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Let’s Get Physical
Two recent releases that I highly recommend and that act as compliments to each other are “Headfirst” by Goldfrapp and “The Optimist” by New Young Pony Club. More people are probably familiar with Goldfrapp, the duo of Singer Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory. Their new album is a return to their electro-disco glam roots and is the ideal soundtrack to any jazzercise sesh or extended party filled with attractive well-dressed people. I think Goldfrapp produce some of the most consistently challenging yet equally appealing dance music in the last decade. All their albums ooze excess and glitter, but they’re amazingly well-crafted pop songs and as a lead singer Alison Goldfrapp is endless entertaining. She coos, she struts, she seduces the listener. In many ways she’s the closest to a David Bowie we have today. Like Bowie the duo consistently reinvent themselves and experiment, but it all has a very distinct “Goldfrapp sound” which means airy keyboards, drum machines and Alison’s ethereal voice. “Headfirst” continues this template but using more cheesy honky-tonk piano, moog synthesizers and a significantly more comparative outlook than their last few albums. “Headfirst” could easily have been played at a party in 1976 squeezed next to tunes by Roxy Music or Abba, which is the genius of Abba. They’re arty and highminded enough to please music snobs, but their pop hooks cannot be beat. If this world was fair they’d top charts around the world.
Like Goldfrapp, New Young Pony Club specialize in dance music but in a more organic way with post-punk guitars, tight drumming, and lead singer Tahita Bulmer’s voice which is simultaneous authoritative and sexy. However, while Goldfrapp come more from the glam background, NYPC have their roots much closer to the late 70’s and early 80’s in new wave and post-punk. Staccato guitars and the propulsive basslines hold the band down. Their new album is in the vein of their last in that it’s something you can’t help but dance to, but the lyrics are darker and the band takes the music to more experimental places. The album lags at points, but as I listen more it’s been growing on me. They don’t have the same daring attitude, bravado or style of Goldfrapp, but I definitely see this band going good places.
Overall I highly reccomend either for your next party.
-(Bebe)
