Looking Out At The Universe

Goldfrapp “Alive”

It’s easy to grasp the narrative gist of the previous two Goldfrapp albums in terms of what we know about Alison Goldfrapp’s personal life: Basically, Seventh Tree is a break-up/loneliness record, and Head First is about being happy with her new partner. The music for the former was heavy on acoustic instrumentation and atmosphere and light on rhythm, the latter is almost entirely ’80s synthpop pastiche. In terms of larger musical trends and market positioning, it’s a terrible time to go to the ’80s pop well — we’ve been glutted with that stuff for most of the past decade! — but as a reference point for the album’s emotional content, it makes a lot of sense. Whereas the previous album was mostly bitter and hopeless in tone, the songs on Head First are about feeling rejuvenated by finding a new love. It’s meant to seem exhilarating and perhaps a bit naive. It’s an earnest evocation of youthful yearning, but it’s an expression of adult emotions and experiences. “Alive” hits this point the hardest, and most successfully. It’s an announcement of joy: The dark times are over! Pleasure, optimism, and confidence have returned! At first it can seem a bit regressive, but ultimately the record is about being mature enough to overcome sorrow and self-pity.

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