Off & On

Song: Off & On
Artist: Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Album: Make a Scene






While it didn't happen for this country, when it came to songs of the summer, I think you'd have a hard time arguing that Kylie's "All the Lovers" wasn't the song of the summer last year.  It was a massive hit in Europe, and here in every gay bar/vacation locale I went to.  But then again, Kylie is a huge pop music force everywhere else in the world but here.  This summer, I'm hoping that English singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor gets to expand her fan-base based on her excellent disco-electro-pop fourth album, "Make a Scene."

Intended initially to be a Greatest Hits package for release back in 2007, Sophie recorded a couple new tracks for that proposed compilation that went so well, it was decided to create a fourth proper album instead.  Back in 2009 she released a collaboration with the Freemasons, "Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer)" which is included on "Make a Scene," as well as "Bittersweet," another Freemasons produced track which was released last year in May.  It's been a long road, but "Make a Scene" is finally set for release next month.

I'm happy to report that the end result is quite worth the wait.  The album is filled with one catchy Euro-disco gem after another, and includes collaborations with Neil Howe, Cathy Dennis, Greg Kurstin, Calvin Harris, Richard X, and Junior Caldera to name a few.  "Starlight" has been chosen as the lead single in some territories, but I much prefer the Calvin Harris produced "Off & On."  The song was written with, and was initially for, Roisin Murphy, co-penned also by Cathy Dennis.  Old time readers of the blog might remember I highlighted this track way back in 2009, during "Calvin Harris Week."  And in a WeCastMusic first... I'm re-blogging the song.  For one it's just that good... but also this album version blows the old demo-ish version out of the water.  It's truly a smash-hit contender.

But I've been listening to "Make a Scene" for the past two weeks or so and it really is such a great record.  (Kylie fans... it honestly rivals "Aphrodite," seriously.)  It's one great song after another, and while many different producers had their hands in each of the tracks, it's a cohesive whole.  Highlights include the pulsating title track, the Armin va Buurin-produced "Not Giving Up on Love," "Dial My Number" and "Can't Fight This Feeling."  I'm really loving this record, and highly recommend it for any Euro-dance fans.

Enjoy.

Off & On

Make a Scene

Dial My Number