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A Few Words About Kylie's New Single
A true entertainer dares to step out of the box once in a while. Even in the cookie-cutter pop world.
Remember that odd groove of "Sexyback" or that sexy new look in the "Papa Don't Preach" video two decades back? Some random examples to show that Kylie tried to accomplish something similar.
Instead of serving up the same ole' electro, the pop princess brings us a catchy alt-glam ditty that is still sleek, stylish and très sassy.
But fan opinions are surprisingly mixed.
Clearly, Kylie fans like their idol in a certain way. Opinions range from "Roisin Murphy's new album is better than this" to "I love it. It will be huge," and from "It's bloody awful. I'm so f*cking angry" to "Really, it is quite awful. The reaction's going to be so negative with non-Kylie fans."
I think the comparison with Roisin Murphy is interesting. Both artist come from a completely different angle, but will likely appeal to the same fanbase. Personally, I believe Roisin has a heads up on Kylie. Her collaboration with hot, obscure talents like Ill Factor and Seji really took her game to a whole new level. It is gutsy, raw, deliciously catchy and, dare I say, a tad intellectual. Plus, Roisin's love affair with Gareth Pugh makes for some serious eye candy, which is an important reason for many people new to Roisin to sit up and pay attention.
I'm curious how this new Kylie's new track will do in the international pop charts (it has absolutely no chance in America). I'm even more curious to see how Roisin will fare alongside of her.
October 10, 2007 in A Few Words, Kylie Minogue, Róisín Murphy | Permalink
Comments
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did she even record new backing vocals? The woo sounds like its from the Kish Mauve version and not Kylie...
i'm curious what the Kish Mauve Remix will sound like...
Posted by: Ru at Oct 10, 2007 9:26:55 AM
I love the song, but it isn't playing on my iPod on the same level as "Let Me Know".
Posted by: Made In Brazil at Oct 10, 2007 9:43:10 AM
Oh! This is SO tough. I just can't compare Kylie and Roisin. I've been fans of both, for what feels like forever. Kylie has challanged her fans with her music and even "Body Language" to me is a classic album. She has a way of spinning current pop music in her own way. Her sound is much more immediate. BUT this song is a direct copy and this is the first time I've felt like Kylie is just a singer, not an artist. Had I never heard the original demo, I think I would feel differently.
Roisin has always been intellectual and smart. She is avant garde in the true sense of the word. She is someone people have been using as inspirtation for years. Her lyrics are amazing and she seems to be a real "artist" - taking control and doing it all herself.
I think this is an instance of Roisin being the new kid on the block. This is her time I think.
I love the Kylie video and the artwork though. Really great stuff.
Posted by: Brent at Oct 10, 2007 11:01:42 AM
Pop fans always know how to take something and really run with it.
Even if fans don't like it because it isn't the same 4/4 dance beat she always puts out. It'll still chart big because she is someone who has been around the UK scene forever and ever and now she has all kinds of leverage post-cancer to get away with a recording of her eating toast. Once musicians reach a certain credibility all their stuff goes to the top without much effort. How else would Madonna's bland "Sorry" have stayed at number one for weeks?
If Kylie would have stuck with another electro-wonder people would have complained it was "too samey" Brit pop fanatics are finicky. Roisin Murphy is wayyyy too obscure to garner commercial attention. I mean Overpowered peaked at number 190 something? And her singles from the last album didnt even chart. So some of these responses are hyperbolic at best.
Posted by: Mac at Oct 10, 2007 12:32:27 PM
I think its brilliant.
I absolutely love and respect artists that do something different from their normal comfort zone.
and that's what I love about Roisin and Kylie...
roisin's last few albums have had a few kitschy and quirky songs that have made their way onto a lot of TV shows in the US, but no charts (I wish I lived overseas!).
It definitely seems that this time around, she's making very catchy dance-pop-electro, and not the normal Roisin fare. I think its fantastic and show's amazing growth and spunk.
And with Kylie's new single, she's doing something quite different as well. I was a little unsure during the first few seconds of hearing it, but the instant the "woo woo's" come in, I was hooked. I will have this on heavy rotation on the 'pod.
Posted by: imatoy at Oct 10, 2007 1:20:00 PM
It's so incredibly dull and the video is such a complete rip-off of Goldfrapp's "Ooh La La". This isn't brave or exciting music. It's just a rehash of stuff that was done much better two years ago by Goldfrapp. The track just chugs along and goes absolutely nowhere. Major disappointment.
Posted by: John at Oct 10, 2007 1:36:55 PM
I just looooooooooooooooove the song and i think that the more u listen to it and the more u will be hooked on it!! Kylie looks so gorgeous on the video like a reinvention of marilyn on acid rock!! brilliant and of course so far away from all those songs leaked on to internet in the past months. Don't misunderstand me i loved the songs from internet but they didn't say anything more about kylie as an artist! That song does and that that is what really matters!!! I like roisin murphy 's songs but she doesn't bring anything to what for instance godfrap did except she's better! Kylie is nowhere on the goldfrapp/murphy planet! Kylie is a longtime survivor she's been there for so long!!! NO COMPARISON POSSIBLE§§
Posted by: olivier at Oct 10, 2007 2:53:10 PM
As soon as I heard it I thought "Goldfrapp"... But this song is also who Kylie is: an artist who often likes to distance herself from herself. We've seen that so many times in the past (when she worked with Manic Street Preachers for example...).
Posted by: Anthony at Oct 10, 2007 4:36:37 PM
She discarded tracks by Hot Chip, Mylo and Scissor Sisters for THIS?
I do love Kylie, and it is so good to have her back! I just thought she'd be back with a roar, not a whimper.
I can't compare her with Roisin, but does anyone else agree with me that she looks like Breathless Mahoney aka Madge in the video? I kept expecting her break into Hanky Panky.
Posted by: Bundy at Oct 10, 2007 6:22:13 PM
I love it! Kudos to her for not staying in the status quo. And as far as the Roisin Murphy similarity, she's borrowing more from Alison Goldfrapp IMO. And I don't remember people hating on Madonna for stealing from her musically or stylewise (or from stealing from Kylie for that matter).
Everyone in the music business is "influenced" by the music they personally like. Bowie did/does the same with almost every album he makes. Thats why we like him ourselves!
Three words Kylie: Fab-U-Lous!
Posted by: nojarama at Oct 10, 2007 7:01:13 PM
It is a nice change for Kylie, but I wish i'd never heard the Kish Mauve version so this would have been a surprise. She's also got all sorts of whack imagery in the video. Glamfrapp vs Marilyn Monroe vs skulls. WTF?
Roisin is honestly on a different plane of artistry. Much more indie and because of that she has more freedom.
Posted by: xolondon at Oct 10, 2007 7:01:34 PM
Nojarama, the very idea that Madonna has ever stolen a single idea from Kylie is utterly ludicrous. Get a grip!
Posted by: John at Oct 10, 2007 7:43:57 PM
I like the song. It's different and fun and outside the Kylie box. The video seems like a rip off of Goldfrapp's Ooh La La if you ask me. :)
Posted by: Matt G at Oct 10, 2007 8:06:13 PM
i totally agree with brent, you just cant compare indie artists to global legands that extend decades! i Hated some of your comments like "it has no chance at all at the american market", hey! its a good song! some people will like it, some wont, but some still WILL! expected more from you Arjan. i Loved it, its very scissor sisters and Kylie and Sexy. fuck roisin though i like her, viva kylie
Posted by: john at Oct 10, 2007 9:58:34 PM
I'm not a Kylie fan...don't really know any of her songs except for "Cant Get You Out Of my Head" or whatever it was called...but I kinda like this song...i say two thumbs up
Posted by: Jeff at Oct 11, 2007 12:07:22 AM
U can't really judge Kylie's comeback before listening the full X album. I got my promo copy 2 days ago. And each day i play it on my stereo i think this album kicks ass. It sounds like Goldrapp meets MIA (yes !) meets Fischerspooner meets Robyn meets Daft Punk meets Lo Fi Fnk meets Mylo. FANTASTIC !
Posted by: Jewel at Oct 11, 2007 5:22:34 AM
Roisin Murphy?? Pffff! The very instant she opened her mouth, I thought she was channeling Alison Goldfrapp. The look, the glam rock outfit, the style...she was "borrowing" heavily again.
Despite that, I love that she went out of her "box" and gave us something "fresh" for Kylie.
Posted by: Reuben at Oct 11, 2007 8:03:33 AM
New Phrase = Kylieoke
Definition: Kylie singing an exact remake of a song. See "2 Hearts" or perhaps even "Locomotion."
Sorry, but I just had to say it. I love it none the less. It is totally growing on me.
Posted by: Brent at Oct 11, 2007 10:49:45 AM
Not what I expected all… and that's good! It's a fun song and Kylie's having fun with it. Go Kylie! And as far as the new look goes, I seriously cannot imagine anyone else in a see-through jumpsuit but Kylie. And don't you just love her walk down the stage to get her mic in that getup? Smashing!
Posted by: Alec Sarkas at Oct 11, 2007 12:20:13 PM
