Goldfrapp

Singer Alison Goldfrapp made her name with an appearance on Tricky’s trip-hop masterpiece Maxinquaye, but she’s more spirited and, well, alive than that might imply. With the group that bears her name, she comes off as a sort of postmodern cabaret singer, courting classical moods while rubbing against decorous electronic textures. Her past couple albums have angled toward electroclash and given drowsy nods to disco and glam, which naturally explains why Goldfrapp’s 2008 Seventh Tree is by and large a strict freak-folk album. After the quick breather that was Seventh Tree, the erstwhile dancing queen once again aims for club floors with the unreservedly '80s synth-pop of this year's Head First. 

Updated 06/14/2010