‘Murder On the Dancefloor’ has been one of the most unlikely hits of 2024. And not only because the recording dates back to 2001. Its performer, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, had turned the page on disco music a while ago and, in recent years, he had published a series of pop albums aimed at an adult audience. The latest, ‘HANA’ (2023), was released only last year.
Following its appearance on ‘Saltburn’ (2024), ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ has resurfaced on the global charts this year, returning to number 2 in the UK and entering the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time. In addition, it has led to the signing of Ellis-Bextor for Universal.
Therefore, it is no surprise that, for her great return to the front line of pop, Sophie Ellis-Bextor has devised a sequel to ‘Murder On the Dancefloor’. In ‘Freedom of the Night’, Ellis-Bextor delivers a new nu-disco fantasy abandoned to the dance and euphoria of the night. He sings that he needs “a sweet release” and that is exactly what this composition offers, which includes Shura, author of the great ‘Touch’ (2016), in its credits.
But the real sequel to ‘Murder On the Dancefloor’ is visual. The video for ‘Freedom of the Night’ once again focuses on a dance contest, and once again stars a cheating competitor, played by Ellis-Bextor, who sets out to win the contest at all costs. This time, through her daughter, who competes in the children’s tournament, while Ellis-Bextor becomes the worst “dance mom” possible. Actor Colin Stinton returns to the jury chair.
Sophie Muller, who already directed the video clip for ‘Murder On the Dancefloor’, gets behind the camera again for ‘Freedom of the Night’ and offers the perfect sequel, a video clip just as good as the original or even better, which already must be counted among the best of 2024. Ellis-Bextor’s new album, ‘The Invisible Line’, is due for release soon.