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Kylie Minogue says she's her own "worst enemy" when it comes to putting pressure on herself.

The singer's just released her new album Aphrodite - her first new record for three years - and says she still suffers from nerves when she releases new material.

She told Newsbeat: "In some ways being this far down the line with my career is great because I know what I've learnt from experience.

"But experience can also teach you that there's a bit of luck involved, like the planets have to be in line and I think they did in this case.

"It doesn't mean I'm nerve-free the week of release at all but I do feel good. I'm my own worst enemy when it comes to demanding that I do the best possible."

The album release comes after Kylie's joint Glastonbury performance with her good friends Scissor Sisters.

She is especially close to lead singer Jake Shears and says she went to spend time with him in Berlin when they were both feeling "a bit lost".

'Lost twins'

She said: "We could confide in each other what we were going through, how to help each other through it. I've got a really close connection with Jake which seems kind of obvious when you see us together.

"We must have been brother and sister some time ago or long lost twins or something. It was good to have his advice.

"He's the best badly behaved friend you could have. At least he does it with a lot of heart. He's always trying to get me into trouble one way or another."

Jake also introduced her to Stuart Price who co-produced his latest album and ended up executive producing hers.

Morphs and changes

The subsequent effort, Aphrodite, has been well received so far, but does she ever have doubts?

She replies: "God yeah.

"It's a journey making an album and in this case we just launched into it. You've got to start somewhere.

"You don't know if you're in the right starting point and it turned out perhaps we weren't at the right starting point.

"The album morphs and changes and I really can't believe how well it's turned out and how pleased I am at the reception it's getting."

Kylie plans to start touring again next year but admits that sometimes the process of making an album can leave you a little bit shut out from the rest of the music world.

She said: "I think you have to at least have your eyes open and be aware of what's going on. I'd be lying if I said I was totally up to date with music.

"Sometimes when you're making it or working on it you're so in your own world you don't know what's going on."

As for the much-rumoured 'Kylie: the musical', she says there are definitely plans but that it may be some time off.

"It's in its infancy but it's definitely something I've already been thinking about for years. Even if you do have the time to be 100% committed it takes a while, so it's happening in the background.

"Mamma Mia! is the best reference, in that it's not a story about my life but the songs. I think I have enough songs now to cover most scenarios!"

The former Neighbours star is often in the papers, who pay close attention to how she looks, but Kylie admits she has her own way of keeping her feet on the ground.

She said: "I know that perfection doesn't exist so I just try to stay on top of things as much as I can.

"I feel very lucky that I've got a job where I can dress up and be flamboyant and glamorous and all of that but that's not my life and I'm in those track pants faster than you can say 'pop princess' by the time I get home."