Goldfrapp

'Head First' is Goldfrapp’s fifth studio album and follows on from the highly-acclaimed 2008 'Seventh Tree'. This time there is no more pseudo-folk music, but instead a glam look back at the 80’s, which for me is where Alison Goldfrapp’s vocals are best suited (prime example – Supernature).

The album is full of uplifting synth tracks, many with a very commercial sounds. 'Rocket’ was the natural opening shot in terms of singles and sets the tone well, although not many tracks touch this. 'Believer’ is probably as close as you’ll get with Human League synths accompanying Alison’s lush vocals. 'Alive’ has an even more retro feel, almost back to ELO and the 70’s in places – it’s a lighter sound but works very well, even with the retro synth sounds. 'Dreaming’ is in a similar place. Title track 'Head First’ has a Lennon 'Woman’ opening chord or two before morphing into a very ABBA-esque number – a slower one – but ABBA all the same.

'Hunt’ has a more current feel both musically and vocally – it’s less shiny and slightly darker in places. 'Shiny and Warm’ comes from the Supernature era – think 'Ooh La La’ with some squelchy synths. 'I Wanna Life’ (poor grammar) is a real big builder with catchy chorus and real feel-good sound – even if its boarding cheesy in places!!

It all closes too quickly with 'Voicething’; a gentler atmospheric number that brings things down to earth to finish this 37 minute journey of music history.

It’s a good pop album, in the loosest of terms, and houses some great future singles. Goldfrapp continue to teeter on the edge of stardom – perhaps this will be the album to propel them, Head First, into the big time!!