Kim Wilde - Here Come The Aliens (2018)

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Kim Wilde - Here Come The Aliens (2018)

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No, not maybe. I AM amazed. With "Kids In America" in 1982, young Kim Wilde helped to nudge me in the direction of New Wave. The amazing thing is that now, 36 years later, this talented lady has created an album that is fantastic in every aspect, and she still sounds young. There is not one dull track on this album. I assume that all of these songs are new material; they were composed by the Wildes - Kim, brother Ricky, niece Scarlett - and a few other collaborators, in various combinations. The lyrics, melodies, chord changes and instrumental arrangements are varied and unusual. There are lots of delightful details to discover, way too many to list. The tracks contain many different styles: pop-rock, glam, electro-pop, techno, ballads, dramatic mid-tempos. All of it is very well done. "1969" and "Addicted To You" are strong electro-pop tracks. "Kandy Krush" is speedy pop. "Solstice" begins as a simple piano ballad and ends as a power ballad. "Cyber Nation War" is a dramatic mid-tempo track, and "Rosetta" is a quieter mid-tempo with a more sophisticated arrangement. These are generalized examples. It would take too long to describe every track, because several incorporate combinations of styles. The key words are variety, quality and energy.

Since the album is called "Here Come The Aliens", I wondered if that theme would pervade the album. Not really. The first and last songs have lyrics that relate to that theme. "1969" tells of the first moonwalk, and refers to aliens who Kim says are "hiding out there somewhere in the galaxy" and watching her. The final track, "Rosetta", asks, "Tell us from where we've come and who we are/Are we the dust of a distant star?" Another recurring theme is the need for love, not just affection, but physical love. "Kandy Krush" says, "Take a chance make it nice and slow..oh, oh, oh..Touch me I'll follow and I'll show you where to go." And in "Addicted To You", Kim urges, "It doesn't take a second glance/For me to see the lust you feel…So take it now and fix me good." An interesting idea that I don't think I have ever seen in a pop song is the danger inherent in "Cyber Nation War": "Words have the power to kill/Better think twice 'bout the message you send…How can you be so cruel?" And Kim's love for music is firmly stated in "Pop Don't Stop" ("Give me Pop. Pop music, don't stop…Give me Hip-Hop Rock and give me Punk, give me Funk") and in "Stereo Shot" (Intoxicate your taste for radio…With pure addiction feed your kicks for sound").

What is there left to say? The most amazing news is that Kim sounds as good as she ever has, maybe better. Her voice is excellent no matter what she is singing. My praise may seem over the top, but I am just very impressed by this album, the best album of new music I have heard in ages. I have tried, and maybe failed, to tell you why. You be the judge.

Review by Steven Haarala, Amazon.com

What an amazing album to come back to the UK, I don't understand why the last three excellent albums Never say never, Come out and play and Snapshots were not released here properly and with the push they deserved, but that's another story… This album is full of upbeat pop/rock sounds, very Kim Wilde but also very current sound. Her voice sounds amazing as she belts out the tracks. Lets hope this gives her the album sales she deserves, it already seems to have been marketed very well. I believe this will be played by me for years…

Review by Woody, Amazon.co.uk

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Kim Wilde - Here Come The Aliens (2018)

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Kim Wilde - Here Come The Aliens (2018)

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Kim Wilde - Here Come The Aliens (2018)

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