For the past few days, I’ve been indulging in a sea of wonderful new music. On the 23rd, my all-time favourite band, Goldfrapp, released their fifth album Head First. (Coincidentally, another favourite band of mine, She & Him, also released a new album that day as well, so I’ve been delighting in listening to both new albums – both of which are phenomenal!) For the last 5 days straight, the only two things playing in my iTunes have been either She & Him or Goldfrapp.

Where and when my love affair with the illustrious Goldfrapp began, I do not recall, but it seems that with the release of each new album, that obsessive place in my heart for their music seems to expand two-, or perhaps even three-, fold. Their fourth album, Seventh Tree, is quite possibly my favourite album of all-time. Of any musician. Ever. Quite a bold statement, I know… but that album is just pure, delicious folky love; so quite naturally, my hopes and expectations were very, very high for Head First. And man, oh man, Alison and Willⁱ did not disappoint!

Head First is a rainbow-bright, happiness-induced trip down memory lane taking cues from the vibrant and cheery mainstream pop sounds of the 80′s. The album perfectly channels that signature retro vibe of decades past while updating said musical style with Alison’s signature lyrics. Goldfrapp’s earlier albums (Black Cherry and Supernature) oozed sensuality, glamour, and sex appeal; Head First, while it takes an entirely different approach sound-wise, still hangs on to that mystery and darkness in a few instances that has become synonymous with the band. Songs like ‘Hunt’, ‘Voicething’, and ‘Shiny and Warm’ in particular come to mind as a link back to those earlier albums. The rest of the album I would say is an extension on lush and dreamy quality of Seventh Tree but taking a more danceable synth pop approach.

That’s one thing I love most about Goldfrapp – that they’re never afraid to completely erase their musical palette and tackle something entirely different from one album to the next. Their debut album Felt Mountain brought us the eerie and romantic side of electronica, Supernature and Black Cherry explore a sexy electro-dance vibe, We Are Glitter (a remix album) translates their music into the driving beats and rhythms of house music, and Seventh Tree explores a dreamier folk-pop aesthetic.

Any way you slice it, the duo are fearless with their musical style, which in turn does make it a bit difficult to pin down a ‘signature sound’ for the band. Of course, when you have the ingenius instrumental skill of Will, and the beautifully soaring vocal talent of Alison, that’s all you need. It captured my heart (or ears, I suppose), so I’d say that’s a formula fit for success.

And because no music post is complete without some tunes, here’s a little preview of one of my favourite songs from Head First: ‘Hunt‘.

“Head First is a love letter to the frothy, fleeting, but very vital joys of pop music.”ⁱⁱ

1. the duo who make up Goldfrapp (»)
2. Source: Allmusic.com (»)