,
—Davearama

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Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Tears Of Faith by Parralox featuring Jane Badler

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Parralox has finally released their song "Tears Of Faith" as a single! YAY! You might remember the song was initially released on their 2019 album Genesis. If you haven't heard that amazing album, click the link to read our review.


The new single version of "Tears Of Faith" still has that Willie Wonka charm that we referred to in our album review. Singer Jane Badler (best known for per portrayal of the character Diana on the 80s TV show V) does a great job on vocals. The chorus is amazing. The music video is rather cute, and we've added it to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on YouTube ...


"Tears Of Fatih" was written by Lilli Auzou and John von Ahlen. It was produced by Adam Reinhart and John von Ahlen. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify


Cheers then,
—Davearama

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Thursday, September 7, 2023

Danse Macabre by Duran Duran

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Pop legends Duran Duran are back with a new song called "Danse Macabre" and the forthcoming album due in October has the same name. What does it mean? Well, it means "dance of death" and the album has a fun Halloween theme.

It has been said that Duran Duran never made the same record twice, and this might be the case with this song, as it sounds like nothing they have done before. It features an animated spoken verse, with droning bassline and drums that will have you tapping your foot. The chorus has female backing vocals, and the synths are very eerie. Fans of the group from the 90s will be delighted to know that former DD member Warren Cuccurullo is on guitars here. 

September 14, 2024 UPDATE: The music video is animated spooky delight. We've added it to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on YouTube ...


"Danse Macabre" was written by Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Roger Taylor and Benjamin Hudson McIldowie. It was produced by Duran Duran, Josh Blair, and Mr Hudson. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify


Cheers then,
—Davearama

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Friday, September 1, 2023

Tension by Kylie Minogue

Dear Poptastic Readers,

Kylie Minogue has released the third single from her forthcoming album Tension and the new song is the title track called "Tension." The previous singles from the album were "10 Out Of 10" and the legendary "Padam Padam."

"Padam Padam" was definitely the song of the summer, and any song would be hard to follow that. However, "Tension" picks up the pace and heads straight to the dance floor, and we are here for it. The video shows Kylie in many different characters ... take notice ... the same hotel room that was in the music video for "Dancing" and "Padam Padam" is also in this music video. What does it all mean? We've added the video to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on YouTube ...

"Tension" was written by Duck Blackwell, John Green, Anya Jones, Kamille, Kylie Minogue, and Biff Stannard. It was produced by Biff Stannard and Duck Blackwell. It is available on digital outlets everywhere. Buy your copy today! We've added it to our 2023 Poptastic Confessions Playlist on Spotify. You'll also hear "10 Out Of 10" and "Padam Padam" there!


Cheers then,
—Davearama

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