Written by Susie Salva
Genre-smashing musical pioneers Goldfrapp have released “The Singles,” through Astralwerks. The album is a career-spanning overview featuring tracks from their five critically acclaimed albums, along side two brand new songs written especially for this release: “Yellow Halo,” a slow building synth-pop track, and the introspective and defiant new wave ballad, “Melancholy Sky,” The video for “Yellow Halo,” is streaming live on YouTube.
Goldfrapp has explored a range of musical styles in their songs, although many of the songs are characterized by Alison Goldfrapp distinctive breathy, soft soprano vocals and Will Gregory’s multi-layered synthesizer and string arrangements.
“The Singles,” is the first compilation from the band, taking the captivating electronic balladry of the Mercury-nominated debut album “Felt Mountain,” the distorted-dancefloor follow-up “Black Cherry,” the glitterball glamour of the Grammy nominated, worldwide million selling dance pop of “Supernature,” the critically acclaimed electro-folk “Seventh Tree,” and last year’s Grammy nominated album, the hands-in-the-air, retro futuristic “Head First.”
“The Singles,” begins with the electronic danceable, “Ooh La La,” as a fantastic way to start off the disc with the breathy, sexy vocals of Alison Goldfrapp. If you remember Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit In The Sky,” you will recognize that song running in the back of “Ooh La La.” Brilliant idea of pairing the two tracks together.
Will Gregory’s recognizable synthesizer sounds play out on “Number 1,” the second track has a memorizing electric drumbeat and invokes sounds from the ‘80s harkening back tunes reminiscent of Berlin’s Terri Nunn’s vocal acrobatics during that era.
“Strict Machine,” has those now iconic sensual vocals of Goldfrapp as “Utopia,” demonstrates again her sexy, breathy vocals that shapes the tune. At times her vocals are not understandable, but the synthesizer and strings helps move the tracks along.
“Happiness,” is a love song sung as a Beatles sounding track. “Ride a White Horse,” is a rousing disco song looking at the light and dark side and “Rocket,” explores her wanting to send her lover out into space and hoping he’ll never come back. The last three tracks are slow jams culminating in “Black Cherry,” and two new songs on this CD “Yellow Halo,” and “Melancholy Sky,” round out the disc.
“The Singles,” is an fantastic way to have all of Goldfrapp’s outstanding singles in one place. This electro-pop synthesized romp shows you why they are critics favorites with their use of Alison’s sensual and breathy vocals over the top some memorizing and hypnotizing sounds on the electro-disc.
