Sophie Ellis-Bextor Perimenopop
Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Perimenopop arrives as a spirited reclamation of U.K. dance-pop, marrying disco gleam with candid reflections on aging and motherhood. Critics agree the record opens with the kinetic “Relentless Love”, an immediate standout whose strings and coruscating programming set the tone, while uptempo moments like “Taste” and “Vertigo” sustain a sumptuous disco-pop run that often feels both nostalgic and freshly arranged.
Across two professional reviews, Perimenopop earned an 80/100 consensus score from critics, who praise the album's glamour, confident production, and moments of vulnerability. Reviewers consistently highlight “Relentless Love” and “Taste” as the best songs on Perimenopop
While both reviews celebrate the album's highs, some critics flag a mid-album dip where a few tracks lose momentum, making the collection feel uneven at times. Even so, the critical consensus frames Perimenopop as a worthwhile, often joyous return that balances reclamation and vulnerability, and secures Sophie Ellis-Bextor's place in the current dance-pop revival. Those reading further reviews will find detailed takes on the production choices and the record's commentary on ageism, motherhood, and self-acceptance.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
Don’t Know What You’ve Got Until It’s Gone
1 mention
"close Perimenopop with a gorgeous emotional nuance"— The Line of Best Fit
Relentless Love
2 mentions
"kicking off a long player with a bang as "Relentless Love" evinces"— The Line of Best Fit
Taste
2 mentions
"flashes of disco-pop – in classic-to-contemporary tones – pulse on "Vertigo", "Taste""— The Line of Best Fit
kicking off a long player with a bang as "Relentless Love" evinces
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Relentless Love
Vertigo
Taste
Stay On Me
Dolce Vita
Time
Glamorous
Freedom Of The Night
Layers
Diamond In The Dark
Heart Sing
Don’t Know What You’ve Got Until It’s Gone
(Christmas) Time
What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 4 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Perimenopop is a self-assured reclamation of U.K. dance-pop, and the best songs on Perimenopop confirm that. The album kicks off with “Relentless Love”, a throwback floorfiller that immediately stakes a claim as one of the best tracks on Perimenopop with vivid strings and coruscating programming. Elsewhere, uptempo cuts like “Vertigo” and “Taste” continue the rich, sumptuous disco-pop run that makes them standout moments. The record closes with the cooler synth-pop pair “Heart Sing” and “Don’t Know What You’ve Got ‘Til It’s Gone”, which together provide the emotional nuance that elevates the album overall.
Key Points
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Relentless Love is best for its vivid strings, punchy production, and status as a triumphant album opener.
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The album's core strengths are its reclamation of 2000s U.K. dance-pop, strong songwriting, and a balance of sumptuous disco-pop with emotional synth-pop closers.
Themes
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Critic's Take
Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Perimenopop is a joyous, disco-infused return where the best tracks - notably “Relentless Love” and “Taste” - stake their claim as the album's highlight moments. Maddy Smith writes in a celebratory, slightly bemused tone, noting how the record riffs on past glories while letting fresh collaborators lift songs like “Taste” into sleek, syncopated funk. The narrative praises the opening momentum and glamour, while conceding a dip at the midpoint that makes certain songs, like “Diamond In The Dark”, feel flatter by comparison. Overall the review frames the best songs on Perimenopop as those that marry Ellis-Bextor's trademark saccharine vocals with bold, groove-laden production.
Key Points
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The best song excels where saccharine vocals meet bold, groove-laden production, exemplified by 'Relentless Love'.
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The album's core strengths are its disco revival, confident aging narrative, and collaborative, dance-pop production.