Goldfrapp
Issue #27
Supernature (Mute)
By Dean Ramos
Published: March 1st, 2006 | 12:00am
With its signature electronic flair and the sultry, beguiling vocals of a striking lead singer, Goldfrapp returns with its third full-length, Supernature. Having already switched gears from the ’60s pop stylings of its critically acclaimed debut, Felt Mountain, to the disco beat of the equally praised Black Cherry, Will Gregory and Alison Goldfrapp (whose surname they took collectively as their own) move forward through the 20th century into the ’80s. However, unlike many who draw inspiration from the Reagan era, Supernature doesn’t come off the least bit derivative or plagiaristic and remains unquestionably vintage Goldfrapp.
From the outset, it’s obvious that the duo had a bit more fun writing and recording this album than they did the others, coming off more playfully flirtatious this time around. The dreamy, yet mischievous “You Never Know” and the sexy dance-floor cut “Lovely 2 C U” exemplify this more fun-infused approach perfectly, as does the calculated raunchiness of “Ride a White Horse.” The album’s standout tracks, however, are “Fly Me Away,” whose lighthearted romanticism recalls ’80s pop radio at its best, and “Number 1,” which displays a heartfelt sweetness new for the twosome. (Both would sound even better under the glow of a disco ball.)
So while Gwen Stefani continues to pander to today’s youth by blatantly plagiarizing the past, and Madonna desperately tries to remain relevant, for those looking for a sophisticated, sexy pop icon for the here and now, meet your new idol, Alison Goldfrapp.
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