{"title":"The Ballet","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"matchy-matchy","title":"Matchy Matchy","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Ballet’s new album, \u003ci\u003eMatchy Matchy\u003c\/i\u003e, is a return to the upbeat tenor of the band’s first two albums. While inspired by Goldberg’s experience navigating an open relationship with his boyfriend of 14 years, \u003ci\u003eMatchy Matchy\u003c\/i\u003e is not straight forwardly autobiographical; Goldberg writes from his experience, while also fantasizing about the perspective of his objects of desire, leaving ambiguous which is which. He is generally less melancholic than on\u003ci\u003e I Blame Society,\u003c\/i\u003e and fans will notice a return to earlier themes (\u003ci\u003eLooking\u003c\/i\u003e tackles Grindr, as \u003ci\u003ePersonal\u003c\/i\u003e did Gaydar in 2006). Goldberg is not shy to write songs with explicitly queer subjects (\u003ci\u003eBut I’m a Top, Messing Around, First Time in a Gay Bar\u003c\/i\u003e), while also taking on more universal longings, pleasures, and frustrations (\u003ci\u003eJersey, Love Letter, Cry Baby\u003c\/i\u003e). As the album’s title suggests, Matchy Matchy is also a meditation on sameness, both in its musical material (think limited chords in major keys, repeated phrases and constructions, and citations of Goldberg’s influences) and in its lyrical exploration of queer relationships and encounters. The album reclaims the insult of “matchy matchy,” finding value in repetition and doubling, both within the album and across the Ballet’s discography. For fans of the Magnetic Fields, 60’s bubblegum, 80’s synthpop and 90’s indiepop.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fika Recordings","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50498252570955,"sku":"1061958","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/f1ca3512-e3d8-406c-9295-9cefe7e1edd8_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727742763"},{"product_id":"daddy-issues","title":"Daddy Issues","description":"\u003cp\u003eFormed in 2005 by Greg Goldberg and Craig Willse, The Ballet marry wry poeticism with pop romanticism and a queer DIY ethos to create literate, infectious pop gems. The band self-released their first two albums: \u003ci\u003eMattachine! \u003c\/i\u003e(2006) and Bear Life (2009). These records caught the attention of indie-label-legends Fortuna Pop, who released their third album, \u003ci\u003eI Blame Society\u003c\/i\u003e, in 2013. After Fortuna Pop closed shop, The Ballet partnered with Fika Recordings, who released their 4th album, the critically acclaimed\u003ci\u003e Matchy Matchy\u003c\/i\u003e, in 2019. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Ballet have been joined by a few other musicians over the years including Ginger Brooks Takahashi and Michael O'Neill, who left in 2007 to join JD Sampson in MEN, as well as guest appearances on previous albums from Linton of The Aislers Set, Ramesh from Voxtrot, Scott Matthew, and Kaki King. In addition to citing Stephin Merritt as a formative influence, Goldberg—who writes and home-records all of the band’s songs—draws from an array of pop artists and periods; from 60’s bubblegum to 80’s synthpop and 90’s indie pop, fusing these genres in sophisticated and novel ways.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fika Recordings","offers":[{"title":"Clear LP","offer_id":50506540712267,"sku":"2022143","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Ballet_-_Daddy_Issues_d3de2a6c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727824828"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/fr\/collections\/the-ballet.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}