Goldfrapp: 'A&E'

As musical volte-faces go, this one seems contrary and ballsy in equal measures. After inventing a particularly pervy brand of electro-glam for 2003's Black Cherry, perfecting it on 2005's Supernature, Goldfrapp have got "in touch with nature" for Seventh Three, their fourth album. 'A&E', its lead single, is lush, folky and as organic as Jamie Oliver's vegetable patch.

As its melody wends gently like a Shropshire stream, Alison Goldfrapp unveils a tender, purring vocal, full of longing and slow-burning sexuality. Against the odds, her transformation from ice-cold dominatrix to wide-eyed country maiden seems to work, giving the group a quality they've never had before: warmth. Convincing? Put it this way - these days, we'd even believe she uses that riding crop for its original purpose.


> Click here to watch the 'A&E' video