Step Back in Time: The Definitive Collection | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Greatest hits album by | ||||
Released | 28 June 2019 | |||
Recorded | 1987–2019 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length |
| |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
| |||
Kylie Minogue chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Step Back in Time: The Definitive Collection | ||||
|
Step Back in Time: The Definitive Collection is a greatest hits album by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. It was released on various formats on 28 June 2019 by BMG Rights Management, serving as her first compilation with the label. Minogue confirmed the record in May 2019, after teasing initial content on social media and her website. The album's original content includes forty-two songs, dating back to Minogue's debut with PWL in 1987. In addition, an expanded version included another disc with eight additional tracks from her catalogue, as well as a megamix of various tracks from her career.
Step Back in Time: The Definitive Collection received positive reviews from music critics, who praised Minogue's extensive catalogue, with minor criticism directed at omitted content and packaging. The album was a commercial success, debuting at number one in both Australia and the United Kingdom, where it was certified gold in the latter. The record also reached the top ten in Spain, Belgium, and Switzerland, as well as component charts in the United States. Minogue promoted the album with the single "New York City" and embarked on a tour in mid-2019 throughout Europe, the Middle East, and South America.
Near the end of April 2019, Minogue hinted at a greatest hits release by sharing content from her music video for "Step Back in Time" on social media. [1] In addition, a countdown was added to her official website, which was set to end on May 3, but finished a day earlier. [2] Following the countdown, the website displayed the album's slogan: "Pop Precision Since 1987". She announced the album, Step Back in Time: The Definitive Collection, on her website, with pre-orders available the same day. [3] [4]
The album was planned to coincide with Minogue's 30th career anniversary, as well as her appearances at Glastonbury Festival, Brighton Pride, and other summer festivals that year. [5] It is Minogue's fifth greatest hits collection, after Greatest Hits (1992), Hits + (2000), Ultimate Kylie (2004), and The Best of Kylie Minogue (2012). [5] [a] Its title originates from her 1990 single of the same name, and it is her first compilation release with BMG Rights Management.
The album's original content consists of forty-two songs chosen from Minogue's singing career beginning in 1987; all tracks are arranged in an unchronological order. The first disc includes an unreleased track titled "New York City", which was recorded during the sessions for Minogue's fourteenth studio album Golden (2018). [10] The song "Breathe" appears on disc one between "2 Hearts" and "Red Blooded Woman" on the deluxe edition, whereas "New York City" appears as the final song on disc two as a hidden track. This track order is also followed by the cassette and digital versions of the original release, with the exception of "New York City". [11] Some tracks from Minogue's discography were omitted from the album's original release, which sparked criticism; [5] as a result, a third disc contains eight additional songs from her catalogue, as well as a megamix of Minogue's work lasting more than 40 minutes. [12]
Step Back in Time: The Definitive Collection was released on various formats on 28 June 2019 by BMG Rights Management. The album was released in two standard formats: digipack and 32-page hardcover book, both of which included two discs containing the album's material. [13] Three vinyl sets were released in various colours: black, mint, and picture disc. All vinyl formats contain only twenty of the original album's forty-two tracks, but each copy also included a digital copy. [14] Five two-set cassette tapes were also released in various colours, including clear, gold, green, pink, and white. [15] In November, BMG added additional content to the album; the expanded version was released as a three-disc digipak and digitally on Minogue's website. [12]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [16] |
Classic Pop Magazine | 8/10 [17] |
Spectrum Culture | [18] |
The Yorkshire Times | [19] |
Step Back in Time: The Definitive Collection garnered positive reviews from music critics. Tim Sendra of AllMusic gave the greatest hits album four stars, calling it a "fitting tribute" in time for Minogue's 30th career anniversary. Sendra described it as "truly definitive and essential" and concluded by saying "This collection shows just how often that happened, especially after she was able to gain control of her own career." [16] Graham Clark of The Yorkshire Times also awarded the album four stars, stating "In the fickle world of pop Kylie is still there at the top." [19] Mick Jacobs of Spectrum Culture praised the compilation's overall versatility, describing Minogue's dance songs and downtempo moments as having "enduring appeal". Jacobs went on to say, "Step Back in Time stands as a strong reminder of not just how prolific her career has been but also how much more of it we can expect." [18]
However, other critics noted the lack of new material and omitted singles. Classic Pop magazine gave it an 8 out of 10 rating and described it as a "nifty guide to one of the great modern pop careers". However, the reviewer felt it "isn't perfect" or "definitive". [17] Pip Ellwood-Hughes, writing for Entertainment Focus, praised how the album's release "will most likely build on the current wave of love for Kylie that's sweeping the UK". Ellwood-Hughes, on the other hand, called the album's packaging a "disappointment" and concluded that "those of us who've been with her since the start might feel just that little bit underwhelmed with the lack of added extras". [20] Quentin Harrison of Albumism wrote an article echoing similar sentiments about the lack of certain tracks on Step Back in Time, stating that Minogue's singles "Finer Feelings", "Where Is the Feeling?", "Some Kind of Bliss", "Flower", and "Into the Blue" should have been included on the album's original release. [21]
Step Back in Time: The Definitive Collection was a commercial success. It debuted at number one in Australia, becoming her sixth album to do so, and remained on the regional chart for four weeks. [22] It also reached number one on the Australian Albums Chart and Vinyl Albums Chart, making Minogue the first artist to top all three charts simultaneously. [23] In New Zealand, the album spent one week at number 27 on the regional chart. [24] In Ireland, it debuted at number four on the Irish Albums Chart, the week's highest entry. [25]
In the United Kingdom, Step Back in Time: The Definitive Collection debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, becoming Minogue's seventh number one there. [26] Furthermore, it debuted at number one on the UK Vinyl Chart and was the best-selling cassette that week. [27] Music Week reported that all formats sold 31,980 album-equivalent units in the region, with 25,992 of those units from physical sales, including 5,682 vinyl copies. [28] [29] The album spent a total of twenty weeks on the charts and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for shipments of 100,000 units in the country. [30]
In Spain, the album debuted at number five on the Spanish Albums Chart and spent a total of 12 weeks there. [31] Furthermore, it reached number nine in both Belgium (Flanders) and Switzerland (Romandy). [32] [33] It reached the top twenty in Switzerland and Germany, as well as the top forty in Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Italy, and Portugal. [b] Elsewhere, the album peaked at number 41 in Poland, and 45 in France. [42] [43] In the United States, the album reached number six on the Independent Albums chart, 32 on the Top Album Sales chart, and 23 on the Top Tastemaker Albums chart. [c]
The promotion for Step Back in Time: The Definitive Collection began with the release of the stand-alone single "New York City". The song was first added to Minogue's Golden Tour setlist and, due to popular demand, was announced to be included on the compilation. [47] [48] It debuted as a digital single on 3 May 2019, and was featured on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 and The Graham Norton Show the same day. [49] [50] [51] Six days later, Minogue's YouTube channel released a music video of the track featuring footage from her Golden Tour. [52]
Minogue went on tour in mid-2019 to promote the album. [53] The show was announced during the European leg of her Golden Tour, and additional dates were added to coincide with Minogue's appearance at the Glastonbury Festival 2019. [54] The show received positive reviews from publications, and her performance at Glastonbury received unanimous acclaim. Minogue's Glastonbury performance was the highest-rated show in history, with 3.9 million viewers. [55] [56] [57] Minogue also toured Europe, including stops in the United Arab Emirates and Brazil. [58] [59]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original album | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Can't Get You Out of My Head" | Fever (2001) | 3:50 | |
2. | "Spinning Around" |
| Light Years (2000) | 3:27 |
3. | "Love at First Sight" | Fever (2001) | 3:58 | |
4. | "Dancing" |
| Golden (2018) | 2:58 |
5. | "In Your Eyes" |
| Fever (2001) | 3:17 |
6. | "Slow" |
| Body Language (2003) | 3:13 |
7. | "All the Lovers" | Aphrodite (2010) | 3:20 | |
8. | "I Believe in You" |
| Ultimate Kylie (2004) | 3:20 |
9. | "In My Arms" |
| X (2007) | 3:31 |
10. | "On a Night Like This" |
| Light Years (2000) | 3:32 |
11. | "Your Disco Needs You" |
| Light Years (2000) | 3:32 |
12. | "Please Stay" |
| Light Years (2000) | 4:05 |
13. | "2 Hearts" |
| X (2007) | 2:53 |
14. | "Red Blooded Woman" |
| Body Language (2003) | 4:20 |
15. | "The One" |
| X (2007) | 4:04 |
16. | "Come into My World" |
| Fever (2001) | 4:06 |
17. | "Wow" |
| X (2007) | 3:12 |
18. | "Get Outta My Way" |
| Aphrodite (2010) | 3:39 |
19. | "Timebomb" |
| - | 2:57 |
20. | "Kids" (with Robbie Williams) |
| Light Years (2000) | 4:20 |
21. | "Stop Me from Falling" |
| Golden (2018) | 3:01 |
22. | "New York City" |
| Previously unreleased | 3:20 |
Total length: | 77:55 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Step Back in Time" | Rhythm of Love (1990) | 3:05 | |
2. | "Better the Devil You Know" |
| Rhythm of Love (1990) | 3:52 |
3. | "Hand on Your Heart" |
| Enjoy Yourself (1989) | 3:50 |
4. | "Wouldn't Change a Thing" |
| Enjoy Yourself (1989) | 3:12 |
5. | "Shocked" |
| Rhythm of Love (1990) | 3:08 |
6. | "Especially for You" (with Jason Donovan) |
| Enjoy Yourself (1989) | 3:58 |
7. | "I Should Be So Lucky" |
| Kylie (1988) | 3:22 |
8. | "Celebration" |
| Greatest Hits (1992) | 3:57 |
9. | "The Loco-Motion" (7" mix) | Kylie (1988) | 3:13 | |
10. | "Give Me Just a Little More Time" | Let's Get to It (1992) | 3:06 | |
11. | "Never Too Late" |
| Enjoy Yourself (1989) | 3:20 |
12. | "Got to Be Certain" |
| Kylie (1988) | 3:20 |
13. | "Tears on My Pillow" |
| Enjoy Yourself (1989) | 2:28 |
14. | "Je ne sais pas pourquoi" |
| Kylie (1988) | 4:02 |
15. | "What Kind of Fool (Heard All That Before)" |
| Greatest Hits (1992) | 3:44 |
16. | "What Do I Have to Do?" |
| Rhythm of Love (1990) | 3:34 |
17. | "Confide in Me" (radio mix) | Kylie Minogue (1994) | 4:26 | |
18. | "Breathe" (radio edit) |
| Impossible Princess (1997) | 3:40 |
19. | "Put Yourself in My Place" (radio mix) | Jimmy Harry | Kylie Minogue (1994) | 4:13 |
20. | "Where the Wild Roses Grow" (with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds) | Nick Cave | Murder Ballads (1996) | 3:57 |
Total length: | 71:17 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original album | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Into the Blue" |
| Kiss Me Once (2014) | 4:10 |
2. | "I Was Gonna Cancel" | Kiss Me Once (2014) | 3:32 | |
3. | "Chocolate" (radio edit) |
| Body Language (2003) | 4:02 |
4. | "Did It Again" (radio edit) |
| Impossible Princess (1997) | 3:45 |
5. | "Some Kind of Bliss" (radio edit) |
| Impossible Princess (1997) | 3:34 |
6. | "Word Is Out" |
| Let's Get to It (1992) | 3:35 |
7. | "If You Were With Me Now" |
| Let's Get to It (1992) | 3:10 |
8. | "It's No Secret" |
| Kylie (1988) | 3:57 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
9. | "Step Back in Time" (section) |
| 0:18 |
10. | "I Should Be So Lucky" |
| 2:08 |
11. | "What Do I Have to Do" |
| 2:15 |
12. | "Hand on Your Heart" |
| 2:30 |
13. | "Better the Devil You Know" |
| 1:38 |
14. | "Shocked" (DNA mix) |
| 2:13 |
15. | "Step Back in Time" |
| 2:21 |
16. | "Confide in Me" |
| 2:21 |
17. | "On a Night Like This" |
| 2:40 |
18. | "Your Disco Needs You" |
| 3:31 |
19. | "Spinning Around" |
| 2:24 |
20. | "Love at First Sight" |
| 2:52 |
21. | "Can't Get Blue Monday Out of My Head" |
| 3:46 |
22. | "The One" (instrumental) |
| 0:14 |
23. | "Slow" (acapella) |
| 1:18 |
24. | "The One" |
| 1:34 |
25. | "All the Lovers" |
| 3:16 |
26. | "Dancing" |
| 3:00 |
Total length: | 71:29 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original album | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Can't Get You Out of My Head" |
| Fever (2001) | 3:50 |
2. | "Spinning Around" |
| Light Years (2000) | 3:27 |
3. | "Love at First Sight" |
| Fever (2001) | 3:58 |
4. | "In Your Eyes" |
| Fever (2001) | 3:17 |
5. | "Slow" |
| Body Language (2003) | 3:13 |
6. | "All the Lovers" |
| Aphrodite (2010) | 3:20 |
7. | "I Believe in You" |
| Ultimate Kylie (2004) | 3:20 |
8. | "In My Arms" |
| X (2007) | 3:31 |
9. | "On a Night Like This" |
| Light Years (2000) | 3:32 |
10. | "Wow" |
| X (2007) | 3:12 |
11. | "Step Back in Time" |
| Rhythm of Love (1990) | 3:05 |
12. | "Better the Devil You Know" |
| Rhythm of Love (1990) | 3:52 |
13. | "Shocked" (DNA 7" mix) |
| Rhythm of Love (1990) | 3:08 |
14. | "I Should Be So Lucky" |
| Kylie (1988) | 3:22 |
15. | "Especially for You" (with Jason Donovan) |
| Enjoy Yourself (1989) | 3:58 |
16. | "Confide in Me" (radio mix) |
| Kylie Minogue (1994) | 4:26 |
17. | "Put Yourself in My Place" (radio mix) | Harry | Kylie Minogue (1994) | 4:13 |
18. | "2 Hearts" |
| X (2007) | 2:53 |
19. | "Kids" (with Robbie Williams) |
| Light Years (2000) | 4:20 |
20. | "Dancing" |
| Golden (2018) | 2:58 |
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI) [63] | Gold | 228,584 [30] |
Region | Date | Format(s) | Edition | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Various | 28 June 2019 |
| [13] [14] [15] | ||
Various | 22 November 2019 |
| Expanded |
| [12] |
Light Years is the seventh studio album by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. Mushroom Records released it on 22 September 2000 in Australia; Parlophone released it on 25 September 2000 in the United Kingdom. Following the commercial failure of Impossible Princess (1997), Minogue left Deconstruction Records and took a hiatus from recording music. She signed with Parlophone in June 1999 and decided to return to her pop roots. She worked with various writers and producers, including Steve Anderson, Johnny Douglas, Robbie Williams, Guy Chambers, and Mark Picchiotti.
Kylie Minogue is the fifth studio album recorded by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. Deconstruction released it in the United Kingdom on 19 September 1994, while a release was issued through Mushroom Records in Australia on the same date. After leaving Pete Waterman Entertainment, Minogue wanted to establish her credibility and signed with the independent record label Deconstruction in early 1993. She became involved with a diverse group of collaborators in order to experiment with different sounds. After generally unsuccessful sessions with Saint Etienne and The Rapino Brothers, Minogue collaborated with new producers including Brothers in Rhythm, M People, Farley & Heller, and Jimmy Harry.
Impossible Princess is the sixth studio album by Australian singer Kylie Minogue, released on 22 October 1997, by Deconstruction, BMG and Mushroom Records. The singer asserted greater creative control over the project — writing every song on the album and producing material for the first time — compared to her previous work, assisted by Brothers in Rhythm, Manic Street Preachers, David Ball and Rob Dougan. Influenced by the techno and Britpop revolution in the mid-to-late 1990s, sonically, Impossible Princess is a departure from Minogue's previous work. Conceived as an experimental record, the material encompasses a variety of darker styles from dance music, including trip hop, electronica, and rock. Lyrically, the album focuses on Minogue's self-discovery after a series of trips worldwide and delves into freedom of expression, relationships, and emotions.
Kylie is the debut studio album by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue, released on 4 July 1988 by Mushroom Records. Minogue had established herself as a child actress before signing to the record label in early 1987. The success of her debut single, "Locomotion", resulted in her working with Stock Aitken Waterman, who produced the album and wrote nine of its ten tracks. Their recording sessions, commencing in October 1987 in London and Melbourne, coincided with Minogue's filming schedule for the soap opera Neighbours.
Ultimate Kylie is the second major greatest hits album by Australian singer Kylie Minogue, and her first greatest hits released under her contract with Parlophone, her record company between 1999–2015. The compilation was released in many different formats including a two-disc edition and a deluxe double disc with a bonus DVD. A separate compilation DVD with the same name, was released to accompany the audio versions. The album includes two new tracks; its lead single, "I Believe in You", and the second single, "Giving You Up". A third track, "Made of Glass", was recorded for the album but not used; it was included on the physical releases of "Giving You Up".
"On a Night Like This" is a song by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue. It was released on 11 September 2000 by Parlophone and Mushroom Records as the second single for her seventh studio album, Light Years (2000), and was distributed in various formats. The track was originally recorded by Swedish singer Pandora and written by Steve Torch, Brian Rawling, Graham Stack, and Mark Taylor, while production was handled by the latter two, it was handed to Minogue to record. Musically, "On a Night Like This" is a Europop, dance-pop and house song that also incorporates elements of disco. Its lyrical content delves into experiencing unique, possibly sexual experiences during the night.
"I Should Be So Lucky" is a 1987 song performed by Australian singer and songwriter Kylie Minogue from her debut studio album, Kylie (1988). Released on 29 December 1987 by Mushroom Records and PWL Records, the song became a worldwide breakthrough hit. The image of Minogue on the front cover of the single was shot by David Levine. The song was written and produced by Stock Aitken Waterman for Minogue, whom went on to produce Minogue's initial four studio albums.
"Slow" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue from her ninth studio album, Body Language (2003). It was released as the lead single from the album by Festival Mushroom Records and Parlophone on 3 November 2003. The song was written by Minogue, Dan Carey, Emilíana Torrini, and produced by Carey, Torrini, and Sunnyroads. "Slow" is an electropop and synth-pop song in which Minogue invites a man to "slow down" and dance with her.
"Some Kind of Bliss" is a song by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue, for her sixth studio album, Impossible Princess (1997). The song was released as the lead single from the album on 8 September 1997 through BMG, Deconstruction and Mushroom. Minogue co-wrote the track with James Dean Bradfield and Sean Moore while Bradfield and Dave Eringa produced it. Backed by guitar and drum instruments, "Some Kind of Bliss" is a Britpop track in which Minogue sings about feeling happy.
"Red Blooded Woman" is a song recorded by Australian singer Kylie Minogue for her ninth studio album, Body Language (2003). Written by Johnny Douglas and Karen Poole and produced by the former, it is a hip hop and synth-pop track containing a vocoded "Boy! Boy!" hook and backing vocals from a choir, and was released by Parlophone as the second single from the album on 1 March 2004.
"Did It Again" is a song by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue, originally featured on her sixth studio album Impossible Princess (1997). The song was released as the album's second single on 24 November 1997 through Mushroom, Deconstruction, and BMG. Minogue had written the track with Steve Anderson and Dave Seaman, and it was produced by Minogue in collaboration with Brothers in Rhythm. Backed by guitars and drum, "Did It Again" is a pop rock track in which Minogue sings about her self-consciousness and self-hatred.
"Step Back in Time" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue from her third studio album, Rhythm of Love (1990). It was released as the album's second single on 22 October 1990, and distributed by PWL and Mushroom as a CD single, cassette tape and 12-inch and 7-inch singles. The track was written, arranged, and produced by Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, Pete Waterman, who are collectively known as Stock Aitken and Waterman, and was recorded in London, United Kingdom. Musically, it is a disco song that lyrically pays tribute to 1970s' culture.
"Where the Wild Roses Grow" is a murder ballad by Australian rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and pop singer Kylie Minogue. Released in October 1995, it is the fifth song and lead single from the band's ninth studio album, Murder Ballads (1996), released on Mute Records. It was written by the band's frontman, Nick Cave and produced by Tony Cohen and Victor Van Vugt. The accompanying music video was directed by Rocky Schenck.
"In My Arms" is a song recorded by Australian singer Kylie Minogue for her tenth studio album X (2007). It was written by Minogue, Paul Harris, Julian Peake, and its producers Calvin Harris and Richard "Biff" Stannard. The song was released as the third single from X on 13 February 2008, by Parlophone.
The albums discography of Australian singer Kylie Minogue consists of seventeen studio albums, nine live albums, thirteen compilation albums, nine extended plays (EP), thirteen remix albums and four box sets. She is recognised as the highest-selling Australian recording artist of all time by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), with an estimated career sales of over 80 million units worldwide. Minogue has eight number-one albums on the ARIA Albums Chart, the most for any female Australian artist. In the United Kingdom, she holds the record for being the first female artist to score a number one on the Official Albums Chart in five consecutive decades, from the 1980s to the 2020s.
The Best of Kylie Minogue is a 2012 greatest hits album by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue. It was released on 28 May 2012 by EMI to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of Minogue's recording career, as part of her K25 celebrations. It follows the previous major compilation albums Greatest Hits (1992) and Ultimate Kylie (2004). It is also Minogue's only major compilation not to include any new material or to include unreleased and rare material. The album consists of Minogue's major hits, spanning from her 1987 debut to her 2010 album project Aphrodite.
Golden is the fourteenth studio album by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. On 6 April 2018, BMG Rights Management and Minogue's company Darenote made it available in a variety of formats. This is Minogue's first album with BMG, and her first musical release since Kylie Christmas (2015). Minogue began work on the album in London and Los Angeles before briefly visiting Nashville. She was inspired by Nashville's culture and music, particularly its country music influences. Inspired by her journey, she enlisted several producers to create new music, including Ash Howes, Richard "Biff" Stannard, Sky Adams, Alex Smith, and Mark Taylor, among others.
"Dancing" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. It was released on 19 January 2018 by Darenote and BMG, as the lead single from her fourteenth studio album Golden (2018). Written by Minogue, Steve McEwan and Nathan Chapman, and produced by Sky Adams, "Dancing" was the singer's first material with BMG and Liberator, after finishing her contract with British label Parlophone two years prior. Musically, "Dancing" is a departure from her usual electronic dance sound, and adapts to country pop with elements of electronica and dance-pop. Lyrically, it talks about having fun and enjoying life while you can, with death and time being incorporated into the song's themes.
Disco is the fifteenth studio album by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. BMG Rights Management and Minogue's company Darenote released it on 6 November 2020 in both digital and physical formats. After finishing her campaign with her previous album Golden (2018), Minogue was inspired by a Studio 54-esque section on her Golden Tour to create a disco-themed album. Early sessions began in 2019-2020, but were temporarily halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread lockdowns. As a result, Minogue continued to work on the album remotely from London, using GarageBand and Logic Pro for the first time.
Tension is the sixteenth studio album by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. It was released on 22 September 2023 by BMG and Minogue's company, Darenote. Minogue enlisted several collaborators and producers for the album, including Richard "Biff" Stannard, Duck Blackwell, Jackson Foote, Lostboy, PhD, Cutfather, and Oliver Heldens. Originally inspired by the 1980s music and culture, she abandoned the idea and decided to make a record that emphasised each song's individuality rather than a central theme. Tension features various electronic dance genres and sounds such as pop, dance-pop, disco, electronic, and synth-pop. The lyrics to the album address themes such as love, lust, fun, and empowerment, all of which have appeared in Minogue's previous works.