Kylie Minogue
Kiss Me Once
(Warner Bros.)
Kylie Minogue’s music is no stranger to the dance floor, especially at the gay bar, and this dance and pop singer still has it. The new album, her 12th, is riddled with addictive hooks and danceable beats. I found my newest workout favorite in “Sexercize.” Even though listening to the song alone makes me want to do some ab routines, it’s appropriately sultry. Decent bass beats and catchy rhythms made me enjoy just about the entire album. “If Only” was a song that stayed in my head for days. I still hear the Madonna influences for sure. I loved the duet “Beautiful,” not only because I’m a sucker for Enrique Iglesias music, but also because it’s rather good. Other good songs are “I Was Gonna Cancel” and “Sexy Love.”
Boy George
This Is What I Do
(Very Me Records/Kobalt)
After 18 years, Boy George has a released a new solo album of original material, and it’s not horrible. These are fresh tunes from the one-time Grammy winner. Though Boy George has matured quite a bit, it’s obvious on the album that he’s still very much influenced by jazz, funk and reggae. This combination makes the album rather lighthearted and easy to listen to. Its reggae songs are by far my favorites. They simply cheer me up. My top two are “My Star” and “Nice and Slow.” which are both reggae. When people think of Boy George, they think of parties and androgyny, and after this album, my image of him hasn’t changed. I do have to admit, though, that I did enjoy his cover of “Video Games” by Lana Del Rey. Yes, it’s true.
Christina Perri
Head or Heart
(Atlantic)
Fans of Christina Perri’s previous hit songs “Jar of Hearts” and, from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn ― Part 1, “A Thousand Years,” will definitely enjoy this new album. It’s a similar style of pop with some slower and more serious undertones. That is the style that she’s known for, but she also shows several times here that she can sing much happier songs. The upbeat “Be My Forever” featuring Ed Sheeran is wonderful and features a piano sound similar to Ben Folds’ style, with a catchy and bouncy chorus. I really like the song “Run” because of how it showcases Perri’s vocal range. Her talent is definitely highlighted here. But by far my favorite song on the album is “Lonely Child.” I’ve already added it to all of my play-lists. I can’t get enough of it.
Cyndi Lauper
She’s So Unusual: A 30th Anniversary Celebration
(Portrait/Epic/Legacy)
After her success with writing the music for Kinky Boots, the Broadway musical, Lauper has reissued her debut album with some extras added. I was born in the ’80s, so I consider myself more of a ’90s kid, but Lauper’s influence was still very much apparent in those days. Listening to this CD made me feel like a kid again. It’s a wonderful trip back in time. Everyone today still knows the chorus to “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” I still love “Time After Time,” which will probably be used in movies about the ’80s until the end of time. My favorites on this album were two remixes of “Time After Time” ― from Nervo Back in Time and Bent Collective.