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Gossip: Real Power review – a welcome return that could be braver and weirder


Beth Ditto-fronted US indie trio Gossip’s first album in 12 years feels strongly personal and political. Musically, though, it pulls its punches

Originally released in 2006, Standing in the Way of Control, the US band’s breakout hit, always had plenty of good company: workouts honed to maximum bounce throughout Gossip’s years playing in queer punk circles. Where SITWOC was written in response to proposed US federal legislation limiting same-sex marriage rights (which did not pass), Real Power came about in the wake of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations in Ditto’s adopted home of Portland, Oregon. The solidarity of people risking their health (it was 2020) to protest against police racism elides, in Ditto’s lyrics, with the crush and liberation of the dancefloor, with love that has its eyes wide open; with personal agency.

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Real Power