As the lead single from a post-breakout album, Goldfrapp's "A & E" is sort of a bewildering choice. Supernature's dance floor conqueror "Ooh La La" recently burrowed its way into the ears of millions of unsuspecting viewers while adding glamour to goofy cable drama promos and sex to a number of consumer goods in its role as a near-ubiquitous soundtrack option. Presumably some of the vast unsuspecting sought the song out, and might now theoretically be pining for the latest from their new favorite diva. Well, with "A & E" they got a nicely nuanced, obviously pretty, and ultimately sleepy synth ballad that reminds me of something Madonna might have buried on side two of Ray of Light. It's nice enough, but it doesn't nearly scratch that get down itch.

Enter Andrew Butler, a.k.a. DFA signed artist Hercules and Love Affair. Sensing the severe lack of dynamic energy, Herc starts his revamp with a steady club beat and what sounds like a soccer stadium's worth of piped in carnival chants. Alison's sensitive vocals are hacked and looped, providing counterbalance to the rhythm while abandoning her lyrics' nostalgic narrative. The electronic textures are odd and varied, a chiming doorbell loop eventually answered by smoother sustained notes. But for all of the nudges towards motion, for all the attempts to rough up the sentimentality with harsher tones, it never quite clears the ass-shaking bar. The source material is too downbeat for a party hat to disguise.