Formed in 1999, Goldfrapp has been putting out smooth electronic, synth driven glam rock on a regular basis ever since. The electrifying 2005 album, Supernature, seems to transport it's listeners to a gold dipped landscape in a different galaxy. An added bonus is that upon listening, it is very difficult to dwell on the everyday problems life presents.
The British Phonographic Society certified the album as platinum in the year of its release and it has since sold a million copies throughout the world. It also topped charts in Belgium, France, New Zealand and Switzerland to name but a few. The album ranked number 5 in the Top Electronic Albums on the UK Billboard 200 and was the first of the duo's creations to feature.
UK based duo, Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, play a duo of synths creating a full-sounding blend of rythms and bass lines that make it near impossible to sit still. Supernature is the first of Goldfrapp's album to add the electric guitar to the mix. The album features an array of synth sounds and also makes use of the bass drum and guitar. Alison Goldfrapp's sultry, rock-infused vocal covers a significant range of emotions throughout the album, from the dancefloor-ready “Lovely 2 C U” to the soft ballad, “Let it Take You”.
The duo write their own music, featuring additional composers on “Ride a White Horse”. Both members of Goldfrapp cite “Satin Chic” as their favourite track on Supernature. Goldfrapp went on to feature the track in their 2006 vinyl picture single, “Satin Boys, Flaming Chic”.It is difficult, as a listener, to select a favourite on the album, as each track has a special element that sets it apart from the others. “You Never Know” shows off the full range of Alison Goldfrapp's voice. “Ooh La La” is a wonderful glam-rock, disco track. “Satin Chic” features a fresh, old school grand piano sound, resulting in perhaps the most original track on Supernature.
Lyrically, the album is best described as free verse. Supernature is rich with effortless imagery, perhaps with “Koko” as the forerunner in this area. “Sharp as teeth and stars, I can't give you up, move like caramel” creates a strong visual and audio landscape among a collection of eccentric, avant-pop songs. The album covers a range of subject matter, some tracks more difficult to decipher than others. While “Slide In” is rumoured to be about sex, “Time Out from the World” echoes the emotions of a lovestruck artist, “Number 1” describes a more aggressive pursuit of a beloved. In those three songs alone, a wide range of emotions is covered. However, the album seems to maintain a similar mood throughout. Perhaps it is Alison's honeyish glam-rock vocal that ties the tracks together.
Although Goldfrapp have graced us with multiple equally original albums in the ten years since the release of the album, Supernature remains a high point in the duo's career, and in synth-pop as a whole. To quote the closing track on the album, Number 1, “You're my favourite moment, you're my Saturday” aptly describes my sentiments for Goldfrapp's Supernature.
