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Disco (Kylie Minogue album)
Disco (Kylie Minogue album)
Disco (Kylie Minogue album)
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Disco
Studio album by
Kylie Minogue
Released6 November 2020 (2020-11-06)
Recorded2019–2020
Studio
  • Sky Adam's home studio (Bedfordshire)
  • Biffco (Brighton)
  • Fluff (London)
  • Infinite Disco (London)
  • Metropolis (London)
  • Phrased Differently (London)
  • Sarm (London)
  • Spark (London)
  • Pulse Music (Los Angeles)
  • Rabbit Villa (Turku)
Genre
Length41:29
Label
Producer
Kylie Minogue chronology
Golden Live in Concert
(2019) 		Disco
(2020) 		Infinite Disco
(2022)
Singles from Disco
  1. "Say Something"
    Released: 23 July 2020
  2. "Magic"
    Released: 24 September 2020
  3. "Real Groove"
    Released: 31 December 2020

Disco is the fifteenth studio album by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. BMG and Minogue's company Darenote released it on 6 November 2020 in both digital and physical formats. After finishing her campaign with her previous album Golden (2018), Minogue was inspired by a Studio 54-esque section on her Golden Tour to create a disco-themed album. Early sessions began in 2019–2020, but were temporarily halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread lockdowns. As a result, Minogue continued to work on the album remotely from London, using GarageBand and Logic Pro for the first time.

Disco includes a variety of aesthetics from the same-named genre, interpreting both traditional and modern concepts. Furthermore, escapism and a sense of hope were used as themes throughout the album, with lyrics discussing unity, love, having fun on the dancefloor, and celebration. The album also incorporates various genres from the 1970s to the 2000s, such as dance, funk, and pop music, which were compared to her previous records and other musical acts. Minogue is credited as a songwriter on all tracks and engineered her vocals on a majority of the record herself.

Music critics praised Disco for its production quality, catchiness, fun nature, and innovative approach to disco music. Since its release, the album has received numerous nominations and awards, as well as inclusion on various end-of-year critics lists. Commercially, the album was a success, reaching the top of the record charts in Australia, Scotland, and the United Kingdom and being certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in the latter region. It also reached the top ten in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain, and Switzerland. Since its release, the album has sold more than 700,000 units worldwide.

To promote the album, Disco spawned three singles: "Say Something", "Magic" and "Real Groove". In addition, two promotional singles from the album were released ("I Love It" and "Dance Floor Darling"), while album tracks "Miss a Thing" and "Supernova" achieved some commercial success during the release week of Disco. Minogue made several live appearances and performed songs from the album on television shows. She hosted Infinite Disco, a livestream show which was later published on a live release and DVD. Disco spawned two more releases: Disco: Guest List Edition, a reissue with 3 new songs including the 2 singles "A Second To Midnight"(with Olly Alexander) and "Kiss of Life" (with Jessie Ware), alongside "I Just Cant Stop Writing Love Songs About You" a duet with Gloria Gaynor and also a remix of 3rd single "Real Groove" featuring Dua Lipa. Disco: Extended Mixes, a remix album with extended versions of the original 12 track album was also released.

Background

[edit]

In April 2018, Minogue released her fourteenth studio album, Golden. It was her first record after leaving Parlophone and signing with BMG Rights Management, as well as her first full-length album co-distributed by her company Darenote.[1] Golden represented a departure from traditional dance-pop music, with a focus on country influences.[2][3] Despite its commercial success, it received lukewarm reviews from music critics, owing in part to Minogue's experimentation with country music.[4] Slant Magazine editor Sal Cinquemani predicted that "Golden further bolsters Minogue's reputation for taking risks—and artfully sets the stage for her inevitable disco comeback."[5]

Minogue promoted the album through her Kylie Presents Golden tour in Europe and North America, followed by her Golden Tour, which included new dates throughout Europe and finished in Australia.[6] Minogue began working on new music while touring with Golden, but she lacked a clear direction or theme. According to her, she was inspired by a Golden Tour segment loosely based on disco culture and Studio 54.[6] As a result, she felt her creative direction was "heading straight back to the dance floor" with a disco-themed album.[7] Following her appearance at the Glastonbury Festival that same year, and while promoting her greatest hits album Step Back in Time: The Definitive Collection (2019), she announced plans to release a "pop-disco" album.[8]

Production and development

[edit]

"That section [on Golden Tour] was the home stretch, when you're digging deep, the adrenalin's taking over and the finish line's in sight each night [...] I absolutely loved it and, suddenly, I just knew I wanted to spend more time there. After Golden and the greatest hits, I just wanted to be on the dancefloor again."[9]

—Minogue commenting on the concept of Disco.

Development began in London in the autumn of 2019 and continued into 2020; she initially worked with Ash Howes, Jon Green, and long-time collaborator Richard "Biff" Stannard early in the production process.[10] Minogue stated that she was initially concerned about the album's overall concept, but her team reassured her about the sound and process, saying, "We think we've got this disco thing down. We know what lane we should be in."[11] By February 2020, Minogue had worked on two tracks: "I Love It" and "Where Does the DJ Go?".[12] That same month, Minogue received a demo of the song "Miss a Thing" and thought it fit the parent album's disco aesthetic: "There was enough disco in there, but it felt like a fresh interpretation."[12]

Collaborations include sessions with German producer Mousse T, Italian DJ Alex Gaudino, and French producer Mirwais Ahmadzaï.[13] Minogue took a break from recording to present the last show of the Summer 2019 in São Paulo in early March.[11] Following that, she was scheduled to fly to Los Angeles to work on "Miss a Thing" with one of the songwriters, Teemu Brunila.[12] However, around that time, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the majority of the world, prompting widespread lockdown measures. As a result, Minogue recorded and produced the song in her home in London.[14] She described the effects as "eerie" in the early weeks as she tried to figure out how to continue working on her music.[9] Given the impossibilities of the pandemic, she set up a private studio in her own home and started working alone on producing the album using the software GarageBand.[11] Later, she began recording her vocals with Logic Pro, which "took some time getting used to".[11] Throughout the production process, Minogue was unsure of the album's theme. She said, "I did wonder at a certain point if this was still right, [...] Is it viable or is this just unpalatable?"[9] Minogue's A&R, Jamie Nelson, reassured her that it was the right direction. He stated, "Kylie's known to some extent for making disco records, but she's not made any real dance music in some years now. And, bearing in mind what's gone on in the world over the last six months, it feels absolutely on message in terms of what people need..."[9]

Despite previous work on the record before the lockdown, approximately 90% of the tracks on Disco were recorded and produced in her private studio.[15] The first recording sessions were held in various studios throughout England, as well as in Finland (Rabbit Villa Studios) and Los Angeles (Pulse Music Studios).[16] Minogue co-wrote all of the songs on the album, and she received additional vocal engineering credits on almost every track except "Magic", which was done by Alex Robinson.[16] Minogue also used synthesizers on the song "Supernova".[16]

Themes and composition

[edit]
Several critics compared the work from Disco to various music acts, notably French music duo Daft Punk (pictured).

Disco is a reference to the genre of the same name, and encompasses both traditional and modern interpretations of the genre.[12] In an Apple Music review, Minogue reflected on disco music's prominence in the 1970s and during the 2020 lockdown measures, saying, "At its inception, disco was a way of allowing people to dance through their struggle and pain".[12] She also reflected on the genre's power and sentiments during difficult times like the lockdown, saying, "some of the best disco songs are mission statements of strength. Even though I started recording before the dramas of 2020, there is a correlation."[12]

Escapism is a recurring theme throughout the album, providing a source of hope during the lockdown.[17][18] According to Helen Brown of The Independent, felt its disco sound was influenced by "the original American disco scene, born in the underground clubs of New York City in the years after her own birth in 1968", and disco was a form of escapism for oppressed underground people.[19] Lyrically, the album delves into themes such as love and intimacy, fun, unity, and celebration. Regarding its songwriting, The Guardian editor Michael Cragg wrote, "Kylie is listed as a co-writer on every track here, and while that album touched on some of her personal upheavals, Disco's lyrics mainly revolve around the push and pull of love and its myriad forms."[20]

Disco also incorporates sounds and genres that are not typical of the disco genre. Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic called it a "welcome return to the club-friendly dance-pop that defined Australian diva Kylie Minogue's early 21st century rebirth", comparing it to the works of Gloria Gaynor, Chic, and Donna Summer.[21] Robbin Murray of Clash agreed, describing it as "the sound of Kylie Minogue re-connecting with her roots".[22] Lisa Wright, writing for DIY, stated that while Disco is influenced by disco music from the 1970s and 1980s, she believes Minogue "still manages to savvily read the room of the current popscape".[22] The Arts Desk editor Lisa-Marie Ferla described the album as "12 tracks of giddy, gleaming, disco-pop escapism".[23]

Songs and content

[edit]
"Real Groove"
A disco-pop song set to a funk bass and 1980s-styled strings, "Real Groove" sees Minogue singing about love being gained, lost and found, using Europop vocal melodies and Auto-Tune.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Disco begins with "Magic", a disco track influenced by 1970s pop music and featuring instrumentation of horns, "funky" strings, "celebratory" handclaps, and staccato keys.[24][25] Minogue described it as the "hors d'oeuvre" to the record, describing it as "classic, grown-up, and polished".[12] "Miss a Thing" is a disco-dance hybrid with lush string arrangements that Minogue felt complemented the album's sonic flow.[12][22][26] The "retro-futuristic" sound has been compared to Minogue's albums Light Years (2000) and Fever (2001), as well as the work of French music duo Daft Punk.[22][26] "Real Groove" is a 1980s disco track with house and R&B influences, as well as additional keyboard instrumentation and Auto-Tune effects.[a] It has been compared to British singer Dua Lipa's work on Future Nostalgia (2020).[22][30]

"Monday Blues" shifts away from the album's disco sound and energy, focusing on a fast-paced "summery pop" sound with partying ambient background noises and heavy guitar strumming.[b] Minogue admitted that she nearly gave up on the track because the verses and chorus were constantly changing.[12] "Supernova" is an "energetic" disco song influenced by "celestial imagery" and intergalactic themes; it was compared to the work of German band Boney M, American drag queen RuPaul, and Daft Punk.[32][33][34] "Say Something" is a slower disco-inspired number with elements of dance-pop, electro-pop, and synth-pop, featuring "thick" synths, drum crashes, a funk guitar, and a choir section provided by the House Gospel Choir.[c] Its themes of love and unity are exemplified in the lyrics, "Love is love / It never ends / Can we all be as one again?".[41]

According to Minogue, "Last Chance" was inspired by Swedish group ABBA and British-Australian group the Bee Gees.[12] It is a pop-infused track that also pays musical homage to Donna Summer's song "Last Dance" and ABBA's track "Voulez-Vous".[22][20][42] "I Love It" is a pop song with string arrangements that had a different structure before its completion.[12][30] The line "So come on, let the music play / we're gonna take it all the way" was inspired by the work of American singer Lionel Richie.[12] "Where Does the DJ Go?" is a "frantic" and "quick"-paced track that pays homage to Gloria Gaynor's song "I Will Survive" and has been compared to Daft Punk.[d]

"Dance Floor Darling" is inspired by 1980s pop music and begins with a mid-tempo beat featuring finger snapping, vocoders, and synths; it then transitions into a spoken word section before ending with an uptempo beat near the end of the song.[21][42][20] According to Minogue, the song has "no depth" but treats its energy as a "hug".[12] "Unstoppable" is compared to a "refreshing sorbet, palate cleanser" when contrasting it with "Magic" as an album opener, and the rest of the album with its uptempo energy.[12] The standard album closer "Celebrate You" is a piano-led track that focuses primarily on Minogue's vocal performances and songwriting.[21] The song is written in a third-person narrative, with Minogue mentioning the name Mary, which was inspired by "mumble-singing melodies".[12] She described it as a "wind down" for the album, with lyrics about "heart and connection".[12]

Release and formats

[edit]

Disco was released on 6 November 2020.[12] Minogue's fifteenth studio album, and her second with BMG, is co-distributed by her company Darenote. The standard album contains 12 tracks totalling more than 41 minutes in length, while the deluxe edition includes four additional songs: "Til' You Love Somebody", "Fine Wine", "Hey Lonely", and "Spotlight".[12] Disco was available in a variety of physical formats through her website and retail stores; early bundles included a signed autograph from Minogue. The standard edition was released in both digisleeve and casebound formats, while the deluxe edition was only available in the latter.[16][43]

Six vinyl variations were also made available: a standard black vinyl, a clear vinyl, a turquoise-colored vinyl, a blue-colored vinyl, a blue-marble vinyl, and a limited edition glow-in-the-dark vinyl. Two white test pressing vinyls were created for the standard and deluxe editions.[44][45] Five cassette tapes were also released, each with a different cover art and colour: turquoise, blue, clear, white, and an additional blue colour, with two cassettes containing deluxe content.[46] The standard and deluxe versions were available on digital and streaming platforms.[12][47]

Simon Emmett shot the artwork and promotional photographs for Disco.[16] Minogue is shown on the cover with curly blonde hair, a blue sequin dress, and a lens flare in the centre of her hands, as well as her name and album title in the top corners. Moross Studios created the designs, which also included scenes and design work for Minogue's Infinite Disco tour.[48]

Guest List Edition and Disco: Extended Mixes

[edit]
American singer Gloria Gaynor (pictured) participated on the track "Can't Stop Writing Songs About You" as a featuring artist.

Minogue revealed that she planned to re-release Disco in 2021.[49] In October, she announced the repackaging of Disco, titled Disco: Guest List Edition.[50] The re-issue featured three additional singles: "A Second to Midnight" with Years & Years, "Kiss of Life" with Jessie Ware, and "Can't Stop Writing Songs About You" with Gloria Gaynor.[51] The latter song was proposed to Minogue as a standalone recording during the album's initial session, but it was removed from the final track list; it was the only song on the album to not be written by Minogue. Gaynor was approached to record on the song after she had complimented Minogue on social media for her work during the campaign for Disco.[52]

BMG and Darenote released the Guest List Edition on 12 November 2021.[51] The packaging features previously unseen images from the Disco album, as well as a new album cover.[51] Minogue released the re-issue in a variety of formats on her website, as she did with the original Disco album. The double disc standard edition includes all twelve original tracks as well as bonus tracks, while the second disc includes three new songs and seven remixes of various album tracks.[51] A limited-edition media book included five discs, a 20-page booklet with photographs, song lyrics, and notes for the new tracks, as well as live audio and video from Minogue's Infinite Disco live stream.[51] The standard and deluxe editions were released in digital format, while the double gatefold vinyl included all of the songs on the tracklist.[53]

To accompany the Guest List Edition, a remix album called Disco: Extended Mixes was released, featuring extended versions of each original track.[54] Her webstore featured a double gatefold vinyl with a holographic design of the original Disco artwork.[54] It was also included in an exclusive limited edition box set, which came in a blue vinyl package with the vinyl version of the Guest List Edition and an empty vinyl cover.[54] The Extended Mixes were later released on digital and streaming platforms on 10 December.[55][56]

Singles and promotional releases

[edit]
British musician Dua Lipa (pictured) appeared on Kylie Minogue's remixed version of her single "Real Groove".

BMG and Darenote released "Say Something" as the lead single from the album on 23 July 2020. It was released in a variety of digital formats, as well as on vinyl via Minogue's webstore.[57][58][59] Critics praised the song, with many citing it as one of Minogue's best.[21][60] It performed moderately on record charts, reaching number 56 on the UK Singles Chart and number three on the Dance/Electronic Digital Songs chart in the United States.[61][62] In Australia, it did not make the ARIA Charts but did reach number five on Billboard's Australia Digital Songs chart.[63] Sophie Muller directed a music video at the Black Island Studios in London, England, while adhering to social distancing measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.[64] It shows the singer riding a golden horse sculpture through space, shooting lasers from her hands, and flying a hovercraft.[65][66]

"Magic" was released as the album's second single on September 24. It was released in a variety of digital formats, as well as on vinyl via Minogue's webstore.[67][68][69] Music critics gave it favourable reviews, particularly for its catchiness and production quality.[21][27] Commercially, it outperformed its predecessor, reaching number 20 on the ARIA Artists Singles chart in Australia, 53 on the UK Singles Chart, and 18 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart in the United States.[70][71][72] The music video for "Magic" was also directed by Muller and shot at Fabric, a nightclub in Farringdon, London.[73][74]

"Real Groove" was released as the album's third and final single on 31 December 2020.[75] It was released in a variety of digital formats, as well as on vinyl via Minogue's webstore.[76] Critics praised the song's production quality and overall sound.[77] Commercially, it underperformed, reaching number 95 on the UK Singles Chart and number 15 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, with the latter peaking at number 100 on the year-end chart.[78][72][79] Minogue's live performance video from her Infinite Disco show was uploaded to her YouTube channel.[80] Furthermore, the "Studio 2054 Remix" featuring Dua Lipa was released on December 31 and was repackaged on the Disco: Guest List Edition of the parent album.[81] The remix featured updated production, handled by Lipa's musical director William Bowerman, as well as an extended instrumental section in the middle of the song.[82]

Two promotional singles were released: "I Love It" and "Dance Floor Darling". The former was released on digital platforms on 23 October 2020, and featured the tracks "Magic" and "Say Something" on the tracklist.[83][84] "I Love It" peaked at number 25 on the UK Singles Download chart and number 38 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.[72][85] It was also used as a lip-sync song on the American reality television show RuPaul's Drag Race, appearing on the third episode of season 14.[86][87] "Dance Floor Darling" was released as an airplay single and premiered on BBC Radio 2's B-List, which Minogue acknowledged on Twitter.[88][89] She promoted the track by creating a TikTok filter and posting it on social media.[90]

The album tracks "Miss a Thing" and "Supernova" were not released as singles, but performed well during Disco's first week of release. "Miss a Thing" reached number 43 on the UK Independent Singles chart and 30 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.[72][91] Muller directed a music video for Minogue on her YouTube channel, which featured her singing the song while wearing a diamond-like catsuit.[92][93] "Supernova" reached number 48 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and was promoted by being used as a lip-sync song twice on RuPaul's Drag Race: once in season one of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World and again in season seven of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.[72][94][95]

Live performances and appearances

[edit]
Main article: Infinite Disco

On 9 August 2020, Minogue made a promotional appearance on The Sound.[96] On 16 September, she performed "Say Something" remotely on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[97] On 16 October, she was interviewed on UOL, then on Papel Pop the next day.[98] On 29 October, Minogue was interviewed on 7.30.[99] On 1 November, the "Say Something" performance from the then-upcoming concert special 'Infinite Disco' was aired on The Sound.[100] On 2 November, she was interviewed by Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1.[101] To mark the release of the album, Minogue appeared on Sunrise, The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, Good Morning America and The Graham Norton Show to discuss the album and perform songs on 6 November.[102][103][104][105] She livestreamed a special concert, 'Infinite Disco', featuring songs from the album as well as previous songs from her discography,[106] the latter reworked by Minogue's longtime collaborators Richard Stannard and Steve Anderson.[107] The performance took place on 7 November 2020[106][108] and was co-directed by Rob Sinclair and Kate Moross,[107] with the numbers choreographed by Ashley Wallen.[107] A special also aired on Rage that same day.[109]

On 10 November she gave an interview to Magic Radio's Breakfast Show, Reuters and made an appearance on The One Show.[110] On 11 November, Minogue was interviewed on The Morning Show and ET Canada, and performed "Magic" on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.[111][112][113] The next day, she appeared on BBC Breakfast and This Morning.[114][115] She was interviewed on Sunday Brunch on 15 November and on Lorraine on 17 November.[116][117] On 19 November she appeared on El Hormiguero and on Skavlan the next day.[118][119] On 27 November Minogue performed "Real Groove" and "Electricity" with Dua Lipa on her livestream concert Studio 2054.[120] On 1 December, she was interviewed on Quotidien.[121] On 5 December Minogue was interviewed on Graham Norton's Saturday Morning Show on BBC Radio 2 and performed "Real Groove" on The Jonathan Ross Show.[122] She gave an interview to Les Enfants de la télé on 13 December.[123] On 25 December, Minogue appeared on Lorraine and smoothfm.[124][125] She gave an interview to Today on 29 December.

On 31 December, she livestreamed 'Infinite Disco' again and performed "Magic" on New Year's Eve Live and NBC's New Year's Eve. The latter appearance was a re-airing of the 'Infinite Disco' performance.[126] Several months later on 4 June 2021, the 'Infinite Disco' performance of "Dance Floor Darling" was re-aired as part of iHeartRadio and P&G's 'Can't Cancel Pride' livestream event.[127] On 25 September, "Dance Floor Darling" and "Can't Get You Out of My Head" were performed as part of Global Citizen Live.[128] On 8 October, Minogue and Olly Alexander performed "A Second to Midnight" on The One Show. On 6 November, Minogue gave an interview to Later... with Jools Holland.[129] On 13 November, Minogue and Ware performed "Kiss of Life" together for the first time on The Jonathan Ross Show.[130]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.2/10[131]
Metacritic72/100[132]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStarHalf star[21]
Clash8/10[22]
DIYStarStarStarHalf star[30]
The GuardianStarStarStarStar[20]
The IndependentStarStarStarStar[19]
NMEStarStarStarStar[42]
Pitchfork5.6/10[32]
Rolling StoneStarStarStarHalf star[28]
Slant MagazineStarStarStarHalf star[26]
The TimesStarStarStarStar[133]

Disco received positive reviews from most music critics.[134][135] At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 72 based on 16 reviews, indicating "generally favourable reviews".[132] Additionally, AnyDecentMusic? assigned a normalised rating of 7.2 out of 10, based on 22 reviews from music critics.[131]

AllMusic editor Neil Z. Yeung felt the album hit the "same highs" as her previous albums throughout the 2000s, describing it as a "glittery, feel-good set is nothing short of euphoric, a dozen near-perfect gems that pay respect to the album's namesake era while updating the production with thrilling results."[21] Guido Farrell, The Music editor, referenced the themes from "I Love It" and wrote, "Minogue delivers a simple message of hope on an album that provides non-stop dancefloor kicks."[136] Michael Cragg of The Guardian described the album as "highly saturated in Kylie's supernatural high camp and total sincerity".[20] Albumism writer Quentin Harrison praised the record's sound and delivery, writing, "Disco is the product of a woman keenly aware of her strengths, but not constrained by them", while Clash editor Robin Murray felt it was “her most unashamedly fun record in almost a decade".[22][137]

NME writer Nick Levine wrote that Disco "shimmers with a warm glittery glow that's just irresistible", while Helen Brown of The Independent wrote that Minogue was on the album to "help us dance through this silliness, straddling Seventies-era dance music and pop fromage".[42][19] David Smyth of the Evening Standard praised it as a welcome return for the singer, citing "Say Something" as one of her "best-ever singles".[138] Regarding the album's sound, Mick Jacobs of Spectrum Culture wrote, "Disco adds to each one's pop culture standing, the former as a foundational pillar of today's music and the latter as a prolific and still wonderfully entertaining pop act for nearly 30 years."[139]

DIY editor Lisa Wright thought the material on Disco had "brightness, positivity, and joy that the singer's been preaching for 40 years now".[30] Although criticised for not being "the most progressive or groundbreaking album of the year, it's certainly up there as one of the most charming".[30] Jeffrey Davis of PopMatters described it as a "shimmery, ethereal getaway from any which reality you choose, the album gets you dancing and forgetting, therefore achieving its purpose."[27] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine compared it neutrally to Minogue's albums Light Years and Fever, writing, "For better or worse, though, Disco doesn't attempt to adapt the classic titular sound in a contemporary context like those albums did, instead content to bask in unapologetic homage."[26] According to Richard Wiggens of God Is in the TV, Disco "provides a fresh, energetic listen that proves she is still very much part of the pop conversation."[140]

Mathew Marson, a Beats Per Minute contributor, described the overall effort as "fine", writing, “Repeated listens, indeed, prove it to be a perfectly serviceable, enjoyable offering."[141] The Irish Times' Louise Brunton saw a "distinct lack of edge on Disco, which is a wasted opportunity for someone who usually lives there."[142] Despite praising the album's energy and production quality, CJ Thorpe-Tracey of The Quietus criticised Minogue's lack of storytelling and iconoclasm, concluding, "Why does this record not realise how important Kylie is?"[143] Pitchfork writer Katherine St. Asaph gave a mixed review, writing, "The album, with a couple exceptions, has two modes: overly tasteful cruise-ship programming, and gauche rehashes. Kylie front-loads the weakest material—maybe passable in a set, but fatal in an album, where there's no club to leave."[32]

Accolades and nominations

[edit]

Disco has received numerous nominations and awards since its release. It was nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album at the 2021 ARIA Music Awards, her first nomination since 2010's Aphrodite, as well as Best Artist, her first nomination in that category. Crowded House's album Dreamers Are Waiting defeated her in the former, while The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber's work in "Stay" won in the latter.[144] Music Week awarded Disco the Digital Marketing Masters award, while Minogue and her label BMG were nominated for Artist Marketing Campaign and Murray Chalmers PR (MCPR) for Best PR Campaign for the Album, respectively.[145][146][147]

Disco was also nominated for Top Dance/Electronic Album at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, marking her first nomination through the association. She lost to Lady Gaga's Chromatica.[148] Gaffa, a Nordic magazine, shortlisted the album and Minogue for Best International Solo Act and Best International Album, respectively.[149] Additionally, Disco was submitted and shortlisted for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, but did not receive a nomination.[150]

Year-end lists

[edit]
Critics' rankings for Disco
Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
AllMusic Best of 2020 N/a
[151]
Billboard The 10 Best Dance Albums of 2020 9
[152]
British GQ Best Albums of 2020 6
[153]
The Daily Telegraph The Best Albums of 2020 5
[154]
Gaffa The 20 Best Foreign Albums of 2020 18
[155]
The Guardian The 50 Best Albums of 2020 42
[156]
Houston Chronicle Best Albums of 2020 4
[157]
musicOMH musicOMH's Top 50 Albums of 2020
49
[158]
NME The 25 Best Australian Albums of 2020
18
[159]
The Quietus Quietus Albums of the Year 2020
36
[160]
Slant Magazine The 50 Best Albums of 2020 46
[161]
Variety The Best Albums of 2020
7
[162]

Commercial performance

[edit]

On 21 August 2020, Alistair Norbury, the head of BMG, spoke with Music Week about the Disco marketing campaign.[163] Minogue and BMG promoted Disco through a comprehensive marketing campaign before and during the album's release. According to Norbury, Disco outperformed her previous studio album Golden at the same stage of its album campaign. This was based on key metrics like streaming, Amazon pre-orders, direct-to-consumer pre-orders, and video views.[164]

In the United Kingdom, Disco debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, selling 5,000 more copies than its closest competitor, Confetti by Little Mix, in what several outlets described as a heated chart battle.[163][165] The album surpassed Lady Gaga's Chromatica as the biggest first-week release of 2020, selling 54,905 copies.[166] Power Up by Australian band AC/DC quickly surpassed this, selling 62,000 units in its first week.[167]

Disco became Minogue's eighth number one album in the UK, breaking the record for the first female artist to have a number one album in five consecutive decades, following Kylie (1988), Enjoy Yourself (1989), Greatest Hits (1992), Fever (2001), Aphrodite (2010), Golden (2018), and Step Back In Time: The Definitive Collection (2019).[168] The album was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) less than a month after its release, and it was later upgraded to Gold on 18 December 2020, after shipping over 100,000 units.[169] The Official Charts Company reported that the album had sold 179,892 copies as of September 2023.[169]

Disco debuted at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart in Australia, becoming her seventh chart-topping album. Following the release of Guest List Edition, it re-entered the charts at number seven alongside the original.[170] In New Zealand, the album debuted at number nine on the national chart for one week, marking Minogue's first top-ten appearance since Fever in 2001.[171] In France, the album debuted at number eight, her best chart position since Aphrodite peaked at number three. It re-entered at number 45 after the re-release of Guest List Edition for one week.[172]

In the United States, Disco peaked at number 26 on the Billboard 200, her third highest-charting album at the time after Fever in 2002 and Aphrodite in 2010, and was eventually surpassed by Minogue's record Tension in 2023.[173] It also debuted at number two on the Top Albums Sales chart and the top spot on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart, marking her first number-one.[174] The album opened with 19,000 Album-equivalent units, with 15,000 of those being pure sales.[175] As of November 2021, Disco had sold 35,000 copies in the United States.[176] By September 2023, BMG reported that the album had sold around 700,000 copies worldwide.[177]

Track listing

[edit]
Disco standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Magic"
PhD4:10
2."Miss a Thing"
  • Minogue
  • Brunila
  • Nico Stadi
  • Ally Ahern
  • Brunila
  • Stadi
3:56
3."Real Groove"
  • Minogue
  • Brunila
  • Stadi
  • Alida Gaprestad
  • Brunila
  • Stadi
3:15
4."Monday Blues"
Adams3:09
5."Supernova"
  • Minogue
  • Adams
  • Cottone
Adams3:17
6."Say Something"
  • Green
  • Stannard
  • Duck Blackwell[a]
  • Minogue[b]
3:32
7."Last Chance"
  • Minogue
  • Adams
  • Cottone
Adams3:03
8."I Love It"
  • Minogue
  • Stannard
  • Blackwell
  • Stannard
  • Blackwell
  • Minogue[b]
3:50
9."Where Does the DJ Go?"
  • Minogue
  • Adams
  • Shah
  • Kiris Houston
  • Adams
  • Houston
3:01
10."Dance Floor Darling"
  • Minogue
  • Adams
  • Cottone
  • Campbell
Adams3:12
11."Unstoppable"
Miller3:34
12."Celebrate You"
  • Minogue
  • Adams
  • Shah
  • Cottone
Adams3:41
Total length:41:29
Disco deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Till You Love Somebody"
  • Minogue
  • Adams
  • Brunila
  • Campbell
  • Adams
  • Campbell
3:02
14."Fine Wine"
  • Minogue
  • Adams
  • Cottone
Adams2:44
15."Hey Lonely"
  • Minogue
  • Adams
  • Cottone
Adams3:28
16."Spotlight"
  • Minogue
  • Adams
  • Shah
  • Houston
  • Adams
  • Houston
2:44
Total length:53:25
Disco Japanese release bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
17."Say Something" (F9 remix)
  • Minogue
  • Green
  • Howes
  • Stannard
  • Green
  • Stannard
  • Blackwell[a]
  • F9[c]
3:38
18."Say Something" (Syn Cole remix)
  • Minogue
  • Green
  • Howes
  • Stannard
3:00
Total length:60:26
Disco digital super deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
17."Say Something" (Basement Jaxx remix)
  • Minogue
  • Green
  • Howes
  • Stannard
  • Green
  • Stannard
  • Blackwell[a]
  • Basement Jaxx[c]
5:30
18."Say Something" (Syn Cole remix)
  • Minogue
  • Green
  • Howes
  • Stannard
  • Green
  • Stannard
  • Blackwell[a]
  • Syn Cole[c]
3:00
19."Magic" (Purple Disco Machine remix)
  • Minogue
  • Brunila
  • Davidsen
  • Wallevik
  • Buzz
  • PhD
  • Purple Disco Machine [c]
3:36
20."Magic" (Nick Reach Up remix)
  • Minogue
  • Brunila
  • Davidsen
  • Wallevik
  • Buzz
  • PhD
  • Nick Reach Up [c]
3:11
Total length:68:42
Disco: Guest List Edition Disc 2
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
17."A Second to Midnight" (with Years & Years)
  • Stannard
  • Blackwell
3:27
18."Kiss of Life" (with Jessie Ware)
Ford3:13
19."Can't Stop Writing Songs About You" (with Gloria Gaynor)
PhD3:04
20."Real Groove" (Studio 2054 remix; with Dua Lipa)
  • Minogue
  • Brunila
  • Stadi
  • Gaprestad
  • Brunila
  • Stadi
  • William Bowerman
4:22
21."Say Something" (Basement Jaxx remix)
  • Minogue
  • Green
  • Howes
  • Stannard
  • Green
  • Stannard
  • Blackwell[a]
  • Basement Jaxx[c]
5:22
22."Say Something" (F9 Club Mix)
  • Minogue
  • Green
  • Howes
  • Stannard
  • Green
  • Stannard
  • Blackwell[a]
6:34
23."Say Something" (Syn Cole Extended remix)
  • Minogue
  • Green
  • Howes
  • Stannard
  • Green
  • Stannard
  • Blackwell[a]
  • Syn Cole[c]
4:04
24."Magic" (Purple Disco Machine Extended remix)
  • Minogue
  • Brunila
  • Davidsen
  • Wallevik
  • Buzz
  • PhD
  • Purple Disco Machine [c]
5:07
25."Real Groove" (Studio 2054 Initial Talk remix; with Dua Lipa)
  • Minogue
  • Brunila
  • Stadi
  • Gaprestad
Initial Talk[c]3:43
26."Dance Floor Darling" (Linslee's Electric Slide remix)
  • Minogue
  • Adams
  • Cottone
  • Campbell
 3:55
Disco: Guest List Edition Disc 3 (Live from The Infinite Disco Livestream)
No.TitleLength
1."Magic" (Intro)1:33
2."Come into My World" (Interlude)0:21
3."I Love It"3:03
4."In Your Eyes"3:05
5."Light Years"2:45
6."Supernova"3:13
7."Light Years" (Reprise)0:33
8."I Should Be So Lucky" (Interlude)0:25
9."Dance Floor Darling"3:17
10."All the Lovers" (with House Gospel Choir)3:36
11."Say Something" (with House Gospel Choir)4:00
12."Real Groove"2:54
13."Slow" / "Love to Love You Baby"3:13
14."Monday Blues"3:11
15."Where Does the DJ Go?"2:54
16."Love at First Sight"4:05
17."Last Chance"2:46
18."Magic"4:39
Total length:49:33
Disco: Extended Mixes
No.TitleLength
1."Magic" (Extended Mix)5:32
2."Miss a Thing" (Extended Mix)5:20
3."Real Groove" (Extended Mix)4:23
4."Monday Blues" (Extended Mix)5:11
5."Supernova" (Extended Mix)4:56
6."Say Something" (Extended Mix)5:22
7."Last Chance" (Extended Mix)4:42
8."I Love It" (Extended Mix)5:02
9."Where Does the DJ Go?" (Extended Mix)4:14
10."Dance Floor Darling" (Extended Mix)4:32
11."Unstoppable" (Extended Mix)4:54
12."Celebrate You" (Extended Mix)5:13
Total length:59:21

Notes

[edit]
  • ^a signifies an additional producer.
  • ^b signifies a vocal producer.
  • ^c signifies a remixer.
  • "Magic" (Purple Disco Machine Extended remix) is omitted from the Guest List Edition digital album available on Minogue's webstore.[178]
  • The standard two disc release of the Guest List Edition places the four Disco deluxe edition tracks at the beginning of disc two, instead of at the end of disc one.[179]

Personnel

[edit]

Adapted from liner notes.[16][44][51]

Musicians

[edit]
  • Kylie Minogue – lead vocals (all tracks), backing vocals (tracks 1, 6, 11), synthesizer (track 5)
  • Felicity Adams – backing vocals (tracks 4, 9, 16)
  • Sky Adams – backing vocals (tracks 4–5, 9, 12, 16), guitar (tracks 4–5, 7, 9–10, 12, 14–15), synthesizer (tracks 4–5, 7, 9–10, 12–16), drums (tracks 4–5, 7, 9–10, 12–13, 16), drum programming (tracks 4, 7, 10, 12), programming (tracks 4–5, 7, 9–10, 12, 15), keyboards (tracks 13–15), bass (track 15)
  • Adetoun Anibi – backing vocals (track 6)
  • Fiona Bevan – backing vocals (track 11)
  • Duck Blackwell – keyboards (track 6, 8), bass (track 8), drums (track 8), percussion (track 8), programming (track 8)
  • Teemu Brunila – guitar (tracks 2–3), drum programming (tracks 2–3), keyboards (track 13)
  • Cherokee Campbell – synthesizer (track 5)
  • Linslee Campbell – bass (tracks 4, 7, 12–15), guitar (track 13)
  • Maegan Cottone – backing vocals (tracks 4, 7, 10, 12, 14–15)
  • Daniel Davidsen – guitar (track 1), drum programming (track 1)
  • Jon Green – backing vocals (track 6), keyboards (track 6)
  • Kiris Houston – bass (tracks 9, 16), guitar (track 9), strings (track 9), synthesizer (track 9), backing vocals (track 16), keyboards (track 16), synthesizer (track 16)
  • Ash Howes – programming (track 6)
  • Louis Lion – programming (track 6)
  • Troy Miller – backing vocals (track 11), bass guitar (track 11), clavinet (track 11), guitar (track 11), percussion (track 11), drums (track 11), programming (track 11), Rhodes piano (track 11), synthesizer (track 11)
  • PhD – programming (track 1)
  • Johny Saarde – drum programming (track 1)
  • Danny Shah – backing vocals (tracks 12, 16)
  • Nico Stadi – guitar (tracks 2–3), bass (tracks 2–3), keyboards (tracks 2–3), strings (tracks 2–3), string arranger (tracks 2–3), drum programming (tracks 2–3)
  • Biff Stannard – backing vocals (track 6), keyboards (track 6), drums (track 8)
  • Thomas Totten – guitar (tracks 4, 10, 14–15)
  • Peter Wallevik – rhythm guitar (track 1), keyboards (track 1), drum programming (track 1)

Technical

[edit]
  • Kylie Minogue – vocal engineer (all tracks excluding 1 & 16)
  • Sky Adams – engineer (tracks 4–5, 7, 9–10, 13–16)
  • Dick Beetham – engineer (tracks 1–15)
  • Duck Blackwell – engineer (track 8)
  • PhD – producer (track 1)
  • Teemu Brunila – engineer (tracks 2–3)
  • Daniel Davidsen – producer (track 1)
  • Guy Massey – engineer (tracks 4, 7, 9–15)
  • Troy Miller – engineer (track 11)
  • Alex Robinson – engineer (track 1)
  • Nico Stadi – engineer (tracks 2–3)
  • Biff Stannard – engineer (track 8)
  • Peter Wallevik – producer (track 1)

Recording studios

[edit]
  • 360 Mastering; Hastings, UK (all songs)
  • Biffco Studios; Brighton (track 6, 8)
  • Fluff!; London, UK (4)
  • Infinite Disco;[e] London, UK (track 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13–15)
  • Metropolis Studios; London, UK (track 1)
  • Phrased Differently; London, UK (track 9, 12, 16)
  • Pulse Music; Silver Lake, Los Angeles, California (track 2, 3)
  • Rabbit Villa; Turku, Finland (track 2, 3, 13)
  • SARM Studios; London, UK (track 14, 15)
  • Spark Studio; London, UK (track 11)
  • Sky's Home Studio; Bedfordshire, UK (track 4, 5, 7, 10, 13)

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan — 2,980[212]
United Kingdom (BPI)[213] Gold 179,892[169]
United States — 35,000[176]

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for Disco
Region Date Format Editions Label Ref.
Various 6 November 2020
  • Standard
  • Deluxe
[12][16][44][47]
12 November 2020 Digital download Super deluxe
Japan 25 November 2020 CD Japanese edition
[214]
Brazil 5 December 2020 Standard [215]
Various 12 November 2021
Guest List Edition
  • Darenote
  • BMG
 [54][56]
Brazil 26 November 2021 CD
  • BMG
  • Warner
 [216]
Various 10 December 2021
  • LP
  • digital download
  • streaming
 Extended Mixes
  • Darenote
  • BMG
 [217]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Disco (Kylie Minogue album)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Disco is the fifteenth studio album by Australian singer , released on 6 November 2020 by in partnership with her own label Darenote. The record draws inspiration from classic disco eras, incorporating elements with glittering production and nostalgic references to dancefloors like Studio 54. Minogue began preliminary work on Disco at home during the early stages of the , using a SM7B before collaborating remotely with producers. She co-wrote every track, working primarily with producers Sky Adams and , alongside contributions from Biff Stannard, Duck Blackwell, and others for a polished, upbeat sound. The album features 12 tracks, including lead single "Say Something", released in July 2020 with poignant lyrics reflecting global isolation, followed by in September and in December 2020, all emphasizing euphoric disco vibes and Minogue's signature vocals. Promotion included a global livestream performance on release day and virtual events amid pandemic restrictions. Disco achieved commercial success, debuting at number one on the UK Albums Chart with 55,000 units sold in its first week—the biggest opening of 2020 there—and topping charts in Australia for Minogue's seventh number-one album in her home country. It also reached number one on the US Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart, marking her first leader there, while peaking at number 26 on the all-genre Billboard 200. Critically, the album received positive reviews for its joyful escapism and production, with NME awarding it four stars as a "terrific fit" for the seasoned artist. In 2021, Disco: Guest List Edition was released as a reissue, adding collaborations with artists like , , and , further extending the album's disco legacy.

Background and development

Background

Following the release of her 2018 album Golden, which incorporated and pop elements, sought to return to her dance roots with a disco-inspired project aimed at providing escapism during the early stages of the . Development began in 2019 following the Golden Tour, with the album conceived and refined in early 2020 as global lockdowns began; it was influenced by the isolation and uncertainty of the time, with Minogue envisioning it as a joyful to the world's challenges. Minogue began preliminary work at home using a Shure SM7B microphone, with remote recording sessions commencing in March 2020, adapting to restrictions that confined much of the work to her London home studio. On July 21, 2020, Minogue announced the album's title and concept, positioning as a celebration of virtual connection and dance-floor fantasy amid physical distancing measures. The idea drew from online gatherings and imagined parties that people hosted virtually during isolation, transforming the album into a beacon of communal uplift in a divided era. Minogue's motivations were deeply personal, rooted in her desire to create uplifting music that echoed the success of her 2001 album Fever, which had revitalized her career with infectious . She described the project as emerging from "struggle," paralleling disco's historical origins in times of adversity, and aimed to offer hope and rhythm to listeners navigating the pandemic's emotional toll.

Production and development

Production of Disco began in 2019, with initial sessions held in Brighton at Biff Stannard's studio before the COVID-19 pandemic enforced widespread lockdowns in the UK. As restrictions took hold in March 2020, Minogue relocated to her home in London, where she established a makeshift studio equipped with basic recording gear to continue work independently. This shift allowed sessions to resume remotely from March through August 2020, incorporating contributions from collaborators across locations while adhering to social distancing measures. Key producers included Biff Stannard, Minogue's long-standing collaborator who oversaw the majority of the tracks, and Sky Adams, who co-wrote and produced six songs, building on his prior work with her on the album Golden. Additional production came from Duck Blackwell, Teemu Brunila, Linslee Campbell, Jon Green, Kiris Houston, Troy Miller, Nico Stadi, and PhD, emphasizing the album's upbeat disco sound amid the isolation of lockdown. Recording primarily occurred at Minogue's London home studio, with some elements captured at Sarm Studios in the city, and Minogue herself earned engineering credits for vocals and synths on multiple tracks. A major challenge was adapting to virtual collaboration tools, including Zoom for songwriting sessions, feedback, and mixing, as in-person interactions were impossible due to pandemic restrictions. Minogue described learning to handle much of the process solo, from vocal recording to basic engineering, which fostered a sense of but highlighted the emotional strain of isolation. Electronic elements were enhanced through remote file-sharing, ensuring the album's polished, dance-oriented production despite the logistical hurdles. Mixing was finalized in late 2020, with the album mastered by Dick Beetham at 360 Mastering in , completing the project just ahead of its release. This timeline reflected the adaptive resilience of the team, turning constraints into a catalyst for the album's escapist theme.

Music and lyrics

Composition and style

Disco is primarily a synth-disco album that draws heavily from and influences, characterized by four-on-the-floor beats, lush synthesizers, and orchestral strings. The production incorporates modern elements such as vocoders and to create a retro-futuristic vibe, evoking the era of and while updating it for floors. The album features upbeat tempos averaging around 120 beats per minute (BPM), with tracks ranging from 106 BPM on "Magic" to higher paces like 117 BPM on "Real Groove," emphasizing concise, danceable arrangements across its 12 tracks in the standard edition, totaling approximately 40 minutes. Instrumentation includes prominent basslines, sections, electronic percussion, chicken-scratch guitar lines, and star-wipe sections, contributing to a glittery, anthemic sound. Subsequent releases, such as the 2021 Disco: Guest List Edition, introduced remixes and collaborations that expanded the album's stylistic scope.

Themes and songwriting

The central themes of Disco center on , romance, and as responses to the uncertainties of the , offering listeners a sense of uplift amid global anxiety. Minogue has described the album as providing an escapist tone suited to a chaotic year, with lyrics emphasizing unity, love, and the pleasures of the dancefloor to counter isolation and hardship. These motifs extend to dancing through adversity and nostalgic reflections on love, drawing from disco's historical blend of exuberance and underlying melancholy. The songwriting process involved close collaboration between Minogue and her producers, where she contributed as co-writer on every track to craft positive, empowering messages that avoided explicit references to the pandemic. This approach allowed for raw, improvised lyrical moments that highlighted emotional resilience and optimism, transforming personal introspection into broadly relatable anthems of connection. By focusing on universal feelings of longing and celebration, the lyrics empowered listeners to find solace in movement and human bonds without delving into contemporary specifics. Representative examples illustrate these themes vividly. In "Say Something," the lyrics explore in relationships, portraying the ache of and the yearning for open communication as a path to emotional closeness. Similarly, "Magic" evokes and self-discovery through its depiction of love's transformative spark, where everyday moments feel enchanted and revealing. Overall, Disco forms a cohesive arc resembling a "disco journey," progressing from vulnerability to triumphant celebration, mirroring disco's evolution as both personal escape and communal release. These elements have resonated particularly in queer culture revivals between 2021 and 2025, amplifying Minogue's enduring role as a through fantasy-laden motifs of joy and reinvention.

Release and promotion

Release formats and editions

Disco was initially released on 6 November 2020 by in association with Minogue's Darenote label, available in standard digital download and formats featuring the original 12-track album. The standard edition came in a jewel case with a 16-page booklet containing and credits, while the digital version offered high-resolution audio options on platforms like and . Limited-edition vinyl pressings of the standard album were also issued, including variants such as turquoise transparent, crystal clear, and colored editions in pink and other hues, pressed on 180-gram vinyl with gatefold sleeves. These vinyl releases featured the same 12 tracks across two sides and were distributed globally through retailers like Amazon and independent record stores. The album's artwork, photographed by Simon Emmett and designed by Studio Moross under creative director , depicted Minogue in a sparkling -inspired pose against a cosmic backdrop, emphasizing the album's retro-futuristic theme. Some editions included holographic hype stickers on the packaging for promotional appeal. A Japan-exclusive Bonus Track Edition followed on 25 November 2020, expanding to 18 tracks by incorporating the deluxe digital content available elsewhere plus two unique remixes: "Say Something (F9 Remix)" and "Say Something ( Remix)." This version was released by Warner Music in a standard jewel case with obi strip and bilingual booklet. In 2021, BMG issued the Disco: Guest List Edition on 12 November, available digitally, as a 2-CD set, triple black vinyl, and a limited edition containing 3 CDs, a DVD, and Blu-ray with exclusive video content. This reissue added four new tracks—"A Second to Midnight" featuring , "Can't Stop Writing Songs About You" with , "Kiss of Life" with , and "10 Out of 10" with Olive—alongside B-sides and remixes, totaling 26 tracks across formats. The packaging for the Guest List Edition featured updated booklet photography from the original sessions, housed in digipaks or sleeves. Complementing the reissue, Disco: Extended Mixes was released digitally and as a limited-edition purple double vinyl on 10 December 2021, presenting club-oriented extended versions of all 12 original tracks with a rainbow laminate finish on the gatefold sleeve. This edition targeted enthusiasts and was available through Kylie's official store and select retailers.
FormatRelease DateKey FeaturesSource
Standard CD/Digital6 202012 tracks; global distributionBMG Official
Vinyl Variants (e.g., , Clear)6 2020Limited 180g LP; colored pressingsDiscogs
Japan Bonus Track CD25 202018 tracks; exclusive remixesCDJapan
Guest List Edition (2CD/Triple Vinyl/Super Deluxe)12 202126 tracks; new collaborationsKylie Store
Extended Mixes (Digital/Purple Double Vinyl)10 December 202112 extended club mixesKylie Store

Singles

The lead single from Disco, "Say Something", was released on 23 July 2020 by and Darenote. Co-written by Minogue with Ash Howes and produced by Jonathan Green and Richard Stannard, the track debuted at number 56 on the UK Singles Chart, while reaching number 2 on the UK Singles Sales Chart and number 9 on the . In , it peaked at number 15 on the Airplay Chart. The accompanying , directed by and produced by Prettybird UK, was filmed under pandemic-safe protocols shortly after lockdowns eased, blending retro aesthetics with psychedelic, intergalactic visuals inspired by 1970s influences and Gatsby-era styles. "Magic", the second single, followed on 24 September 2020. Written by Minogue, Michelle Buzz, and Teemu Brunila and produced by PhD with Teemu Brunila, it entered the UK Singles Chart at number 75 before peaking at number 53. The song also garnered strong airplay in Europe, reaching number 1 on the Croatia Airplay Chart and number 3 in Hungary, while topping the Australian Airplay Chart. Its music video, again directed by Sophie Muller, emphasizes themes of escapism through magical, reality-bending effects, portraying Minogue in a minimalist room where disco elements manifest as illusions, evoking a sense of virtual euphoria amid global isolation. "Real Groove", the third single, was released on 6 November 2020, coinciding with the album launch. Co-written by Minogue, , and Johannes Pajunen and produced by Brunila, it peaked at number 82 on the UK Singles Chart and received significant airplay, reaching number 5 on the UK Singles Sales Chart. The song's music video, directed by , features Minogue performing in a vibrant, retro-futuristic setting with dance sequences highlighting the track's groovy disco rhythm. "Dance Floor Darling" served as a promotional single, with an official audio released on 5 November 2020 ahead of the album's launch and added to BBC Radio 2's playlist on 24 April 2021. The upbeat track, produced by Sky Adams, celebrates dance culture without a dedicated music video, instead featured in live performances from the era. In 2021, an extended mix of "Miss a Thing" was released as part of the remix compilation Disco: Extended Mixes on 10 December, highlighting its club-oriented remix potential, though it was not promoted as a standalone commercial single. A visualizer video for the original version, directed by Sophie Muller, premiered in July 2022 to mark the album's anniversary, incorporating glittering disco motifs. The singles from Disco received notable airplay traction in and , contributing to the album's escapist revival during the , though none achieved BPI certifications at the time of release. By 2024–2025, tracks like "" saw renewed interest on platforms such as , appearing in user-generated disco-themed content and playlists amid Minogue's ongoing Tension era promotions.

Promotion and live

To promote the album ahead of its November 2020 release, Minogue shared teasers under the #KylieDisco, building anticipation with glimpses of the disco-inspired visuals and tracks. In October 2020, she released two promotional singles, "Dance Floor Darling" and "I Love It", as instant gratification tracks available digitally to fans pre-ordering the album. A virtual party was hosted on Live on November 6, 2020, allowing global fans to stream and discuss the full album in real time. The primary live promotion came via the Infinite Disco livestream concert on November 7, 2020, a 50-minute pre-recorded performance filmed in London without a live audience due to pandemic restrictions. Streamed worldwide through Driift, the show featured a mix of new Disco tracks like "Magic" and "Say Something" alongside career highlights such as "All the Lovers" and "Can't Get You Out of My Head", with elaborate choreography and visual effects evoking a virtual nightclub. It sold nearly 30,000 tickets during its initial broadcast, marking a significant digital milestone for Minogue's pandemic-era outreach. The performance was later released as the live album Infinite Disco in 2022, capturing the event's energy for ongoing fan access. Media appearances amplified the campaign, including a performance of lead single "Magic" on , aired on November 6, 2020, where Minogue delivered the track with a full dance ensemble in a glittering disco setting. Additional virtual engagements included an (AR) experience on in November 2020, featuring a motion-captured performance of "Real Groove" with interactive effects for users. A notable collaboration emerged with the "Real Groove (Studio 2054 Remix)" featuring , released on December 31, 2020, as part of the Disco: Guest List Edition, blending their vocals over an extended dance mix to extend the album's promotional reach into early 2021. Merchandise tied to the theme included -inspired apparel such as the Disco Chroma Tee, "Say Something" hoodie, and logo sweatshirts, alongside accessories like totes and necklaces, available through Minogue's official store to complement the album's retro-glam aesthetic. Disco tracks continued to feature in live performances during Minogue's Tension Tour (2024–2025), with songs like "", "", and "" integrated into the setlist to bridge her disco revival with newer material. The tour's live recordings, released as Tension Tour//Live 2025 in September 2025, preserved these inclusions for digital and vinyl formats.

Critical and commercial reception

Critical reception

Upon its release, ''Disco'' received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its escapist joy and polished production amid the . On review aggregator , the album earned a score of 72 out of 100 based on 16 critics' reviews, signifying "generally favorable" reception. Outlets highlighted Minogue's confident vocal delivery and the album's seamless revival, often comparing it favorably to her output like ''Fever'' and ''X''. Variety's Andrew Barker called it Minogue's "most consistent and cohesive album since her oughts-era heyday," emphasizing its "sugar-rush anthems" and dancefloor energy. Critics frequently lauded the production's glossy sheen and the album's unapologetic fun, positioning it as a timely antidote to global lockdowns. NME awarded four out of five stars, with Rhian Daly describing it as a "consistently uplifting set that feels like [Minogue's] best album since 2010's ''Aphrodite''" and praising its "grown-up disco" vibe. The Guardian's Alexis Petridis gave it four stars, dubbing it "the ultimate rescue remedy" for its "shimmering stream of dancefloor bangers" and Minogue's blend of "high camp and total sincerity." These sentiments underscored the album's role in providing euphoric escapism, with its retro-futuristic sound evoking carefree nights despite real-world constraints. However, some reviewers critiqued ''Disco'' for lacking innovation and lyrical depth, viewing it as formulaic within Minogue's oeuvre. Pitchfork's Katherine St. Asaph assigned a 5.6 out of 10, faulting the tracks for alternating between "overly tasteful cruise-ship programming" and "gauche rehashes," and noting a front-loaded weakness that diminished its overall impact. In subsequent retrospectives, the album's pandemic-era relevance has been reaffirmed positively; a 2025 Classic Pop Magazine analysis described it as one of Minogue's "most solid and uncompromising albums," crediting its enduring cohesion and danceable polish.

Commercial performance

Disco debuted at number one on the in November 2020, selling 55,000 equivalent units in its first week, marking Minogue's eighth UK number-one and her biggest opening week since 2010. In , the also entered at number one on the ARIA Albums Chart, becoming Minogue's seventh chart-topping there and securing her record as the Australian female artist with the most number-one albums. On the , it launched at number one on the Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart—Minogue's first leader there—with 19,000 equivalent units, including 15,000 from pure sales, while peaking at number 26 on the . The album achieved strong international success, reaching the top 10 in multiple countries, including number one in alongside the and . It also peaked in the top 10 in (number 3), (number 2 in and number 5 in ), (number 8), (number 3), (number 2), (number 2), (number 4), and (number 4). Overall, Disco entered the top 10 in at least 12 countries, reflecting its broad appeal in and Minogue's home markets. In the UK, Disco was certified gold by the in December 2020 for 100,000 equivalent units, with sales reaching 121,715 units by early 2021, bolstered by strong physical formats. Vinyl sales were particularly notable, with 13,500 copies sold in the debut week and totaling 21,500 by the end of 2020, helping the rank among the year's top vinyl sellers in the UK. Globally, the album's performance benefited from a surge in streaming during the , with the standard edition accumulating over 300 million streams on alone as of 2025, contributing to equivalent album units exceeding 500,000 worldwide when including reissues like the 2021 Guest List Edition. Certifications included gold in for 35,000 units by , underscoring its enduring commercial impact.
Country/RegionPeak PositionSource
(ARIA)1ARIA
United Kingdom (OCC)1Official Charts
(OCC)1Official Charts
(Dance/Electronic, )1Billboard
(Ö3 Austria Top 40)3Ö3 Austria Top 40
(Ultratop Flanders)2Ultratop
(SNEP)8lescharts.com
(Offizielle Top 100)3Offizielle Charts
(IRMA)2IRMA
(RMNZ)2RMNZ
(Promusicae)4Promusicae
(Schweizer Hitparade)4Schweizer Hitparade

Accolades

Upon its release, Disco earned recognition across several major music awards. At the 2021 , the album was nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album, highlighting its polished sound. The album received a for Best Pop Vocal Album at the in 2022, acknowledging its vocal-driven disco tracks amid competition from other pop releases. Kylie Minogue was nominated for International Female Solo Artist at the 2021 , with Disco contributing to her body of work that year. In year-end rankings, Disco ranked number 9 on Billboard's 10 Best Dance Albums of 2020, noted for revitalizing elements. By 2025, the album's influence persisted in retrospective honors, including its #3 ranking in Rolling Stone's Best Albums of the for sparking a wave of dancefloor . Emerging fan-voted recognitions, such as nods in the 2024 Electronic Dance Music Awards, further underscored its enduring fanbase appeal.

Credits and track listing

Standard edition

The standard edition of Disco contains 12 tracks, all written by Kylie Minogue alongside various co-writers and produced by a team including PhD, Sky Adams, and Lostboy.
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Magic"Minogue, Buzz, Davidsen, Wallevik, BrunilaPhD4:10
2."Miss a Thing"Minogue, Ahern, Brunila, StadiBrunila, Stadi3:56
3."Real Groove"Minogue, Gaprestad, Brunila, Stadi, Nordlund, WiklundPhD3:14
4."Monday Blues"Minogue, Campbell, Cottone, AdamsAdams3:09
5."Supernova"Minogue, Cottone, AdamsLostboy3:17
6."Say Something"Minogue, Stannard, Howes, Green, Blackwell, MinogueStannard, Green, Blackwell3:32
7."Last Chance"Minogue, NapoletanoStannard3:03
8."I Love It"Minogue, NapoletanoStannard3:50
9."Where Does the DJ Go?"Minogue, Shah, Adams, HoustonAdams, Houston3:01
10."Dance Floor Darling"Minogue, Stannard, NapoletanoStannard3:12
11."Unstoppable"Minogue, Bevan, MillerMiller3:34
12."Celebrate You"Minogue, Cottone, Shah, AdamsAdams3:41

Deluxe edition

The deluxe edition expands the album to 16 tracks by adding four bonus songs, also written by Minogue with co-writers and produced similarly to the standard tracks.
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Till You Love Somebody"Minogue, Adams, Brunila, CampbellAdams, Campbell3:02
14."Fine Wine"Minogue, Cottone, AdamsAdams2:44
15."Hey Lonely"Minogue, Cottone, AdamsAdams3:28
16."Spotlight"Minogue, Shah, Houston, AdamsHouston2:42

Guest List Edition

Released in November 2021, the Disco: Guest List Edition is a two-disc reissue that includes the 16 deluxe edition tracks on Disc 1, plus 14 additional tracks on Disc 2 featuring new collaborations, remixes, and extended versions. Notable additions include "A Second to Midnight" (with ), "Kiss of Life" (with ), and "Can't Stop Writing Songs About You" (with ), alongside remixes such as the Lostboy remix of "Say Something" and the remix of "Magic". Disc 2 track listing:
No.TitleFeatured artist/remixLength
1."Till You Love Somebody"—3:02
2."Fine Wine"—2:44
3."Hey Lonely"—3:28
4."Spotlight"—2:42
5."A Second to Midnight"Years & Years2:54
6."Kiss of Life"Jessie Ware3:35
7."Can't Stop Writing Songs About You"Gloria Gaynor3:14
8."Real Groove" (Studio 2054)Dua Lipa3:25
9."Say Something" (Lostboy remix)—4:00
10."Magic" (Purple Disco Machine remix)—3:51
11."Dance Floor Darling" (extended)—5:20
12."Last Chance" (extended)—4:42
13."Where Does the DJ Go?" (extended)—4:50
14."Celebrate You" (extended)—5:00

Extended Mixes

In December 2021, Disco (Extended Mixes) was released as a companion featuring extended versions of all 12 tracks from the standard edition, including productions by for select mixes and extended cuts by the original producers. These versions emphasize the dance-oriented elements with longer intros and breakdowns.
No.TitleLength
1."Magic" (extended mix)5:32
2."Miss a Thing" (extended mix)5:20
3."Real Groove" (extended mix)4:23
4."Monday Blues" (extended mix)5:11
5."Supernova" (extended mix)4:56
6."Say Something" (extended mix)5:22
7."Last Chance" (extended mix)4:42
8."I Love It" (extended mix)4:53
9."Where Does the DJ Go?" (extended mix)4:50
10."Dance Floor Darling" (extended mix)5:20
11."Unstoppable" (extended mix)5:00
12."Celebrate You" (extended mix)5:00

Personnel

Kylie provided lead vocals and additional vocal engineering on the . The 's production was handled by a team of collaborators, including long-time partner Biff Stannard on keyboards and programming for several tracks, Sky Adams on production for six songs, and the Finnish duo and Nico Stadi on multiple tracks, alongside Duck Blackwell, Linslee Campbell, Jon Green, and Mark Ralph. Technical staff included mixing by the producers and engineers such as Sky Adams and , with mastering by Dick Beetham at 360 Mastering in . Recording took place at various studios, including Biffco Studios in , Fluff! in , Infinite in , Studios in , Phrased Differently in , Pulse Music Group in , Rabbit Villa in , Sky's Home Studio in , and Spark Studio in . No primary guest vocalists appear on the standard album tracks, though Dua Lipa features on the remix of "Real Groove," released separately as a single.
RolePersonnel
VocalsKylie Minogue
Keyboards, programmingBiff Stannard
ProductionBiff Stannard, Sky Adams, Teemu Brunila, Nico Stadi, Duck Blackwell
EngineeringKylie Minogue (additional vocals), Sky Adams, Teemu Brunila, Dick Beetham
MixingSky Adams, Teemu Brunila, producers
MasteringDick Beetham
Horns (additional)Not applicable (no verified horn section credits for core album)

References

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