X + DVD [CD+DVD, PAL, Special Edition]

Barcode: 5099951395629

I'll start by talking about the great DVD you get with this special edition version of the album. It's got the video for 2 Hearts and a trailer for White Diamond but most importantly, it's got Kylie going through the album track by track, talking about her thoughts on the songs. She looks so cute as she gives us a run down on what was going through her head at the time and all the details of the recording process - it's a fascinating insight for Kylie fans and i could watch it over and over again. Plus, how awesome is the cover of this album, even better than the original one. I love the black and the sparkly red bits!

I've listened to X a fair few times now and i have fallen completely in love with it. More consistent than Fever and Body Language it succeeds in effortlessly blending Kylie's various sounds into one single masterpiece. It's got the dark, stylish electro of Body Language mixed with the light, superbly catchy dance-pop of Fever and touches of Kylie's more experimental, personal side that shone through in her stand-out album, Impossible Princess - in fact, if i was to compare X to any other Kylie album it'd be that one.

Kylie as a person remains just as cute and charming as always - her voice once again on top form with this album. The tracks are sensual, fun and above all just quite simply amazing. And the album cover! It's totally Wow!

The album kicks off with glam-tastic 2 Hearts. It's maybe not were some were expecting but i personally love it. Along with In My Arms and Wow, this is very much Kylie doing what she does best in coming up with great pop songs. That vital essence of fun is conveyed in all three of the videos that have already been made for the album and crucially, just add more to the wonder and sparkle of the tracks.

Moving on, Like A Drug and Speakerphone are very much indicative of Kylie's current electro-pop sound which she has taken up with much gusto. It fits her voice perfectly and both are hypnotic, counterposing her delicate vocals against killer synth basslines.

Sensitized is a really interesting track and perhaps the one most indicative of influences from the aforementioned Impossible Princess album. An epic medley of strings and featuring a sample from a Serge Gainsbourg song it's one of those songs that is just heavenly as it launches into a brilliant chorus.

Of course, almost every album has points which aren't the strongest and on X, this comes in the form of Heart Beat Rock and Nu-Di-Ty. Both are fun tracks but don't have the depth or power of the other tracks o0 nthe album. The former is the second of the Calvin Harris productions and brings to mind Gwen Stefani's 'Wind It Up'. I think when listening to the album as a whole they become far more likable, fitting in with overall feel of the complete album and in that respect i can totally see why Kylie included them.

And then we get to The One, the first of the 5 song slice of perfection that lies at the heart of X, the heart that makes the album so magical. As soon as that epic guitar hook kick in you know you've got something special with this track. I have high hopes for the song as a future single and can't wait to see Kylie perform it live.

No More Rain and Cosmic present some of the more downbeat, stripped back material on the album. The former is a beautiful blend of acoustic guitar and lush touches of strings and electronica with an exceptionally cute vocal from Kylie - the chorus in particular is amazing. Both songs are very personal to Kylie and that comes across very strongly in them.

All I See is another interesting track, Touching back to Kylie's R&B stylings on Body Language. Initially i didn't think that much of the song but the more i listened to it i realised how well done it was, exceeding in the way it portrayed just how versatile Kylie is, slipping effortlessly into a melting pot of genres all within one album.

Stars is a personal favourite of mine, one of Kylie's most guitar based song since the days of Impossible Princess. It's very New Order and epic in its beauty.

So all in all, X is incredibly listenable and a must for fans of Kylie and pop music alike. 20 years on and Kylie is still going strong, X, one of her strongest albums, being proof of that.

Just listened to this whole album and have to say its absolutely excellent! - Lots of personal touches, some kookiness and pure pop indulgence all with a fresh 2007 size 3 Kylie footprint.

I wasnt entirely sure when I first heard '2Hearts', but yeah it fits right in here... although there are SO many hit singles on here - namely 'The One' (soaring pop a little bit like Cher's 'Believe' if you ask me!), The best track is the sugar coated 'Wow' (Kylie in pigtails and glitter gives you a good idea!). 'Like A Drug' also really stands out, very electro with a killer hook.

Other standouts are the slightly left of the middle 'Speakerphone', 'Heart Beat Rock' and 'Nu-di-ty' , all really catchy but cant put my finger on just why hehe! - Also have to mention the excellent 'No More Rain' - a retropect look on Kylie's recovery over the past 2 years it would seem...

Altogether definitely the album of 2007.. grab a bottle of wine, stick it on, snog your mates, and smile...

I have heard this album several times now. I was interested to see what it would be like after such a gap. It's been a long time since Kylie released a truly great record. 'I Believe In You' might have a been a classic Kylie single, but the 'Body Language' album was in my opinion a disappointment overall - despite some great moments like 'Slow', 'Still Standing' and 'Sweet Music'.

I've liked Kylie since the beginning. I've always wanted her to do well, create classic records. I'll admit being nervous about 'X'. '2 Hearts' does not sound like anything else on this album. It seems to have caused a spilt with other fans. I think it makes more sense when it's heard here on the album.

What I think about 'X' is this. I think it's by far the best 'album' Kylie has made. There are loads of songs on it which could make it as singles. Personally, the dark electro 'Like A Drug', the Calvin Harris penned sugar-rush euphoria of 'In My Arms', the slightly Europop-ness (in a good way) of 'The One' and the Cathy Dennis 'Wow' (which I think sound like a cross between 'Love At First Sight' and Madonna's 'Holiday') are for me the standouts. They could all be classic Kylie singles. There are very few - if any if I'm being honest - that I dislike.

As an artist, this is a really important album for Kylie so she can re-establish herself musically. As we all know, she's been away. But it's brilliant. It's absolutely her, the sleeve art is gorgeous, the songs really stand up, and they also sound ace very, very loud. This is the Kylie album I've been waiting (and hoping) for. It's so great to have her back looking and sounding better than ever.