{{About|the album by Gossip|the power in a sinusoidal steady-state|AC power}} {{Use American English|date=November 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Infobox album | name = Real Power | type = studio | artist = Gossip | cover = Gossip - Real Power.png | alt = The three members of Gossip in front of a blue background; Beth Ditto stands wearing a shirt that says "Real Power", while Nathan Howdeshell and Hannah Billie are seated | released = {{start date|2024|3|22}} | recorded = 2019–2023 | studio = | genre = | length = 39:58 | label = Columbia | producer = Rick Rubin | prev_title = A Joyful Noise | prev_year = 2012 | next_title = | next_year = | misc = {{Singles | name = Real Power | type = studio | single1 = Crazy Again | single1date = November 17, 2023 | single2 = Real Power | single2date = January 19, 2024<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/gossip-share-black-lives-matter-influenced-new-single-real-power-3573663|title=Gossip share Black Lives Matter-influenced new single 'Real Power' |website=NME|date=January 19, 2024|access-date=January 22, 2024}}</ref> }} }}
'''''Real Power''''' is the sixth studio album by American indie rock band Gossip. It was released on March 22, 2024, through Columbia Records. The album marks their first studio release in twelve years, following ''A Joyful Noise'' (2012), marking the longest gap between studio album releases in their career.
==Background== The album was produced by Rick Rubin, who previously worked with the band for their 2009 album ''Music for Men''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/gossip-announce-first-album-in-11-years-share-video-for-new-song-crazy-again-watch/|title=Gossip Announce First Album in 11 Years, Share Video for New Song "Crazy Again": Watch|last=Minsker|first=Evan|website=Pitchfork|date=November 17, 2023|access-date=November 18, 2023}}</ref> Recording began in 2019 at Rubin's home studio in Kauai, Hawaii, following a brief tour reunion for the 10-year anniversary of ''Music For Men''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2023/11/gossip-real-power-crazy-again-stream/|title=Gossip Announce Comeback Album ''Real Power'', Share "Crazy Again": Stream|last=Jones|first=Abby|website=Consequence|date=November 17, 2023|access-date=November 18, 2023}}</ref> Recording came to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed when restrictions were lifted.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.classicpopmag.com/2023/11/gossip-announce-new-album-real-power/|title=Gossip announce new album ''Real Power''|website=Classic Pop|date=November 17, 2023|access-date=November 18, 2023}}</ref> Ditto explained that ''Real Power'' was originally intended as a follow-up to her debut solo album, ''Fake Sugar'', but that, when she invited Gossip member Nathan Howdeshell to participate in writing some songs for the project, the duo realised that it actually needed to be a Gossip album rather than a Beth Ditto album.
Gossip described working with Rubin as "a true gift", saying that they felt "genuinely cared about and supported" as he "creates calm, positive, open spaces". About 30–40 songs came about from the sessions with Rubin, after having thrown "everything against the wall" and having the "best time".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/gossip-beth-ditto-reunite-single-crazy-again-album-real-power-3541541|title=Gossip tell us about their Rick Rubin-assisted return and comeback single "Crazy Again"|last=Trendell|first=Andrew|website=NME|date=November 17, 2023|access-date=November 18, 2023}}</ref> ''Real Power'' is a "celebration of creative expression" and the power that came out of choosing family in the aftermath of "collective and personal trauma", according to a press release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/gossip-reunite-after-over-a-decade-and-announce-new-album-real-power|title=Gossip reunite after over a decade and announce new album, ''Real Power''|last=Kelly|first=Tyler Damara|website=Line of Best Fit|date=November 17, 2023|access-date=November 18, 2023}}</ref>
==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Phares |first=Heather |title=Real Power - Gossip {{!}} Album |website=AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/real-power-mw0004159960 |access-date=2024-03-22 |language=en}}</ref> | rev2 = ''DIY'' | rev2score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Lisa |date=2024-03-20 |title=Gossip - Real Power |url=https://diymag.com/review/album/gossip-real-power |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=DIY |language=en}}</ref> | rev3 = ''The Guardian'' | rev3score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Empire |first=Kitty |author-link=Kitty Empire |date=2024-03-23 |title=Gossip: Real Power review – a welcome return that could be braver and weirder |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/mar/23/gossip-real-power-review-a-welcome-return-that-could-be-braver-and-weirder-beth-ditto |access-date=2024-03-24 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> | rev4 = ''The Independent'' | rev4score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nugent |first=Annabel |date=2024-03-21 |title=Gossip are back with a bang, but time has blunted the edges – review |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/gossip-beth-ditto-real-power-b2516400.html |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref> | rev5 = ''MusicOMH'' | rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=John |date=2024-03-20 |title=Gossip - Real Power {{!}} Album Reviews |url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/gossip-real-power |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=musicOMH |language=en-GB}}</ref> | rev6 = ''NME'' | rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Tom |date=2024-03-20 |title=Gossip – 'Real Power' review: a mature, soulful return |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/gossip-real-power-review-beth-ditto-3604119 |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> | rev7 = ''Pitchfork'' | rev7score = 7.1/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corcoran |first=Nina |date=March 26, 2024 |title=Gossip: Real Power |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/gossip-real-power/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref> | rev8 = ''The Skinny'' | rev8score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chung |first=Rho |date=March 20, 2024 |title=Gossip - Real Power album review |url=https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/reviews/albums/gossip-real-power |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=The Skinny |language=en}}</ref> | rev9 = ''Slant Magazine'' | rev9score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Poland |first=Dana |date=2024-03-18 |title=Gossip 'Real Power' Review: A Real Letdown |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/gossip-real-power-album-review/ |access-date=2024-03-22 |website=Slant Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> | rev10 = ''The Telegraph'' | rev10score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{Cite news |last1=McCormick |first1=Neil |last2=Platt |first2=Poppie |date=2024-03-22 |title=Gossip are superb, Waxahatchee processes the scourge of addiction – the week's best albums |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/best-albums-of-the-week-gossip-waxahatchee/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-03-22 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> | MC = 75/100<ref name="MC">{{Cite web |title=Real Power by Gossip |date=n.d. |website=Metacritic |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/real-power/gossip |access-date=2024-03-22 |publisher=Fandom, Inc. |language=en}}</ref> }}
''Real Power'' was met with "generally favorable" reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, this release received an average score of 75, based on 13 reviews.<ref name="MC"/>
==Track listing== {{Track listing | headline = ''Real Power'' track listing | all_writing = Beth Ditto and Brace Paine. Additional writing on "Tell Me Something" by Jason Lader | title1 = Act of God | length1 = 3:21 | title2 = Real Power | length2 = 4:15 | title3 = Don't Be Afraid | length3 = 3:34 | title4 = Crazy Again | length4 = 3:17 | title5 = Edge of the Sun | length5 = 3:48 | title6 = Give It Up for Love | length6 = 2:54 | title7 = Turn the Card Slowly | length7 = 4:27 | title8 = Tell Me Something | length8 = 4:09 | title9 = Light It Up | length9 = 3:06 | title10 = Tough | length10 = 3:38 | title11 = Peace and Quiet | length11 = 3:29 | total_length = 39:58 }}
==Personnel== '''Gossip''' * Beth Ditto – vocals * Nathan Howdeshell – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, synthesizer, bass, electronic drums * Hannah Billie – drums, percussion
'''Technical''' * Rick Rubin – production * Heba Kadry – mastering * Jason Lader – mixing, engineering * Dylan Neustadter – engineering
'''Visuals''' * Cody Critcheloe – cover art, photography * Bráulio Amado – design
==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Chart performance for ''Real Power'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2024) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- {{album chart|Austria|16|artist=Gossip|album=Real Power|rowheader=true|access-date=April 3, 2024}} |- {{album chart|Flanders|88|artist=Gossip|album=Real Power|rowheader=true|access-date=March 31, 2024}} |- {{album chart|Wallonia|47|artist=Gossip|album=Real Power|rowheader=true|access-date=March 31, 2024}} |- {{album chart|Germany|8|id=528316|artist=Gossip|album=Real Power|rowheader=true|access-date=March 28, 2024}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|13|date=20240329|rowheader=true|access-date=March 30, 2024}} |- {{album chart|Switzerland|11|artist=Gossip|album=Real Power|rowheader=true|access-date=March 31, 2024}} |- {{album chart|UK2|68|date=20240329|rowheader=true|access-date=March 29, 2024}} |}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Gossip (band)}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2024 albums Category:Columbia Records albums Category:Gossip (band) albums Category:Albums produced by Rick Rubin Category:Albums recorded at Shangri-La (recording studio)