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REAL POWER
Gossip
Written by Olivia J. Bennett
Edited by Isabella Trimboli
Published in print by The Big Issue AU
Issue #710 | 26 April 2024
Gossip's new record Real Power carries a title suggesting potency, but it veers from the thunderous impact of their seminal 2009 hit ‘Heavy Cross.’ Helmed by the industry patriarch Rick Rubin, the album retains the group’s signature blend of funky punk revival and Beth Ditto's soulful vocals, albeit in a more subdued manner. Real Power cruises through clean lyricism, showcasing a variety of influences spanning punk, pop, funk, disco, and R&B. The resulting sound is an amalgamation that stupefies more than it mesmerises. While Real Power lacks the energetic fervour synonymous with Gossip's past work, it appears intentional, suggesting a shift towards more introspective songwriting. In ‘Turn The Card Slowly’, alongside reverberating guitar and minimalist base, Beth Ditto croons, "We had a plan, we said we’d settle down / Baby, that was then, and this is now." As the album progresses, Ditto’s vocals accumulate weight, imparting wisdom on lost connections and faltered opportunities. The message? Real power transcends force, finding its essence in tranquillity.