Album Review

Goldfrapp – Head First

• 24th Mar 2010

Say what you will about Alison Goldfrapp – what is undeniable is the fact that she does something very different with each album. The whistling days of Felt Mountain right behind her, Headfirst is a retro collapse to the 70’s disco meets 80’s electronic era.

The first single off the album is Rocket which is perhaps a little too accurate to the above description. The tone of the album doesn’t change much from here – but perhaps becomes more recognisable as Goldfrapp – that is to say layered.

Bouncey is how you might best describe the electo beats of the opening numbers, in all their pink cheesy glory. It’s like a young girl realising her pop fantasy in all its sugar coating. There are moments of hope for those who prefer something a little darker. Dreaming could very well have been that if it weren’t for its lively chorus. Everything before that is a synth pop Heaven.

It’s a brave choice to take the music in this direction. There is a lot of resurrection in the industry today – but Goldfrapp have picked something that isn’t in the mainstream right now – whether it catches on time will tell. But there is a nagging suspicion that perhaps Alison Goldfapp has been present at too many 80’s nightclubs – or just seen Mamma Mia far too many times and suddenly had an itch she had to scratch.

“I wanna life” is probably the best exercise music video music you’ll find since the Flashdance soundtrack. Optimistic is perhaps the best word to describe the feeling of the album – and it is perhaps the best way to listen to the album – with warmth, passion and a full embrace of what sound it is using. If not it will probably be lost on you.