Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory ditch the disco-diva act and show their earthy side

This article is from the March issue of Radar Magazine. For a risk-free issue, click here

In recent years, British electronica duo Goldfrapp's sexed-up sound has been inescapable. The band's last two albums, 2003's Black Cherry and 2005's Supernature, were licensed to the absolute nubbin, popping up in ads for Diet Coke, Armani, Verizon, and Target, and soundtracks for shows like Grey's Anatomy, Nip/Tuck, Miami Vice, and The L Word. Trust us—you've heard them whether you like it or not.

Partners Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory's glamorous grooves simply clobbered competition like Björk, Massive Attack, and Madonna—whom the Brit press refer to as "Oldfrapp" (Madge even asked the Frapps to do her last record). But rather than try to top their own beats, Goldfrapp have scrapped their deca-dance music altogether for a Summer of Love vibe on their fourth album, Seventh Tree. This veddy British batch of flower-power ballads is all sweet Beatles melodies, Syd Barrett's Pink Floyd, and Hounds of Love–era Kate Bush, with Alison's best-ever singing. Of course, Seventh Tree will surely piss off hard-core disco dollies, but think of it as the chilled-out mellow pothead to Supernature's all-night coke whore. (Warning: It could make you want to take up macramé and join the Renaissance Faire.)

The group, featured in this month's print magazine, recently sat down with Radar to chat about musical piracy, fashion faux pas, and exactly how old they are.

The new album, Seventh Tree, is gorgeous. It's very romantic, warm, and a word I usually hate—organic. It's your White Album! Lots of instruments never heard on a Goldfrapp album: harps, acoustic piano, and guitar. Have you gone all hippie?
Alison: Yes!
Will: After coming off the Supernature world tour, our ears were ringing with all the big beats and synths. We wanted to do this as an antidote to that huge sound. So we stripped it down naked.

Last year, you were Grammy nominated for best dance album and dance track. But this album was a departure. You went as far as posting a warning on your MySpace page: "It's very different to [2005's] Supernature, so it might come as a bit of a shock to some of you." Are you afraid of alienating your fan base?
Will: From our first album, Felt Mountain, to Black Cherry, there was a real about-face as well. I think our fans expect that from us now. And always expect the unexpected.
Alison: You are going to alienate someone no matter what you do. If we did do Supernature Part 2, we would lose fans, and the fact that we didn't do that will scare some off as well. You can't win.

You recorded in the countryside, and on the new album there are a few digs at Los Angeles. Do you dislike city living?
Alison: No, we both live in London; we love it. But it's always nice to work out in the countryside where there's peace and quiet and we can focus. I think as humans we need those extremes. It's healthy.

You said that Seventh Tree is influenced by psychedelia, early Pink Floyd, '70s California, and The Wicker Man. Did you see the shitty remake with Nicolas Cage?
Alison: Yes, we prefer the original, thank you. We were asked to do some work on the soundtrack, which luckily we were too busy to do.