How Kylie Minogue defeated an ageist music industry to top the charts with new album Tension at age 55 – as the pop princess vows that this is only the start of her incredible comeback
Kylie Minogue has topped the charts in the UK and Australia with her new album Tension, marking an incredible comeback for the veteran pop diva.
The Can’t Get You Out of My Head hitmaker, who celebrated her 55th birthday this year, has reenergised her existing fanbase while reaching a whole new generation of listeners thanks to social media.
And now the determined pop diva has vowed to keep the momentum going with even more new music, a Las Vegas residency, and a possible world tour.
The unexpected Kylie revival kicked off this year when her single Padam Padam became a surprise viral sensation, taking over TikTok and spawning hilarious memes online.
The song’s organic popularity pushed it up the global pop charts, making it Minogue’s biggest hit in over a decade despite facing an uphill battle at radio.
Kylie Minogue has topped the charts in the UK and Australia with her new album Tension, marking an incredible comeback for the veteran pop diva
The album has been such a smashing success so far that it outsold the entire top 20 combined on the UK charts, where it became her ninth No. 1 album
Despite major radio stations being called out for ageism and sexism for refusing to play Padam Padam, fans were able to get the track into the UK top 10 through streaming and downloads.
‘Of course, it’s a great moment for me — but it’s a great moment for other artists, women particularly, who have this kind of prejudice or bias against them,’ Kylie told People magazine last week.
‘So, like I say, I didn’t set out to do this. I’ve also been the youngest kid where I had to fight to be heard or just occupy my space. The negative then was, “Well, you’re 18. what do you know?” So, through all the decades of my career, there’s been something, and here we are,’ she continued.
‘I’m really proud to be representing this moment, and guess what? The earth didn’t cave in, and everyone’s having a great time. This is the age I am. What can I do?’
She added, ‘This is the age I am. What can I do?’
The hitmaker, who celebrated her 55th birthday this year, has reenergised her existing fanbase while reaching a whole new generation of listeners thanks to social media
The unexpected Kylie revival kicked off this year when her single Padam Padam became a surprise viral sensation and topped charts across the globe
Writing about Padam Padam’s unexpected success, George Griffiths at the Official Charts said: ‘It’s a confident, left-of-centre turn, and people have been responding to it because of how confident it sounds, and how much it feels like a Kylie single.
‘No-one else could have probably pulled this song off,’ he added.
Kylie addressed her chart comeback on social media at the time, thanking fans for their support.
‘I can’t thank you enough. My heart is bursting with joy so thank you so so much,’ she gushed.
‘What an incredible, another wild turn in my life and my career. Thank you so much for all of your love and support, everyone who has got onto Padam Padam and made this possible for me. I love you, thank you so so much.’
Despite the song’s success, Kylie’s producer Pete Rycroft blasted a number of UK radio stations for not supporting the song enough.
‘It was everywhere, everyone was talking about it, and it was at least top two in the charts, but Radio 1 and Capital were refusing to play it, essentially because she’s an older woman,’ he told The Independent.
‘No-one else could have probably pulled this song off’: Kylie earned praise from music critics for Padam Padam, despite some radio stations refusing to play the song due to her age
‘Of course, it’s a great moment for me — but it’s a great moment for other artists, women particularly, who have this kind of prejudice or bias against them,’ Kylie said
Kylie’s midlife career resurgence has led to a Las Vegas residency, which resulted in a near-instant sell out.
The first run of 10 shows sold-out in a matter of hours, while a second batch of 10 dates were gone in half an hour.
There’s now speculation that Kylie will either extend the residency once again, or hit the road for a full tour.
She’s also rumoured to return to Australia soon for the ARIA Awards, where she’s been nominated for four gongs.
The pop princess is up for Best Independent Release, Best Pop Release, Best Solo Artist, and Song of the Year.
Kylie’s midlife career resurgence has led to a Las Vegas residency, which sold-out 20 dates in thirty minutes
Outside of music, Kylie has been raking in millions with her branded alcohol line, Kylie Wines.
Since its launch in 2020, Kylie Wines has sold a staggering nine million bottles, making it one of the biggest celebrity booze brands in the world.
The brand’s Prosecco Rosé is the number-one-selling branded prosecco rosé in the UK after less than a year on the market.
According to Now to Love, Kylie Wines is believed to have earned the songstress over $13million so far.
‘I’m not stomping the grapes. I just think it’s about having the team and right understanding … it’s about tasting for me,’ she previously told the Daily Telegraph.
‘I’m in it for the long haul. I’m invested in it,’ she added.
There seems to be an appetite for all things Kylie Minogue right now, with the Fever hitmaker recently relaunching her 2006 perfume, Darling, due to popular demand.
The relaunch was so successful that the fragrance has already spawned a flanker called Disco Darling, named after her 2020 album Disco.
Outside of music, Kylie has been raking in millions with her branded alcohol line, Kylie Wines
Kylie released her 17th studio album Tension on September 22.
The album has been such a smashing success so far that it outsold the entire top 20 combined on the UK charts, where it became her ninth No. 1 album.
She was easily able to fend off competition from younger pop rivals, including Doja Cat and Olivia Rodrigo.
In the UK, Kylie is the only female artist to score No. 1 albums across five different decades; the 1980s, ‘90s, ‘00s, 2010s and ‘20s.
Tension has also received rave reviews from fans and music critics alike, making it one of the most acclaimed records of her long career.
There’s an appetite for all things Kylie Minogue right now, with the Fever hitmaker recently relaunching her 2006 perfume, Darling, due to popular demand
Not one to rest on her laurels, Kylie is already keen to return to the studio to capitalise on her current momentum.
Speaking with Hits Radio, the songstress was in the middle of a Q&A with fans when she made the confession.
‘Just tell me – how many good songs can one artist have?’ one Minogue admirer asked.
‘I mean you’re really making me have a good day, thank you,’ Kylie answered, unable to wipe the smile off her face.
In the UK, Kylie is the only female artist to score No. 1 albums across five different decades; the 1980s, ‘90s, ‘00s, 2010s and ‘20s
She continued: ‘How many good songs can one artist have? I don’t know, because I already want to get back in the studio and write more.
‘I feel like we’re on a roll so I would like to – although it’s been a long time, my career has been going a long time, right now it feels like it’s kind of the start of something.
‘Which is hugely exciting. So, the answer is, how many songs? More.’
In an interview with Vogue magazine, Kylie admitted that she has no plans on slowing down any time soon.
‘Now I feel like it’s the mid-part, or maybe just past mid-part of my career,’ she said.
‘And it feels like a good time where I’ve got the energy and health and verve and excitement, and the audience to do it.’
‘I feel like we’re on a roll so I would like to – although it’s been a long time, my career has been going a long time, right now it feels like it’s kind of the start of something,’ she said
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