Author: Pop Martzoo

Kylie Minogue ‘Tension’

Pop Martzoo , , , , ,

Australia’s Princess of Pop Kylie Minogue has just served up her sixteenth studio album of dance pop perfection aptly titled, Tension. After already setting the dance charts on fire with lead single “Padam Padam” and the title track as its follow-up, Tension is jam-packed with 14 other club bangers to build the tension to a fevered pitch. Minogue’s latest is 53 minutes of dance euphoria that many are calling the best album of her decade-spanning career. For this sizzling follow-up to 2020’s pandemic savior Disco, Minogue enlisted help from long-time collaborators Biff Stannard, Jackson Foote, Duck Blackwell, PhD and Cutfather.

Tension also features “10 Out of 10,” Minogue’s frenetic collaboration with Oliver Heldens, plus standout track “Vegas High,” which is sure to be included in Minogue’s first Las Vegas residency show, More Than Just a Residency, premiering in November 2023. Other album highlights included are the contemplative “Just Imagine,” the reeling “Somebody to Love” and the sultry “Heavenly Body,” the latter of which is one of two extra bonus tracks available for a limited time only at Kylie.com.

Jake Shears ‘Last Man Dancing’

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Former frontman of Scissor Scissors, Jake Shears delivers his second solo album just in time to get your booty shaking and your body sweating. The pulsating dance beats of “Too Much Music,” “I Used To Be In Love” as well as the sizzling title track are the biggest stars of the show, but Last Man Dancing is a non-stop, hand-claping, ass-shaking musical destination to ecstasy. Jake Shears’ Last Man Dancing is not only the solo album you’ve been waiting for, but also THE party album of the summer.

Love to Love Donna Summer

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In lieu of tonight’s premiere of the documentary Love to Love You, Donna on HBO Max, as well as the recent anniversary of Donna Summer’s passing (May 17, 2012), I’ve spent a lot of time recently revisiting her catalog via my old and new vinyl albums and twelve-inch singles. Summer’s musical journey was and is still a very integral part of the soundtrack of my life, which encompasses my youth and adulthood. Listening to “I Feel Love,” “MacArthur Park Suite,” “Journey to the Centre of Your Heart” and the euphoria of the non-stop electronica of “Our Love,” “Lucky” and “Sunset People” not only transports me back in time, but also to another plane of consciousness.   

Although Donna Summer is no longer with us in the physical realm, her musical legacy will not soon be forgotten. I look forward to the new documentary co-directed by Roger Ross Williams (Music by Prudence, God Loves Uganda) and Summer’s daughter Brooklyn Sudano. The buzz surrounding Love to Love You, Donna has concurrently filled me with curiosity and anticipation.

Happy New Year?

Pop Martzoo

Another year is upon us, but do we dare hope for the best? I feel doubtful at best as the last four years have been far beyond major disappointments. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, I was surprisingly and sadistically proven wrong.

So, let’s take a deep breath, cross our fingers, close our eyes and jump into 2022. Happy New Year?!

The Tribal Rites of New Year’s Eve

Pop Martzoo

Over the decades, New Year’s Eve has steadily devolved into a ceremonial ritual for the inconsiderately narcissistic. Celebrating the arrival of a new year has become nothing more than a feverishly desperate need to be seen, to be noticed and most of all, a primal urge to stave off loneliness. Getting drunk, hooking up and being seen on television and/or social media is now the new standard for ringing in New Year’s Day.

This year is certainly no exception, but the end of 2021 also comes attached with the dangerous spike of a deadly virus’ latest variation. I can’t help but wonder how many people attending tonight’s super-spreader events will begin the new year with regret and remorse.

So, for auld lang syne, Happy New Year to all and to all a good night.

Adele: ’30’

Pop Martzoo ,

With all the buzz and hype already surrounding the latest album by Adele, I’m going to cut right to the chase by saying I’m having a hard time connecting with her fourth album, 30. Yes, I know it’s breaking records and is well on its way to becoming the biggest selling album of 2021, but none of that matters to me. All that matters is the music she’s presented here, which I’m sorrow to say is not as powerful as Adele’s previous output.

The album’s lead single “Easy On Me” is the highlight here, but nothing else on 30 is as compelling. Album closer “Love Is a Game” is the next best track, but the rest is just mediocre at best. Sadly, I’m beginning to come to terms with the fact that Adele may be one of those artists that reached her peak at the early stage of her career. If I had to sum up 30 in one word it would be: disappointing.