In the relatively progressive year of 2024, Gossip and its incendiary brand frontwoman Beth Ditto have released Standing In The Way, the insatiable and unignorable hit that catapulted the Arkansas trio from cult concern to mainstream infiltration in 2006. The sledgehammer effect caused by “Of Control'' cannot be overstated. Representatives of both queer expression and body positivity, Gossip injected punk dynamite into the world of indie sleaze like Skins (ironically, the song is also the series' soundtrack), and most It cemented the creator as a disruptor of hook-filled, wonderfully fun games. Kind.
Therefore, any gossip reunion will be welcomed with open arms. But there's a sense on Real Power that, 12 years since their last album (2012's A Joyful Noise), the trio has returned with something needed and something new to say. While their breakthrough hits were bubbling with dancefloor-directed defiance and righteous anger, “Real Power” also shows maturity and the realization that sometimes a kiss is more effective than a fist. There is a kindness towards the gathering that accompanies it. Even the title track, which takes full advantage of Ditto's raw, gutsy vocals, is a clear call to collective action that brings hope and positivity to the forefront.
In “Real Power's” more upbeat moments, the gossips tend to veer toward discotheques rather than sweaty party venues. Opener “Act of God” has Motown-style vocals and a 70's bassline splashing around. “Don't Be Afraid'' has a sexy, sultry feel that reflects the lovelorn lyrics, while “Give It Up For Love'' has a funky delivery that suggests it may have been co-written by Nile Rodgers. But in general, “Real Power” is more around mid-tempo, rather than being leather-obsessed like it was when I was younger. But far from sliding into the middle of the road, they're finding new ways to make it interesting. “Edge of the Sun” utilizes breathy backing vocals in a way that feels fresh for the band, and the guitars on “Turn The Card Slowly” hear them cue The XX's atmospheric debut. It seems so.
If Real Power has an inevitable stability and maturity to its sound, it's not because it lacks emotion or innovation. Aging with heart and empathy? That sounds like real power to us.