“Act of God,” the opening track of the Gossip’s first studio album in 12 years, has all the hallmarks of the trio’s music: an upbeat disco groove, gothic post-punk undertones, and, of course, Beth Ditto’s soulful voice. So does the next track. And the next. By the end of Real Power, it’s clear that, for better or worse, the album arrives as more of the same.
The 11 tracks here range from shimmery summer pop anthems to chugging disco songs, each as lively and bubbly as the last. “Turn the Card Slowly” features some novel, Hawaiian-inspired slide guitar (the album was recorded in part in producer Rick Rubin’s studio in Kauai), but it feels clunky and out of place amid what otherwise sounds like a typical Gossip song.
Hannah Blilie’s drumming provides most of the textural variation between Real Power’s tracks. In sparer moments, she provides space for the melodies to take center stage, while at other times her disco beats are relentlessly omnipresent. “Edge of the Sun” bounces back and forth between these modes, with the choruses becoming a respite from the pounding of the verses.
Real Power stands as a testament to the Gossip’s unyielding dedication to their signature style. Admittedly, reminding fans and critics that the band helped pioneer pop-punk disco isn’t an unsmart way to stage a comeback. But for anyone hoping that the Gossip might have evolved in the years since 2012’s A Joyful Noise, Real Power is likely to be a real letdown.
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