Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory seem to be caught in a back-and-forth dance.
Back in 2005, Goldfrapp delivered their third studio album — the dark synth-pop masterpiece, Supernature. Three years later, they returned with Seventh Tree, a gorgeous set of featherlight lullabies and gentle alt-folk melodies. In 2010, they came roaring back onto the scene on a rocket (pun!) with their throbbing slice of ’80’s-inspired electro-pop, Head First. And now, the tempo has dropped significantly once more to make way for a brand new sense of introspection.
Earlier today, the fabulously talented English electronic duo premiered “Drew,” the first song off of their upcoming album Tales Of Us, which is due out in early September. The album was recorded in the English countryside and, unlike anything they’ve ever done before, each song title — apart from one song (“Stranger”) — is a name, resulting in a complete set of first-person narratives.
“Drew” offers a first look and listen from Tales Of Us. Shot by filmmaker Lisa Gunning, the lush black-and-white narrative follows Alison through a dreamy mansion in the countryside as she revels in simple pleasures with some rather, err…liberated guests. (No spoilers, but where this video eventually leads is strictly clothing optional.) It’s surely one of the most well-edited, visually arresting videos of the year.
As for the song itself, “Drew” is a gentle, layered production. Alison’s sweet purrs melt across orchestral swells and a muted, folky strum, evoking a sort of cinematic Lana Del Rey-meets-James Bond nostalgia and intrigue.
Between the song and video, Tales Of Us already feels like Goldfrapp’s most ambitious project to date.
Tales Of Us will be released on September 9. (iTunes)
