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Music Out Now

Goldfrapp - Supernature

From the off, Supernature is a colossal, multi-layered, sonic-pop thriller, a radical, confident, bold record, like a Roxy or Revolver for the twenty-first century: the acid-tinged, bewitchingly-sung "U Never Know", the irresistible, catch-all throb of "Lovely To See You", the roaring Numanoid synths of "Koko Nights" the woozy, orchestral dreamscape of "Time Out From The World", the perverted robotics of "Slide In" and the gorgeous, beguiling "Let It Take You". Before that, though, there's "Satin Chic" featuring Will, going berserk, on the honky-tonk piano. 

"Great fun," grins Alison, "quirky and a bit nasty but simple as well, lots of references to colours, competitiveness and possessiveness, exaggerated through these 'boings'. I remember, years ago, going to see Jah Shaka and thinking that he was absolutely amazing with all the homemade equipment he had and the sheer inventiveness. It was really inspiring and has stayed with me ever since. I was yelling in the studio, stupid with excitement. 'Get those 'boings' up'!"

And, of course, the traditionally sizzling Goldfrapp first single, "Ooh La La", a pulsing, sophisticated, glam-pop dynamo featuring Alison's homage to the almighty, aloof, playful vocals of classic Marc Bolan.

"Decadent and ooh-la-la," notes Alison, correctly. "We've always been into layered vocals and how they treated vocals on albums in the 70s, using slap-back effects and thick drum sounds. I love that campness, that slightly throwaway but slightly nasty poutiness which is always appealing. And Marc Bolan was always bloody great at that. As was Marlene Dietrich. Sulky, sexual and ambiguous."