Another Step

"Another Step" is the fifth studio album by English pop singer Kim Wilde, released on 3 November 1986 by MCA Records. The album features her worldwide hit "You Keep Me Hangin' On," which reached No. 1 in the US, along with UK top 10 hits "Another Step (Closer to You)" and "Say You Really Want Me." The album contains 12 tracks (13 on the CD and cassette) and showcases a varied team of songwriters, with Wilde co-writing more than half of the tracks. The first half of the album features uptempo songs, while the second half consists of ballads. Most tracks were produced by Ricky Wilde, with contributions from Rod Temperton and Bruce Swedien, known for their work with Michael Jackson, as well as Reinhold Heil, Richard James Burgess, and Dick Rudolph.

The first single from the album was "Schoolgirl," released only in Australia and several European countries. It marked the first time Wilde co-wrote a song herself. The first globally released single was a cover of the Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On," which became Wilde's first number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1987. It also reached No. 1 in Canada and Australia and peaked at No. 2 in the UK. The next single, "Another Step (Closer to You)," a duet with Junior Giscombe, reached the top 10 in the UK. The third and final single was "Say You Really Want Me," which faced controversy when its video was banned from children's programming due to its suggestive content. Despite the publicity, the single did not achieve significant chart success, and the album saw no further releases. "Another Step" reached No. 40 in the US, marking Wilde's only album to perform better in America than in the UK, where it peaked at No. 88. The album was particularly successful in Norway, reaching No. 2, and in Canada, where it hit No. 11 and achieved Gold status.

The tracks on Another Step marked a departure from the synth-pop sound of Wilde's earlier albums, incorporating more guitars and a rock feel in songs like "The Thrill of It" and "I've Got So Much Love." The last five tracks were ballads, with "Don't Say Nothing's Changed" being notable as Wilde's self-penned and produced closing song. A repackage of the album was released shortly after the initial launch, featuring a new sleeve design and bonus tracks, but it only reached No. 73 on the UK Albums Chart. Although the reissue failed to reignite interest in the album, it has become a collector's item among fans. Despite the overall disappointing sales, Wilde established herself as a successful singles artist with this album and later expressed regret for not focusing more on the US market after her first number one hit.

Critical reception of Another Step varied. Caroline Sullivan of Melody Maker described it as Wilde's best LP, praising her embrace of camp appeal and noting the album's dramatic side. Mick Mercer, also writing for Melody Maker, had a less favorable view, criticizing Wilde's vocal range. Other reviews acknowledged the success of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" but felt much of the first half of the album was undistinguished. The second half received more favorable comments, particularly for the self-written "Don't Say Nothing's Changed." Various publications offered mixed critiques, comparing her style to other artists like Madonna and Sheena Easton, with some noting a familiar sound across her career.