In short, Golden is unequivocally something that Minogue can be proud of.
If nothing else, Golden further bolsters Minogue's reputation for taking risks—and artfully sets the stage for her inevitable disco comeback.
When Kylie stops trying too hard to sound like Dolly Parton and just concentrates on making great pop songs, Golden is a damn fine album.
When the country twang of its first 30 seconds gives way to a whoosh of dance-pop, the hybrid hoedown has begun.
While aesthetic shifts have been crucial to her career, Golden feels like the first time the window dressing is a distraction from a flawed yet deeply admirable album.
This is a refreshingly honest pop record—and whether you’re a casual Kylie fan or a devoted one, it will undoubtedly make you feel much closer to her.
The music on Golden sounds ill-fitting and even cheap at times, like a deathtrap ride that has been painted bright pink to distract the potential customer.
Ultimately, there is a place for this kind of music, but it feels horribly dated, like the parts you have to sit through at a gig before she plays the hits.