Kim Wilde
Never Say Never

THE REVIEW

The return to the scene of Kim Wilde definitely deserves consideration.

The new work, coming 11 years after her last original material, consists of 8 new pieces, fresh, with decidedly current sounds integrated with fully restructured repertoire tracks, making the project enjoyable even for the most demanding ears. Among the remakes, besides "you came" (1st single) which is noteworthy, we notice "you keep me hangin' on" in a duet with German singer Nena and "view from a bridge" that does not feel the weight of years at all.

On the other hand, "cambodia" is lesser, which among Kim's 80s tracks is one of the most beautiful but here becomes a simple disco remix that, although curated by Paul Oakenfold, fails to add value to the album. The new tracks, however, are strongly rock-oriented. "Perfect girl" already announced as the next single, could be a big hit if properly promoted while "lost without you" honors the best tradition of rock ballads. "forgive me" decidedly promoted, winks at dance and stylistically refers to Madonna's latest work, while in the captivating and energetic "Maybe I'm crazy", Kim's past experience resounds convincingly, important for nostalgics not too inclined to the new.

"I fly" could have been recorded by the Blur sound-wise without a second thought. "game over" and "Together we belong" are minor. However, the album's surprise is that Wilde (as always a co-writer) is no longer the pop singer with a glossy image from the late 80s early 90s, nor the new wave one from the beginnings (a good 25 years ago and 35,000,000 albums sold ago), but a true pop star capable of showing all current starlets how pop is done, of exploring all its facets while remaining always top-notch and of singing live (you came acoustic on you tube demonstrates) still with great intonation and a clean, powerful voice.

Fabio