Kylie Minogue’s new album Golden is out today. The OUTinPerth team were up early to grab a copy of the singer’s latest offering and the album lives up to it’s promise of being infused with a country sound, only one or two tracks are not filled with banjos plucks and yeah-haws.

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While some fans might not like the turn to Nashville this is probably one of Kylie’s most cohesive albums with a theme flowing throughout the record but musically and lyrically.

The album opens with the single Dancing which cleverly mixes dance beats with a country vibe. The beauty of this song though is it’s affirmative lyrics. The declaration that “When I go out I want to go out dancing” serving both as a call to the dance floor and a philosophy on living life to the fullest.

Stop Me From Falling is the album’s second single and the hoe-down sounds continue. This tune is one that you immediately want to sing a long to. At three minutes of length its perfect slice of pop.

Title track Golden is a little more sedate and there an odd native American Indian sounding war cry in the background. It’s  a positive tune as Kylie sings about getting knocked down and getting back up again.

Plucked guitars open up A Lifetime to Repair and the country sound is stronger than ever. It’s a personal song as Kylie sings about how she thought she was about to settle down but she’d rather be happier instead. There’s a nice juxtaposition between the plucky verses and the slowed down chorus. Later in the tune some fiddles come in pushing fully into Dolly Parton territory.

Things slow down for Sincerely Yours with Kylie singing about putting all her thoughts down in a love letter. This song is not overtly country and it one you might skip over.

We’re back in the wild west for One Last Kiss, it’s a galloping thigh slapping tome about keeping it together while desiring just one last kiss. This one to get your boot-scooting boots on for.

Little by Little is a powerful declaration of determination with Kylie declaring she’s ‘never gonna fail no matter whatever stands in her way’ and that ‘she’ll do whatever it takes, you’ll never keep her down’. This one’s very catchy.

Shelby ’68 is a song about taking a ride in a car. A slower number and a real story time tune, that gradually develops. This once’s a bit of a cringe as Kylie sings “I know your going to break my heart, when I get in your car.”

Tumbling guitars and warm keyboards fill Radio On, this really sounds like something Tina Arena would record. It’s a song about driving in your car with the radio on.

Love – it’s a lovely tune about what love is. Is love a pair of heels? Is it a disco ball shining on us all?

The best tune on the album is without doubt Raining Glitter this is well a truly a disco dance floor thumper with it’s call for everyone to put you hands up to the sky and background ‘whoop’ calls.

The albums ends with a stunning duet. Kylie teams up with British singer Jack Savoretti for Music’s Too Sad Without You. The longest tune on the album, it’s very luscious.

Without doubt Kylie is embracing some Cowboy Style, something she’s rarely touched in her career. This is an album that will divide fans but it’s great to see Kylie trying something different.

Golden is out today. 

Graeme Watson