Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Perimenopop ( Decca)
Relentless Love; Vertigo; Taste; Stay On Me; Dolce Vita; Time; Glamourous; Freedom of the Night; Layers; Diamond in the dark; Heart Sing; Don’t Know What You’ve Got

Decca

She cheered up the nation with her Kitchen Disco sessions during the pandemic; now Sophie Ellis-Bextor returns with possibly her most pop/disco album to date. Many of the tracks have been released as singles already and equal the quality of her earlier hits, such as Murder on the Dancefloor, even if they have not been as big hits.

The album is a coming-of-age one for Ellis-Bextor; whilst not a literal reference to perimenopause, the title of the new record is a play on words. With a bunch of songs that exude confidence and fun, the disco machine on display here shows no sign of slowing down. Relentless Love opens her eighth studio album with a huge smile on its face, just like it did when the song was the introduction to her set on the spring tour.

Dolce Vita – the latest single from the album – recalls the warmth of the Italian summer sun, fitting in well with the rich and sumptuous production that prevails throughout the album – one that would sit comfortably alongside the last two Kylie Minogue albums, given the genre on offer here.

Taste sees her joining up with singer-songwriter and producer MNEK, resulting in another top disco tune that sends the mirror ball swerving around again.If there ever was an album to cast away any blues, this is the record you need in your collection.