Really good late work with powerful pop

“Closer”: Kim Wilde brings the 80s back to life on her new album, in November the singer will be performing at the Haus Auensee in Leipzig.

She is one of the pop icons of the 80s. Hits like “Kids In America”, “Chequered Love” and “You Came” became catchy tunes and are still played on the radio today. After a seven-year break, the 80s queen is now returning musically to the decade of her greatest successes on her new album.

“Closer” is released on Friday and is characterized by the skilful, carefree mix of new wave, pop and rock with strong melodies that once made Wilde famous – and of course by her unmistakable, charismatic voice.

Recording her 15th album was “really an absolute joy”, enthuses the 64-year-old in the accompanying text to the record. It is no coincidence that it is reminiscent of her old successes in terms of sound and lyrical style. “It feels like the natural companion to ‘Close’ from 1988,” explains Kim Wilde, “and I think it perfectly reflects where I am today musically.” The new album is a look back to the future, so to speak.

It starts with the thick, atmospheric synthesizer soundscapes and pulsating drums of “Midnight Train”. This conjures up images of neon lights, laser beams, artificial fog and disco balls.

The accompanying music video looks a little different, however. The song culminates in a crashing electric guitar solo. The intro of “Scorpio” is suspiciously reminiscent of the classic that started it all for Kim Wilde, “Kids In America”. On “Closer”, the singer has enlisted the support of another 80s icon. Former Ultravox singer and jack-of-all-trades Midge Ure (“Dancing With Tears In My Eyes”, “If I Was”) sings the melancholic “Sorrow Replaced” with her.

“Hourglass Human”, one of the more modern numbers on the album, is a duet with her niece Scarlett Wilde, who regularly accompanies her aunt on tour.

At 64, Kim Wilde sounds almost like she did at 28 when “Close” was released. This is especially true of her distinctive, nasal voice, which has hardly changed in all these years. But it also applies to the style and sound. This synthesizer-heavy, powerful pop is catchy. The second half of the album – previously it would have been called the B-side – is not as rousing as the first. Nevertheless, Kim Wilde has managed to create a really good late work with “Closer”, which is fun.

The new songs can probably be heard live from November. Kim Wilde currently has eleven concerts planned in Germany on her tour. One of them will take place on November 26th in Leipzig’s Haus Auensee.