Gossip's Real Power

There is power in absence, and undeniably the band Gossip was missed. Known for its work that combines the sounds of pop, punk, and disco, Gossip has made its mark as a queer feminist powerhouse since its founding in 1999. The band is currently comprised of vocalist Beth Ditto, guitarist Nathan Howdeshell, and drummer Hannah Blilie.

Following the release of its 2006 album Standing in the Way of Control, Gossip found mainstream success, especially in Europe. Since then, the Portland-based band has made numerous chart appearances, toured internationally, and released additional albums such as 2009's Music for Men. However, the momentum stalled as the group separated to focus on independent projects for a few years. The band's last album was 2012's A Joyful Noise.

After a 12-year hiatus, Gossip has emerged with a new album, Real Power. Unexpected but welcome, Real Power celebrates the return of the trio and its signature sound of Ditto's soulful vocals and dance-friendly beats, produced by the renowned Rick Rubin (who also produced Music for Men).

Kicking off with the high-energy anthem "Act of God," Real Power is a powerful reintroduction to Gossip. Reminiscent of '60s girl group songs, "Act of God" sets the tone with high-octane lyrics. Real Power revels in the beauty of being alive and encourages existing in a time when there is so much opposition from the government and society as a whole. Real Power packs a punch and manages to be more relevant than during the time of its writing.

The next song in the lineup, the title track, is a disco-themed song that was penned in response to the events in 2020. As the majority of the United States was on lockdown due to the COVID pandemic, and protests broke out due to the death of George Floyd, Ditto's lyrics are defiant and signify a desire to go against the system. During its release in 2024, Real Power is a crucial album as protests continue to erupt, and various authorities attempt to strip away the rights of the marginalized, particularly the LGBTQ+ community.

As Real Power moves forward, the songs become more personal. An overarching theme of Real Power is that of strained and broken relationships. As evidenced by the passage of time, the band uses the album to lament a string of losses as well as celebrate love itself. Songs such as the poppy "Don't Be Afraid," "Crazy Again," stand out track "Turn the Card Slowly," "Tell Me Something," and "Peace and Quiet" all point to the impact of love and its human collateral. However, the album provides more nightclub fare such as "Give It Up for Love," which is an ode to love that blooms once again.

Real Power closes with "Peace and Quiet," which contemplates the freedom of being alone but ponders on the struggle that comes with transitioning out of a relationship. The song is a complete foil to the album's opener and leaves the listener contemplative, possibly desiring more.

Overall, Real Power is a solid return for Gossip. An ideal soundtrack for the warmer months, Real Power doesn't stray too far from the band's roots. For seasoned fans, that may be a good thing.

Real Power is now available on all major streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and more.

The record was released on March 22nd and is also now available.