Goldfrapp
Supernature

THE REVIEW

It's early September last year when Miss Alison comes to visit us for the third time, adding the final piece to her ascending path towards the mainstream. Those who were disappointed by the decidedly electro-pop turn of the previous "Black Cherry" might find themselves completely baffled this time; there is no turning back on what has been, in fact, the path the beauty seems to be on is increasingly that of the '80s glam clubs, which is why it all boils down to the usual crossroads: you either hate it or love it.

Forget the enchanted and cinematic landscapes of "Felt Mountain", at first glance here everything seems colder and more detached; supported by electroclash and trip-hop bases, the melodies are submerged by filters and synthesizers until they recreate a lively and sensual atmosphere which, thanks to Alison's voice, becomes increasingly sexy and aggressive. There is something mechanical about the references to sex and transgression that punctually reappear... the porno chic of the single "Ride A White Horse" (an easily interpreted metaphor), the lustful and hypnotic tune of "Oh La La", or the kitsch glam of "Lovely 2 C U". Even the splendid atmospheres of "Time Out From The World" and "Let It Take You", in their successful attempt to make us soar above this glossy and dazzling world, don't escape some suggestive parentheses ("I want to feel you here").

With "You Never Know", however, Goldfrapp takes us back to the times of their first work, offering the highest moment of the album: her voice reaches really remarkable peaks, mixing mysterious melancholy and mystical exaltation not devoid of touching femininity. This is followed by tracks like "Satic Chic" (certainly designed for a duet), the romantic "Fly Me Away", the fervent "Koko", and the electro anthems "Number 1" and "Slide In".

You must have understood by now, with a few exceptions you navigate a sea of electronics that's decidedly captivating and intriguing, certainly very revival and heavily influenced by pop, but also reasonably original considering the times (house and techno more or less dominate the "serious" electronic sector), and capable of capturing you even if you never considered yourself a fan of glam.