Four years ago, for Record Store Day 2015, Goldfrapp reissued Felt Mountain (2000) on vinyl, signaling to some that subsequent reissues of the long players that followed their Mercury Prize shortlisted debut album were on the horizon as well. Alas, these additional re-releases never materialized, though the duo’s seventh LP Silver Eye arrived in 2017 to placate their devout fanbase.
Thankfully, Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory have just announced a vinyl reissue initiative that commences September 27th with the release of their second studio album Black Cherry on special edition purple vinyl, replete with an exclusive 12” x 12” print lifted from the original album artwork.
Relative to Felt Mountain’s ambient and operatic disposition, its successor represented a bold and adventurous musical pivot for the pair upon its release, as they embraced crunchier, more synth-heavy dancefloor tailored fare. Their musical risk-taking worked like a charm, solidifying the duo as refreshingly exempt from easy classification. Moreover, Black Cherry augured the group’s steadfast commitment to creative experimentation and Alison’s vocal versatility. Both are hallmarks of what we’ve come to embrace as the multi-faceted Goldfrapp sound, which continues to surprise and delight us in its defiance of stylistic predictability and aversion to sonic convention.
Though it’s a relatively compact 10-track, 43-minute affair, standout moments abound, including the Donna Summer indebted discotheque flare of “Strict Machine,” propulsive banger “Twist,” atmospheric headtrip of “Hairy Trees,” and glamtastic “Train,” the latter of which features contributions from Portishead’s Adrian Utley and the late Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse fame.
Revisit highlights from Black Cherry below and be sure to reserve your copy now.
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