Head First | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 19 March 2010 | |||
Recorded | July–December 2009 in Bath and London | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 38:08 | |||
Label | Mute | |||
Producer | ||||
Goldfrapp chronology | ||||
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Singles from Head First | ||||
Head First is the fifth studio album by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp, released 19 March 2010 by Mute Records. The album debuted at number six on the UK Albums Chart, selling 23,261 copies in its first week. It was supported by three singles: "Rocket", "Alive" and "Believer". Head First received a nomination for Best Electronic/Dance Album at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. [4]
"I think we just wanted something really simple and that had a sort of euphoric-ness to it. A kind of slightly surreal but dreamy quality—pink clouds and [the feeling that] you can carry on forever. A sort of slight fantasy feeling."
In July 2009, Goldfrapp announced that they had begun recording their fifth studio album, [6] with recording sessions taking place in Bath and London. [7] A photoshoot for the album took place in November 2009. The duo hoped to have the album completed by December 2009. [8] A press release issued ahead of the release described Head First as their "most powerful trip to date, a speedy rush of synth optimism, euphoria, fantasy and romance. With life affirming lyrics and stellar production it lifts off at full tilt and takes us on a journey to the heart of 2010." [9]
Alison Goldfrapp explained that the upbeat nature of the album was inspired by her desire to create something "a little bit like Supernature , but that had a warmer sound—maybe not as hard." [5] Describing their previous album Seventh Tree as an "intimate, dreamy, more introspective album" which was created in response to deep unhappiness with her personal life following the tiring Supernature tour, Head First was a reaction to wanting "to get out the synths again, put your hands in the air" and "set about making an 'up' album." [5]
In the following years, after re-signing to Mute following its split from parent label EMI, Goldfrapp expressed dissatisfaction with the recording process and final composition of the album. Will Gregory described a "schedule" provided by EMI which they felt "blackmailed into sticking to", despite needing "another six months on Head First really." [10] This rushed process was something which they specifically aimed to address when recording their next album Tales of Us . [10] In terms of the artistic direction for Head First, Goldfrapp described the process as "very nasty"; [10] EMI had pressured them to create a more commercial sound which was at odds with their plans for the record and their image. [10] [11]
Overall, Goldfrapp expressed "not [feeling] very proud" and "not [being] crazy about" the album, describing it as too "on the nose". [12] While singling out affection for "Voicething" and "Shiny and Warm" and admitting that there were "some good tunes on there", she felt as though they "should have given them to someone else instead of us releasing them as Goldfrapp." [12] In discussing re-signing with Mute after its separation from EMI, Goldfrapp expressed pleasure in their independence "and a new management who are on our side, they're not trying to make a quick buck" and that "it did feel like a new start... 'we're going to do what we want to do'." [10]
Aggregate scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AnyDecentMusic? | 6.3/10 [13] |
Metacritic | 68/100 [14] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Entertainment Weekly | B [16] |
The Guardian | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Independent | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
NME | 6/10 [1] |
Pitchfork | 6.6/10 [19] |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Slant Magazine | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Spin | 8/10 [21] |
The Times | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Head First received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 68, based on 22 reviews. [14] Heather Phares of AllMusic stated that the album "proves that Goldfrapp's skill at adopting and fully embodying different styles is what makes them distinctive, not necessarily one signature sound", while noting the influence of Giorgio Moroder, ABBA and Xanadu -era Olivia Newton-John. [15] Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly wrote that "Head First sounds as if [Goldfrapp have] been commissioned to paint the inside of Olivia Newton-John's mind, circa 1980: all strobe-lit synths, feathery vocals, and goofy synonyms for sex." [16] Ian Wade of BBC Music raved, "Free of anything in the slightest bit terrible, Head First is amazing stuff." [23] At Spin , Lindsey Thomas commented that "Will Gregory creates a pitch-perfect neon-lit '80s wonderland with Hi-NRG bass lines and plenty of that fat synth sound made famous by Van Halen's 'Jump.'" [21]
Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine opined that "Head First is a brief trip, but it's saturated with enough hi-NRG motifs and sounds for countless sweaty workouts at Jack LaLanne." [20] In a mixed review, Alexis Petridis of The Guardian noted that "Head First returns Goldfrapp to commercial waters—this time the glossy, optimistic 1980s pop that provides the playlist backbone of Magic FM", but found that "there are instances when the songwriting isn't that exciting, when the choruses don't ascend quite as stratospherically as they're supposed to, and you're left listening to what is, in essence, an MOR pop album." [17] Rolling Stone 's Will Hermes expressed that Head First "may be the most lovingly detailed synth-pop album since the golden days of Yaz and Kim Carnes. Yet expert execution doesn't always signal a good idea." [2] Peter Paphides of The Times wrote, "The best moments on [...] Head First—'Believer' and the title track—also double as its uncoolest ones." [22] Marc Hogan from Pitchfork remarked, "Bringing 1980s roller-disco synth-pop motifs out of mothballs has given the UK duo their most immediately entertaining album since 2005 electro-glam juggernaut Supernature ", but felt that the duo "fail to give each song a face as memorable as the overall album's Jane Fonda workout-video get-up." [19]
The album also received criticism for following the musical directions of artists that are said to have been influenced by Goldfrapp. Andy Gill of The Independent observed that "Goldfrapp now suddenly effect a complete volte-face on Head First, heading back to the electronic pop of their three previous releases", which is "a curious, circuitous trajectory which gives the impression that Goldfrapp are in the invidious position of playing catch-up to all the Gagas, LaRouxs [ sic ] and Little Boots upon whom they must surely have been a major influence." [18] Barry Nicolson of NME commented, "Once the source of pop inspiration, now it seems they're content to follow", concluding that the album is "basically an upbeat electro-pop record with one foot in the '80s, much like roughly 85 per cent of music made in the last two years." [1] Kitty Empire of The Observer agreed, stating, "Having pre-empted the wave of womanly electro, they appear now to be behind rather than ahead of the curve", while calling the album "decent but unsurprising". [24]
Head First debuted at number six on the UK Albums Chart with 23,261 copies sold in its first week, [25] earning Goldfrapp their third consecutive top-10 album. [26] The album had sold 70,000 copies in the United Kingdom by December 2010, [27] and on 22 July 2013, it was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). [28] In the United States, Head First debuted at number 45 on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 10,000 copies, [29] [30] becoming the duo's highest-peaking album on the chart. [31] As of June 2013, the album had sold 39,000 copies in the United States. [32]
All tracks are written by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Rocket" | 3:51 |
2. | "Believer" | 3:43 |
3. | "Alive" | 3:28 |
4. | "Dreaming" | 5:07 |
5. | "Head First" | 4:30 |
6. | "Hunt" | 4:34 |
7. | "Shiny and Warm" | 3:58 |
8. | "I Wanna Life" | 4:13 |
9. | "Voicething" | 4:44 |
Total length: | 38:08 |
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United Kingdom (BPI) [28] | Silver | 70,000 [27] |
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Australia | 19 March 2010 | EMI | [60] [61] | |
Germany | [62] [63] | |||
Ireland | Mute | [64] [65] | ||
Italy | EMI | [66] [67] | ||
Netherlands | [68] [69] | |||
France | 22 March 2010 | Digital download | [70] | |
Sweden | [71] | |||
United Kingdom |
| Mute | [72] [73] [74] | |
United States | 23 March 2010 |
| [75] [76] | |
Sweden | 24 March 2010 | CD | EMI | [77] |
France | 28 March 2010 | [78] | ||
United States | 12 April 2010 | LP + CD | Mute | [79] |
United Kingdom | 17 April 2010 | Cassette [a] | [80] |
Goldfrapp were an English electronic music duo from London, formed in 1999. The duo consisted of Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory (synthesiser).
Felt Mountain is the debut studio album by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp. It was released on 11 September 2000 by Mute Records. The album takes influence from a variety of music styles such as 1960s pop, cabaret, folk and electronica.
Black Cherry is the second studio album by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp, released on 23 April 2003 by Mute Records. It marked a departure from the ambient sound of their debut album, Felt Mountain (2000), incorporating glam rock and synth-pop music; inspirations were Spanish disco group Baccara and Swedish techno artist Håkan Lidbo. The album was met with positive reviews, with many critics complimenting its blend of retro and modern electropop music.
Supernature is the third studio album by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp, released on 17 August 2005 by Mute Records. The album received generally favourable reviews, with most critics complimenting its blend of pop and electronic music. It debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart with first-week sales of 52,976 copies, and has been certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Supernature has sold one million copies worldwide.
Alison Elizabeth Margaret Goldfrapp is an English musician and record producer, known as the vocalist of English electronic music duo Goldfrapp.
English electronic music duo Goldfrapp have released seven studio albums, two live albums, two compilation albums, four extended plays, 25 singles, eight promotional singles, one video album and 29 music videos. The band was formed in 1999 in London, and consists of Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory (synthesiser).
"Number 1" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp from their third studio album, Supernature (2005). Written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, the song features a synthesiser and bass guitar arrangement and was written about the importance and meaningfulness that somebody shares with another, despite that it might not necessarily last.
"Strict Machine" is an electronic dance song written by British electronic music duo Goldfrapp and Nick Batt for Goldfrapp's second studio album, Black Cherry (2003). It was produced by Goldfrapp and describes laboratory rats in neuroscience experiments. Alison Goldfrapp read in a newspaper about experiments in which scientists stimulated rats' brains so that the rats would feel joy when following commands. She was inspired to write "Strict Machine" based on images of the experiment and "more human aspects of machines and sex and control". Actress Gwendoline Christie features on the record sleeve disguised in a rabbit mask.
"Fly Me Away" is an electronic song performed by British group Goldfrapp. The song was written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory for the duo's third album Supernature (2005). The song features a synthesizer and orchestral arrangement and was written about the need to escape from the troubles of daily life.
Seventh Tree is the fourth studio album by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp, released on 22 February 2008 by Mute Records. It was named after a dream Alison Goldfrapp had about a "very large tree". Taking inspiration from paganism and surreal English children's books, Goldfrapp described the album as a "sensual counterpoint to the glitterball glamour of Supernature", their previous studio album from 2005.
Sounds of the Universe is the twelfth studio album by English electronic music band Depeche Mode, released on 17 April 2009 by Mute Records. The album was supported by the 2009–10 Tour of the Universe. Three singles were released from the album: "Wrong", "Peace", and a double A-side of "Fragile Tension" and "Hole to Feed". "Perfect" was also released in the United States as a promotional single.
"Rocket" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp from their fifth studio album, Head First (2010). It was written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, with additional production by Pascal Gabriel. The song was released on 8 March 2010 as the album's lead single. To promote the single, the duo performed the song on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on 26 March 2010. The accompanying music video features Alison driving a truck hauling a rocket with someone entirely wrapped in duct tape who is then taped to the rocket when it is launched at the end.
"Alive" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp from their fifth studio album, Head First (2010). It was written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, with additional production by Richard X. The song was released on 7 June 2010 as the album's second single. The single failed to chart on the UK Singles Chart, while becoming Goldfrapp's fifth single to top the Hot Dance Club Songs chart in the United States.
"Believer" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp from their fifth studio album, Head First (2010). The song was written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, with additional production by Pascal Gabriel. It was released on 6 September 2010 as the album's third and final single.
The Singles is a compilation album by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp, released on 3 February 2012 by Mute Records and Parlophone. The album features singles from the duo's first five studio albums, as well as two previously unreleased tracks, "Yellow Halo" and "Melancholy Sky".
Tales of Us is the sixth studio album by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp, released on 6 September 2013 by Mute Records. In June 2013, the duo embarked on the Tales of Us Tour to promote the album.
Silver Eye is the seventh and final studio album by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp, released on 31 March 2017 by Mute Records. The album's first single, "Anymore", was released to digital music retailers on 23 January 2017 after its premiere on Lauren Laverne's BBC Radio 6 show.
"Anymore" is a song performed by English group Goldfrapp from their seventh studio album Silver Eye (2017). It was released as a CD single and digital download on 23 January 2017 through Mute Records. The song was written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and William Owen Gregory, with additional production coming from The Haxan Cloak and John Congleton. The song incorporates several genres, including dance-pop, electronica and synth-pop, and takes influence from disco and glitch music. Critics noticed similarities between "Anymore" and the music from their 2003 album Black Cherry. Lyrically, Goldfrapp sings in robotic vocals about romance, which one critic felt referenced their 2005 single "Ooh La La".
"Ocean" is a song by English group Goldfrapp from their seventh studio album Silver Eye (2017). It was released as the album's first promotional single on 10 March 2017 through Mute Records. The song was written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and William Owen Gregory, with additional production coming from The Haxan Cloak and John Congleton. An electronic and synth-rock song, "Ocean" marks the return of Goldfrapp's heavy use of synths in their music. Written in couplets, the lyrics were described as dark by several commentators. Critics also drew comparisons between "Ocean" and the works of other musicians and groups, such as Shirley Manson, Nine Inch Nails, and Depeche Mode.
The Love Invention is the debut solo studio album by British singer and musician Alison Goldfrapp. It was released on 12 May 2023 as her first full-length project under her own name, away from her efforts as part of electropop duo Goldfrapp. Singles from the album include "Digging Deeper" featuring Claptone, "Fever" featuring Paul Woolford, and "So Hard So Hot".