On Disc: Sophie Ellis-Bextor – ‘Perimenopop’

Producers: Duck Blackwell, Luke Fitton, Chris Greatti, James Greenwood, Richard Jones, Karma Kid, Baz Kaye, Finn Keane, Kid Harpoon, Jon Shave, and Richard Stannard

Singles: “Freedom of the Night,” “Relentless Love,” “Vertigo,” “Taste,” “Dolce Vita,” and “Stay On Me”
Release date: September 12, 2025
Label: Decca
CD Catalog #: 7532946

The Skinny: The British pop singer, best known for her early-aughts hit “Murder on the Dancefloor,” delivers a fun set of 12 songs on her cleverly titled eighth studio album, Perimenopop. A must-hear for fans of dance music with elegant vocals and nu disco stylings.

Sounds like: Kylie Minogue, Madonna, Dua Lipa, and Lady Gaga

Deeper Thoughts: This decade has produced a slew of great pop albums with disco leanings – Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia, Kylie Minogue’s Tension, and Jessie Ware’s What’s Your Pleasure? are just a few that come to mind. Sophie Ellis-Bextor contributes to the disco renaissance with her terrific new LP Perimenopop. The production is impeccable. It’s got those signature disco strings but doesn’t overdo it. The songs flow together seamlessly – listening feels like you’re at a carefree dance party with a dialed-in DJ.

On “Freedom of the Night,” Bexton sings over a Moroder-esque bubbly synth line: “I can feel energy/I believe it’s healing me/All I need is sweet release.” Well, this album has a ton of energy, and while it comes short of healing me, it certainly lifts my mood. Breaking up the dance party are a couple of excellent midtempo numbers, the romantic “Time” and the reflective closer, “Got Until It’s Gone.”

The Sonics: I primarily listened with my Meze 99 Classics headphones, and the album’s four-on-the-floor bass stomp had the cans bumpin.’ The bass doesn’t overpower the tracks, though. The mix is well-balanced, and I was able to clearly pick out the layers of funky guitar licks and keyboard stabs.

Packaging: Digisleeve. Booklet contains lyrics, credits, and numerous photos of Ellis-Bextor.

Track listing:
1. Relentless Love (4:03)
2. Vertigo (3:31)
3. Taste (2:50)
4. Stay on Me (3:07)
5. Dolce Vita (3:31)
6. Time (4:08)
7. Glamorous (3:21)
8. Freedom of the Night (3:12)
9. Layers (3:23)
10. Diamond in the Dark (3:04)
11. Heart Sing (3:09)
12. Don’t Know What You’ve Got Until It’s Gone (3:12)

Total Length: 40:35