Hubbry Logo
Real GrooveReal GrooveMain
Open search
Real Groove
Community hub
Real Groove
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Real Groove
Real Groove
from Wikipedia

"Real Groove"
Kylie Minogue wearing a green dress, putting her hands on her head. Digital lights are edited in while her first name appears in the top left and the song title "Real Groove" appears in the bottom right.
Single by Kylie Minogue and Dua Lipa[a]
from the album Disco
Released31 December 2020 (2020-12-31)
Recorded2020
Studio
GenreDisco-pop
Length
  • 3:14
  • 4:22 (Studio 2054 remix)
Label
Songwriters
Producers
  • Nico Stadi
  • Teemu Brunila
  • William Bowerman[b]
Kylie Minogue singles chronology
"Magic"
(2020)
"Real Groove"
(2020)
"Starstruck" (Kylie Minogue remix)
(2021)
Dua Lipa singles chronology
"Prisoner"
(2020)
"Real Groove" (Studio 2054 remix)
(2020)
"We're Good"
(2021)
Audio video
"Real Groove" on YouTube

"Real Groove" is a song by Australian singer Kylie Minogue from her fifteenth studio album, Disco (2020). The song was written by Minogue, Teemu Brunila, Nico Stadi and Alida Garpestad Peck, with a sense of optimism for days ahead during the COVID-19 pandemic. Brunila and Stadi also handled the production. It is a disco-pop song with house and R&B elements and features vocoders, a funk bass and post-disco synths. The lyrics see Minogue attempting to win an ex back. A new version, a duet with English singer Dua Lipa entitled "Studio 2054 remix", was released on 31 December 2020 as the album's third single by Darenote and BMG. The remix added William Bowerman as a producer with additional instrumentation and Lipa incorporating layered vocals and new lyrics.

Several critics compared "Real Groove" to the works of Daft Punk and of Lipa, particularly her second studio album, Future Nostalgia (2020). Some also appreciated the song's production. Commercially, the song reached number 95 on the UK Singles Chart while also charting within the top 100 of charts in Croatia and Hungary. It also reached number 15 on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. In late 2020, Minogue performed the song live at her Infinite Disco livestream concert, Lipa's Studio 2054 livestream concert and The Jonathan Ross Show. It was further promoted through remixes by Cheap Cuts, Claus Neonors and Initial Talk. The latter remix was chosen by Billboard as one of the best dance songs of 2021.

Background and composition

[edit]

"Real Groove" was co-written by Kylie Minogue, Teemu Brunila, Nico Stadi and Alida Garpestad Peck, with Brunila and Stadi also handling the production.[4] The song was written and recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic with a sense of optimism for brighter days ahead.[5] Due to lockdowns associated with the pandemic, Minogue recorded her own vocals from a home studio using GarageBand. Because of this, she found herself doing a lot more takes than she usually would to the point where she had to back away from her laptop; "Real Groove" was one of the songs that she did the most takes on. The singer desired to take the melody down half a tone and experimented with doing the song lower, but ultimately she realized that the higher notes were the "sweet spot".[6] Minogue stated that the song was "worth the effort" and that the listener does not know what is coming before it ends up "really pumping".[6] The song was recorded at Pulse Music Group in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, Rabbit Villa in Turku and Infinite Disco in London. The mastering was handled by Dick Beetham at 360 Mastering in Hastings, UK.[4]

Musically, "Real Groove" is a 1980s-influenced disco-pop song with house and R&B elements.[7][8][9][10] The song has a funky feel and uses vocoders, a slinky rhythm,[11][12] post-disco synths,[7] throbbing funk bass slaps,[8][13] slithering 1980s-styled strings,[14] talk box effects and digital editing.[15] Minogue uses Auto-Tuned sultry and rubbery vocals as well as Europop-inspired vocal melodies.[8][16][17] The lyrics talk about love being gained, lost and found again, with Minogue attempting to win her ex back.[18][19] The Studio 2054 remix adds vocals by English singer Dua Lipa and production from William Bowerman. It was also mastered by Beetham at the same location while recording took place at Assault & Battery in London and Flux Studios in New York City.[4] Minogue and Lipa recorded the remix after the positive reaction to their performance at Lipa's Studio 2054 livestream concert.[20] The remix increases the tempo and has an electro-disco production that introduces new layered instrumentation[8][21][22] including funk snaps and bouncing disco beats.[23][24] Lipa layers her vocals onto the chorus.[23] The Initial Talk Studio 2054 remix was remixed at Room 1989 in Tokyo.[4] It is a 1980s-styled, retro synth-pop track with the producer separating the previously layered vocals.[25]

Release and promotion

[edit]

"Real Groove" was released as the third track on Minogue's fifteenth studio album Disco through Darenote and BMG on 6 November 2020.[26] Prior to its release, Minogue teased that the song might be the album's third single on social media.[27] Minogue first performed the song during her Infinite Disco livestream concert, which was broadcast worldwide on 7 November 2020. However, the full performance of the song was uploaded to the singer's YouTube channel the previous day.[19][28] On 27 November 2020, Minogue performed the song as a duet with Lipa during the latter's Studio 2054 livestream concert.[29] The performance took place in a New York City boiler room rave-styled set that featured DJ Buck Betty on a DJ Deck performing.[30][31] Minogue jumped on the DJ deck for the performance;[32] the two also performed a duet version of Lipa's song "Electricity" (2018).[33] On 5 December 2020, Minogue performed the song on The Jonathan Ross Show.[34] The song was further promoted through Instagram, where fans could dance for an hour to it with a Minogue avatar that was created using Facebook's Creative Shop and Spark AR.[35]

In December 2020, Minogue confirmed that "Real Groove" would serve as the third single from Disco during her appearance on Graham Norton's Saturday Morning Show on BBC Radio 2.[36] The cover art for the song was revealed by the station on 24 December 2020, with Mike Wass of Idolator noting the "clean lines and general flawlessness" while saying it is reminiscent of the singer's Fever (2001) era. Around the same time, rumours that Lipa would feature on an alternate version of the song began circling.[37] A remix of "Real Groove" with Lipa, entitled "Studio 2054 remix" was released for digital download and streaming on 31 December 2020 as a single.[1][38] An extended play featuring the two singles alongside remixes of the song by Cheap Cuts and Claus Neonors was released on 20 January 2021.[39] The former remix channels throwback Daft Punk sounds while the latter is a more traditional remix.[40] On 5 March 2021, a remix of the Studio 2054 remix by Initial Talk was released.[2] A 7-inch single of "Real Groove" and the Studio 2054 remix was released on 30 April.[3] The Studio 2054 remix and the Studio 2054 Initial Talk remix were later added to the album's 12 November 2021-released reissue Disco: Guest List Edition, serving as the 20th and 25th tracks respectively.[41][42] An extended mix of the song appeared on the album's extended mixes version, released 10 December 2021.[43]

Critical reception

[edit]

For DIY, Lisa Wright said the song "comes in like the PG cousin" of Lipa's "Hallucinate" (2020).[44] Nick Levine of NME named the song a "funky strut" while noting that it "wouldn't sound out of place" on Lipa's second studio album Future Nostalgia (2020).[45] HuffPost's Matt Bagwell also compared the song to the album.[46] In Slant Magazine, Sal Cinquemani complimented the use of talk boxes and digital editing in the production, stating they add "sonic interest".[15] Clash writer Robin Murray stated the song "more than delivers on its title".[9] Writing for musicOMH, Nick Smith viewed the song as "sassy" and a "funky affair" while noting influences from Daft Punk.[47] In Variety, Andrew Barker also compared the song to Daft Punk's works and named it a highlight on Disco. He went on by stating it "simply focuses on proving that, at 52, she's still capable of filling a dance floor as well as anyone half her age".[48] In a review for Billboard, Gil Kaufman observed "silk shirt Tony Manero vibes" in the song.[23]

Konstantinos Pappis of Our Culture Mag named "Real Groove" a highlight on the album and called it "smooth and slinky".[49] In a review from Associated Press, Cristina Jaleru complimented the "Daft Punk-esque undertones".[17] Wass called the song a "funky banger" that opens with a "chunky bass line".[19] God Is in the T.V.'s Richard Wiggins praised the song for being "unashamedly groovy and retro but with updated sensibilities to suit the palette of today's pop audiences".[50] For the BBC, Nick Levine named the song a "funky strut", while Mark Sutherland of Music Week called it a floorfiller and party-starter.[51][52] The song was named a highlight on the album by Ahad Sanwari for V and Paper's Shaad D'Souza said it "pull us out of a funk and onto the dancefloor".[53][54] The staff of Rolling Stone called the song a "a perfect slice of dancefloor disco-pop".[8]

Wass called the Studio 2054 remix of "Real Groove" a "shimmery banger".[55] Jordan Robledo of the Gay Times called the remix an "epic collaboration" while complimenting the "incredible" synths and the production "that will surely get fans dancing all night long".[22] Uproxx's Derrick Rossignol said the remix is "a ton of fun" while comparing it to Future Nostalgia.[56][57] Kaufman complimented Lipa's vocals, saying she perfectly melds them into the song.[23] For The Line of Best Fit, Cerys Kenneally called it a "perfect fit" for Future Nostalgia.[24] D'Souza praised the Studio 2054 Initial Talk remix for being "totally sublime, a little sinister, and altogether something [he] didn't know [he] needed at all".[58] Billboard placed the Studio 2054 Initial Talk remix as one of the best dance songs of 2021, with writer Lucas Villa comparing it to Future Nostalgia and Minogue's early work. He additionally said it is an "irresistible remix" that "felt familiar, yet fresh, while reiterating Queen Kylie's staying power on the dance floor".[25]

Commercial performance

[edit]

As an album track, "Real Groove" debuted at number 36 on the UK Independent Singles Chart.[59] Following the release of the Studio 2054 remix, the remix entered the UK Singles Downloads Chart at number 25 with only one day of tracking.[60] The following week, it debuted at number 95 on the UK Singles Chart while re-entering the Independent Singles Chart at number 27.[61][62] Following its release on vinyl, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number 97;[63] it additionally re-entered the Independent Singles Chart at number 22 and the UK Singles Sales Chart at the summit.[64][65] The song was the fourth best selling vinyl single of 2021 in the UK.[66] In the US, the song entered the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart at number 26 as an album track. Following the release of the Studio 2054 remix, the song re-entered the chart at number 37 with one day of tracking, earning 811,000 streams that marked an increase of 468 percent. It peaked at number 15 the following week, becoming Minogue's highest charting single on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.[67][68] The song spent a total of 12 weeks on the chart.[69] "Real Groove" additionally charted at number 89 in Croatia, number 16 in Hungary and number 8 on the New Zealand Hot Singles Chart.[70][71][72]

Track listings

[edit]

Personnel

[edit]
  • Kylie Minogue – vocals
  • Teemu Brunila[c] – production, guitar, drum programming
  • Nico Stadi[c] – production, guitar, bass, strings, string arrangement, keyboards, drum programming, mixing
  • Dick Beetham – mastering
  • Dua Lipa – vocals[b]
  • Izzy Chase – backing vocals[b]
  • Wilson Atie – backing vocals[b]
  • Elize Kellman – backing vocals[b]
  • Naomi Scarlett – backing vocals[b]
  • Ed Seed – guitar[b]
  • Alex Hancox – bass[b]
  • Stevie Blacke – cello, viola, violin, string arrangement[b]
  • Leah Zeger – violin[b]
  • Georgie Ward – piano, synthesizer[b]
  • Samson Jatto – drums[b]
  • Richie Kennedy – recording engineer, mixing[b]
  • John Muller – vocal recording engineer[b]
  • William Bowerman – production[b]

Charts

[edit]

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Real Groove"
Region Date Format(s) Version(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various 31 December 2020 Studio 2054 remix
[1]
20 January 2021 EP [39]
5 March 2021 Studio 2054 Initial Talk remix [2]
30 April 2021 7-inch single
  • Original
  • Studio 2054 remix
[3]

Footnotes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Real Groove was a New Zealand monthly music and pop culture magazine published from October 1992 to October 2010, spanning 196 issues. Originally launched as a free by Real Groovy Records in , it transitioned into a paid newsstand title in the late and was acquired by Tangible Media in 2008. The publication was renowned for its in-depth articles, artist interviews, album and gig reviews, and insightful commentary on the music industry, earning it a reputation as New Zealand's only serious music magazine. It played a significant role in documenting and influencing the local music scene, covering both emerging Kiwi talents and international acts over its 18-year history. Facing declining print media viability, Real Groove ceased independent publication in 2010, merging its content into the free weekly The Groove Guide to create a broader national pop culture outlet distributed across the country. However, The Groove Guide was discontinued in May 2011.

Production

Background and development

"Real Groove" was developed during the sessions for Kylie Minogue's fifteenth studio album, , which began in late 2019 and continued into 2020 amid the . Lockdown restrictions forced Minogue to shift to remote collaboration and home-based production, where she created initial demos using on her laptop in a makeshift setup. This DIY approach allowed her to experiment freely, though it presented challenges like technical glitches and self-engineering vocals. The track draws inspiration from the era's need for uplift and , with Minogue aiming to capture joyful, optimistic vibes that contrasted the global uncertainty of the . Co-written by Minogue alongside , Nico Stadi, and Alida Garpestad Peck, the song emerged as a beacon of positivity, reflecting broader themes of connection and dance-floor reverie central to Disco's ethos. Minogue's personal involvement extended to multiple vocal takes recorded at home, where she fine-tuned the melody—experimenting with pitch adjustments before settling on higher notes for their energetic "sweet spot." Following the album's release in November 2020, Minogue selected "Real Groove" as the third single, succeeding "Say Something" and "." This choice highlighted the track's vibrant potential to extend 's celebratory momentum into the new year.

Composition and lyrics

"Real Groove" is classified as a -pop track infused with and R&B elements, drawing on synths and a funky groove that evokes the escapist energy of the floor. Critics have noted its similarities to the electronic sound of , particularly through the use of effects on Minogue's vocals, which add a robotic, filtered texture reminiscent of their production style. The also shares stylistic affinities with early 2000s tracks, blending retro revival with polished modern production to create an upbeat, nostalgic vibe. Structurally, "Real Groove" adheres to a conventional verse-chorus form, clocking in at 3:15 in length. It is set in with a of approximately 117 beats per minute, featuring a 4/4 that supports its danceable rhythm. Instrumentation highlights include prominent funk basslines inspired by classic acts like , layered synth hooks, and groovy, slinky rhythms that drive the track's momentum. Minogue's breathy vocals, processed with vocoders, glide over these elements, enhancing the song's retro-futuristic appeal. Lyrically, the explores themes of rekindling romance and recapturing an intimate connection, emphasizing a unique "real groove" shared between lovers amid competition from others. Key lines such as "Feel my heartbeat / It's the same old feeling coming over me tonight" convey a sense of familiar passion resurfacing, while the chorus asserts superiority in emotional and physical sync: "Got that / But she don't move you / Come on let's get into it / Can you feel that real groove?" This narrative of beneath confident underscores the track's escapist ethos, inviting listeners to lose themselves in the groove as a form of romantic revival.

Recording and personnel

Recording sessions for "Real Groove" occurred in 2020 amid the , with recording her vocals in her home studio in after planned in-person with producer in was disrupted by lockdowns, leading to instead. The track was produced by and Nico Stadi. Brunila and Stadi contributed guitar, with Stadi also handling bass, strings (including arrangements), keyboards, and drum programming. Mixing was handled by Nico Stadi.
RolePersonnel
Lead vocals
Guitar, Nico Stadi
Bass, strings, string arrangement, keyboardsNico Stadi
Producer, Nico Stadi
Mixing engineerNico Stadi

Release and promotion

Single release and formats

"Real Groove" was released as the third single from Kylie Minogue's fifteenth studio Disco on 31 December 2020, via and Darenote. The single featured the Remix by , with guest vocals from , timed for a celebratory digital launch. It was made available for digital download and streaming worldwide in formats including AAC (256 kbps), FLAC, and WAV (24-bit hi-res). The digital single's track listing consisted of a single track:
  • "Real Groove (Studio 2054 Remix)" – 4:22
A limited-edition 7-inch vinyl single followed on 30 April 2021, pressed on transparent green vinyl with exclusive artwork and distributed as an online exclusive in the UK and . The vinyl featured the original album version on the A-side and the remix on the B-side, under BMG (catalogue number 538669601). Its track listing was:
  • A. "Real Groove" – 3:14
  • B. "Real Groove (Studio 2054 Remix)" – 4:22
RegionDateFormatLabelCatalogue
Worldwide31 December 2020Digital download, streamingBMG Rights Management, Darenote
UK, Europe30 April 20217-inch vinyl, limited edition, greenBMG538669601

Marketing and live performances

Promotion of "Real Groove" involved teasers shared on social media platforms, where Minogue posted clips highlighting the song's choreography to build anticipation for her virtual events. The track's remix featuring Dua Lipa was released on New Year's Eve 2020, aligning with end-of-year celebrations to capitalize on festive moods. Additionally, "Real Groove" was featured on the 2021 reissue of Minogue's album Disco: Guest List Edition, which included new collaborations and remixes to extend the original release's reach. The song debuted live during Minogue's Infinite Disco livestream concert on November 7, 2020, a virtual event adapted for pandemic restrictions that sold nearly 30,000 tickets worldwide. This performance, emphasizing the track's infectious disco rhythm to engage remote viewers, was later uploaded to YouTube, accumulating over 6 million views. Minogue also performed "Real Groove" at Dua Lipa's Studio 2054 virtual concert on November 27, 2020, showcasing a collaborative rendition that highlighted the song's adaptability for online audiences. Minogue performed the song on The Jonathan Ross Show on 5 December 2020. As of 2025, Minogue has included "Real Groove" in her Tension Tour setlist, with performances in cities such as Toronto (March 2025) and Stockholm (June 2025), and a live version from the tour was released. These virtual and live showcases underscored the song's danceable energy, designed to foster communal vibes despite physical distancing.

Remix versions

The Studio 2054 Remix of "Real Groove," featuring and running 4:22 in length, was released on December 31, 2020, as a digital single. This version incorporates additional verses and layered vocals from Lipa, including new that complement the original's theme of romantic pursuit, while enhancing the track's elements through added instrumentation and a slightly more upbeat . The remix originated from Minogue and Lipa's collaborative performance at Lipa's livestream concert on November 27, 2020, with subsequent vocal recordings conducted remotely due to restrictions. The Remix charted independently in select regions, reaching number 8 on the New Zealand Hot Singles Chart. It effectively bridged Minogue's revival on Disco with Lipa's contemporary -pop aesthetic from her era, uniting their shared influences in a collaborative format that amplified the track's dancefloor appeal. Other variants include the Extended Mix (4:23), released on December 10, 2021, as part of DISCO (Extended Mixes), which expands the original's structure for club play; the Cheap Cuts Remix (4:24); and the Studio 2054 Initial Talk Remix (3:43), a further house-infused take released on March 5, 2021. The Real Groove EP, issued on January 20, 2021, bundled the original version (3:14), the Studio 2054 Remix (4:22), the Cheap Cuts Remix (4:24), and the Claus Neonors Remix (3:50), providing diverse sonic explorations of the song's groove-oriented foundation.

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release as part of Kylie Minogue's 2020 album Disco, "Real Groove" garnered positive critical acclaim, with reviewers highlighting it as a standout track that exemplified the album's vibrant energy. contributed to the album's overall score of 7.5 out of 10. Similarly, awarded Disco four out of five stars, praising "Real Groove" for its seamless fit alongside contemporary acts, noting it "wouldn't sound out of place on Dua Lipa's recent ." Variety echoed this sentiment, calling the track one that "would have been entirely at home on ’s last album," underscoring its retro-modern blend of synths and slinky rhythms. Critics frequently lauded the song's production and Minogue's vocal delivery for their infectious, dancefloor-ready appeal. The Guardian included "Real Groove" among its writers' favorite tracks of , recognizing its role in delivering a "shimmering stream of dancefloor bangers" amid the album's euphoric escapism. later selected the Studio 2054 remix featuring for its list of the 40 best dance songs of 2021, affirming its status as a top dance track of the year through its groovy synergy and club-oriented vibe. The remix version, released in late 2020, drew particular praise for the artistic collaboration between Minogue and Lipa, often described as a generational torch-passing in pop-disco. Rolling Stone characterized it as "much torch-passing as like-minded collaboration," emphasizing how Lipa's contribution amplified the track's futuristic funk and broad appeal. In subsequent years, as Minogue entered her Tension era with the 2023 album of the same name, retrospective reviews and tour coverage tied "Real Groove" to her ongoing disco revival, positioning it as a enduring highlight in live medleys that blend her catalog's high-energy anthems.

Commercial performance

"Real Groove" experienced moderate commercial success, particularly following the release of its remix featuring . The original version from Kylie Minogue's 2020 album debuted at number 26 on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart in November 2020, driven by album streams and airplay. The remix, released on December 31, 2020, as part of the Disco: Guest List Edition reissue, significantly boosted the track's performance. It propelled the song to a new peak of number 15 on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart dated January 16, 2021, her highest ranking on the chart at the time. The remix generated a 468% surge in US streams, with combined versions accumulating 811,000 streams in the tracking week ending January 7, 2021. It also reached number 100 on the year-end Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart for 2021. In the , the entered the Official Singles Chart at number 95 in January 2021, spending two weeks in the top 100, while topping the Official Singles Sales Chart upon release. It also reached number 27 on the Indie Singles Chart. Regionally, the track peaked at number 16 on Hungary's Single Top 40 chart and number 89 on Croatia's ARC Top 100. The song demonstrated strong digital sales and streaming presence globally, with the Studio 2054 remix surpassing 28 million streams on as of late 2025. Its inclusion in the Disco reissue and Lipa's high-profile livestream performance further amplified visibility and consumption across platforms like .

Charts

Weekly charts

"Real Groove" entered the UK Singles Chart on 14 January 2021 at number 95, marking its peak position, and remained on the chart for two weeks. It also appeared on the Singles Sales Chart, debuting at number 1 on 7 January 2021 and spending seven weeks in total, though the main singles chart entry was brief. In the United States, the remix of "Real Groove" climbed to number 15 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart dated 16 January 2021, up from number 37 the previous week, and spent 12 weeks on the chart overall. In , the remix reached number 8 on the Hot Singles Chart on 11 January 2021. It also peaked at number 16 on the Hungarian Single Top 40 in February 2021. The following table summarizes the peak positions and weeks on chart for "Real Groove" and its remixes across selected territories:
Chart (2021)PeakWeeks on chart
Hungary (Single Top 40)16
Hot Singles (RMNZ)8
UK Singles (OCC)952
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs ()1512

Year-end charts

"Real Groove" demonstrated sustained popularity into 2021, particularly following the release of the remix featuring , which propelled the track back onto various international charts and extended its commercial lifespan across the year. The remix's success contributed to the song's inclusion in annual compilations and rankings, reflecting its enduring appeal in the electronic genre.

Release history

{| class="wikitable" !Date !Format !Label
!Ref.
31 December 2020
Digital download – remix
(US), Liberator – (UK), (worldwide)
-
20 January 2021
Digital download – EP
(US), Liberator – (UK), (worldwide)
-
5 March 2021
Digital download – Initial Talk remix
(US), Liberator – (UK), (worldwide)
-
30 April 2021
7-inch single
• Original
remix
(UK)
}

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.