Ever since “Standing in the Way of Control” bleared into our ears via a pair of beat up headphones, Gossip’s grimy, sweat-stained dance punk has been the soundtrack to many of our late nights.
They’ve changed it up considerably in their subsequent releases, but the fierce sounds still remain. Lead singer Beth Ditto’s gospel-soul voice goes down smooth as Kentucky bourbon, and why wouldn’t it? The band started out in Arkansas after all.
Their latest LP, A Joyful Noise, is in stores now. A little glammier than its predecessors Music for Men, and Standing in the Way of Control, it nonetheless features the meaty tones that we’ve come to expect from the always sensational Ditto. The snarl of the guitar is gone, replaced in favour of cooly lush synth production. It’s a lot of disco; a little Madonna, and a dash of Siouxsie Sioux thrown in for good measure.
Produced by Brian Higgins of Xenomania (he’s done stuff with Kylie Minogue, Girls Aloud, and The Pet Shop Boys), it thrives on a certain subtlety. Ditto’s wails seem somewhat demure against the consistent, hard throttle of Hannah Bililie’s drums. Pick it up to add some glam to your summer jams.