Goldfrapp 'Tales of Us' Review, Full Album Stream [LISTEN]: Song-Writing Duo Explores Folk, Orchestration, Soundscapes and Storytelling

Goldfrapp's latest, "Tales of Us," paints a picture of tragedy, despair, nostalgia and enrichment. Vocalist Alison Goldfrapp and musician Will Gregory showcase their respective composition skills with soaring soundscapes, driving synthesizers, and vocals.

Although this band technically falls into the electronic music genre, Goldfrapp refuses to give into a set sound with "Tales of Us." Each release has shown off a new side of this musical duo, but "Tales" is a giant step away from what listeners have gotten used to. Goldfrapp embodies an intense form of pop by incorporating layers of folk, classical and electropop within each track.

Orchestration finds its way into unsuspecting melodies. Progressions build to a resolution that doesn't occur, as if to tease that these "tales" have a happy ending. In some ways they do, but the overall feelings of caution and dissonance exemplify the end of something rough. Something proud, yet so completely gone. All we have left are these songs.

Although the musicianship overflows with emotion, the timbre of Alison Goldfrapp's voice brings "Tales of Us" together. She sounds like a mix between Grace Slick and Bjork. The range of her vocals can bring the listener into a mess of emotions, but offer gentle assistance to make it out unscathed as well.

The songs on "Tales of Us" express sadness and longing but still overflow with an eagerness to accept, embrace and move beyond these emotions. Stand out tracks include "Drew," "Thea," "Stranger" and "Laurel."

Stream Goldfrapp's "Tales of Us" right here: