In a demonstration of romantic hedonism, noughties pop icon Sophie Ellis-Bextor makes a confident and adventurous return with her eighth studio album, ‘Perimenopop’. Filled with dynamic scenes of spinning disco balls, vibrant celebrations, and neon lights, her latest creation celebrates the essence of endless adventure. Influenced by a shift in perspective, enhanced by fresh viewpoints, the nurturing experience of motherhood, and a deeper sense of self-acceptance, ‘Perimenopop’ offers a bold revisitation of her musical past while venturing into new realms of rhythm and style, nearly 20 years after 2001’s ‘Read My Lips’. The familiar sounds are reinvigorated, this time unrefined by over-polishing.
“I genuinely enjoy growing older,” the singer-songwriter shares regarding the album. “There’s so much happiness in better understanding yourself as you age, and that’s where you’ll discover my kind of pop.”
The cinematic cult hit of 2023, Saltburn, sparked a revival of ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’, which subsequently climbed to number two on the UK Singles Chart and amassed over 13 billion global streams across all streaming and social platforms. Ellis-Bextor explains that this surge propelled her forward for what was already in progress with her latest album.
Beginning with the rhythm-driven funk anthem ‘Relentless Love’ and the moody techno-inspired track ‘Vertigo’, the album experiments with a variety of dance-infused pop styles that both honor Ellis-Bextor’s origins and subtly explore new sound avenues.
Co-written with prominent hitmakers such as MNEK, Nile Rodgers, Sigrid, and Finn Keane (who contributed to Charli XCX’s upcoming 2024 album ‘Brat’), there’s a palpable sense of each songwriter’s unique touch throughout the record, blending syncopated funk beats with MNEK’s sultry, polished production on ‘Taste’, enhanced by Ellis-Bextor’s signature sweet vocals. Funk basslines churn beneath the chorus that expresses love and desire. Following closely, Keane’s co-written track ‘Heart Sing’ showcases a mix of 80s synths with club-inspired production reminiscent of ‘Brat’, pushing the disco vibe forward.
‘Dolce Vita’ calls back to Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s beginnings, incorporating mid-tempo rhythms and bursts of high-pitched synths that zip across the soundscape like brilliant lasers—evocative of summer parties and nostalgic late-night clubbing in true ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ style. The self-titled chorus gracefully and enticingly explodes into Ellis-Bextor’s characteristic sugary vocals.
However, there are a few instances that seem slightly underwhelming; midway through the album, the pace and exploration lose some of the allure and energy present in the first half. Surprisingly, Hardcourt and Rodgers’ ‘Diamond In The Dark’ falls flat when compared to the album’s disco-driven tracks like ‘Relentless Love’ and ‘Stay On Me’. Nevertheless, ‘Perimenopop’ is commendable for its refusal to be constrained. “I want people to feel fearless,” Ellis-Bextor asserts, “and I certainly wasn’t concerned about whether it was cool.”
Providing a comforting and cathartic space for disco, funk, and genre-crossing collaborations, Sophie Ellis-Bextor truly shines on ‘Perimenopop’. Her resistance to conform to societal expectations of aging allows her to grow as an artist while still preserving a hint of that 00s pop enchantment.
7/10
Words: Maddy Smith
Bob Dylan and David Bowie are both legendary figures in music, yet their exchanges were occasionally rather chilly. Like many from his era, David Bowie was
The dynamic between Mick Jagger and Brian Jones was never uncomplicated. Together, they elevated the Rolling Stones to global fame, but
In a showcase of romantic indulgence, noughties pop icon Sophie Ellis-Bextor makes a confident and daring comeback with her eighth studio album ‘Perimenopop’. Filled with