Gossip ‘s return was announced with little fanfare, as the best surprises always are. But, while they’re always great to see live, this new studio album is something of a disappointment.
Rick Rubin is on board as producer, which ironically may be the problem. It often sounds too glossy, as though sonically airbrushed. The more unadorned songs- the moving, country-tinged ‘Peace and Quiet’ and majestic ‘Crazy Again’ -are spacious, leaving Beth Ditto’s gorgeous vocals room to shine.
But the title track, which references Blondie with its chiming bells, the slinky funk of ‘Act Of God’ and ‘Give It Up For Love’, with its Nile Rodgers rhythm seem too much in thrall to the disco ball than the queer ballroom culture.
They’ve diluted their sound for the festival crowd. I miss the raw approach of yore, with one foot on the dancefloor, the other in punk. Paying homage to Chic and the seventies pioneers is fine, it’s just too polished in Rubin’s hands.
Available now via Columbia
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