Portland-Based Electrorockers Gossip Drop New Single, Album out May 22nd

31 year old Beth Ditto of the American indie rock outfit Gossip probably has one of the most iconic pop voices of all time, which makes it all the more unfortunate the band is one of the most underrated & under-appreciated in the States right now. Released March 13th on iTunes, “Perfect World,” the trio’s latest single, showcases Ditto’s range and talent perfectly – restrained and subtle in the verses and big and belty in the choruses. Ditto’s voice is MASSIVE so showing this kind of restraint in a song is truly a beautiful thing to behold. “Perfect World” serves as the lead single off the band’s fifth studio album, A Joyful Noise, due out May 22nd on Columbia Records and produced entirely by Xenomania founder and mega pop hitmaker Brian Higgins (Pet Shop Boys, Sugababes, Rachel Stevens, Girls Aloud, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Kylie Minogue).

The Portland, Oregon-based Gossip consists of singer Beth Ditto, guitarist Brace Paine and drummer Hannah Blilie. While they had released two albums prior, it wasn’t until their third album Standing In The Way of Control that they kind of hit the big time (at least in the UK). The album’s title track was used as the theme song to popular British teen drama Skins, which likely helped the album reach Gold status in the UK. The album also featured two other fantastic singles worth listening to – “Jealous Girls” and “Listen Up!“‘

The band released their fourth album, Music for Men, in 2009, marking the band’s first major label foray, having released their first three albums through indie label Kill Rock Stars. Produced by Rick Rubin (Adele, Dixie Chicks, Metallica, Mick Jagger), Music for Men was understandably more rock, given Rubin’s work with iconic rock stars like Tom Petty, Black Sabbath, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The album was universally their most successful album, thanks largely to being signed to and promoted by a major label. The album was a top five hit in France and peaked at #10 in Germany. Elsewhere the album also saw a moderate amount of success, peaking at #13 in Australia and #18 in the UK. In America Music For Men peaked at #164, which while not impressive at first glance, is quite remarkable considering it’s the band’s first Billboard 200-charting album.

Following the release of Music For Men, Ditto released her self-titled debut solo EP on Sony Music, featuring the hot James Ford/Jas Shaw (Simian Mobile Disco)-produced “I Wrote The Book,” which managed to peak at #19 on Billboard‘s Hot Dance Club Songs chart with remixes by DJ Strobe and Mark Picchiotti. While I do love Beth Ditto on her own, I’m beyond excited about new Gossip tunes.

Download “Perfect World” on U.S. iTunes HERE. While not released in the UK until May 7th, you can pre-order it on UK iTunes HERE. A Joyful Noise is out everywhere May 22nd. Check out the dark, yet beautiful Price James-directed video for “Perfect World” below and fall in love with this criminally underrated band. PLEASE.

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