(Mute/EMI)

Goldfrapp explore blissful disco sounds on album number five

Whatever style they choose to work in – whether it’s buzzing electro-glam of the Black Cherry era or the delicate, pastoral-tinged sounds of Seventh Tree – Goldfrapp specialise in crafting the kind of dreamy pop albums that you can get completely lost inside, revealing their delights over the course of many, many listens. Head First sees the duo playing around with yet another new sound – this time, it’s the sequenced Italo disco of the early ‘80s – although the end result is ultimately the same. Head First is a big, fluffy marshmallow of a record, with arpeggiated synths and chugging basslines recalling the cheesy, guilty pleasure pop of Giorgio Moroder or the Flashdance soundtrack. Anyone can pay tribute to the low-fi disco sound, and recently, a lot of people have, but that signature Goldfrapp style – Alison’s icy yet weirdly expressive vocals, Will’s gorgeous arrangements – lift Head First well above the rest. Opener Rocket is a delirious, head-rush of a track, promising to take you on a trip to the stratosphere and just about delivering. Believer and Alive have huge, festival-sized choruses, and indeed, will probably sound fantastic when slotted into the duo’s live show. Head First and Shiny And Warm are characteristically lush, and closing track Voicething might well be the most mysterious thing on the album. Goldfrapp have never released an album any less than excellent, and five records into their career, that’s a pretty big achievement.

****½

ALASDAIR DUNCAN

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