It’s been nearly three years since we’ve heard new music from Gossip. In the time since their Rick Rubin-produced 2009 major-label debut, Music for Men, Beth Ditto’s continued her ascent from underground sensation to mainstream celebrity, modeling for Jean Paul Gaultier and releasing a self-titled solo EP last spring. But now, the boundary-pushing band is back with “Perfect World,” the debut single off a forthcoming album of the same name, which is slated for May release.
So, what does the new song tell us about the record? Although it’s got a catchy, dance floor-ready beat, Ditto’s generally electrifying voice seems disappointingly tame and edge-less — Gossip have always been good for contagious pop hooks, but they used to back them up with punk and gospel flourishes that set their sound apart. In collaborating with British bubblegum producers Xenomania, have they lost what once made them so exciting? Listen to “Perefct World” after the jump and let us know what you think.
[via Guardian]