Wonderful Electric (Live In London)

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It’s quite rare when someone with an amazingly unique voice sounds better in a live setting than in a recording studio, where everything between pitch and tone can be manipulated. But as <i>Wonderful Electric (Live in London)</i> reveals, Alison Goldfrapp’s velvety vocals are only a part of her performance attraction. Recorded live from Somerset House, the sultry opener, “Strict Machine,” oozes a cosmopolitan charisma as her inflections melt like honey over dark, pulsing electro-pop. And although the following “Train” undulates with similar rhythms, she takes a different approach here, sounding like Blondie-era Deborah Harry reinventing cabaret pop with electronic textures. More bleeps and blips are incorporated into “Tiptoe,” a steamy slice of futuristic R&B where whispered male vocals harmonize with Goldfrapp over a backdrop of '80s-tinged synth-pop that downshifts into a gossamer bridge. “Lovely Head” emits a hauntingly cool atmosphere, where chilling keyboard tones contrast '60s harpsichord to play like a long-lost opening song from a James Bond film.

via Apple Music