British duo Goldfrapp’s new album, “Seventh Tree,” is a clear departure from their previous three albums. Although the sound moves away from the lush cinematic soundscapes of “Felt Mountain” and the electronic disco-glam of “Supernature,” this work is undeniably Goldfrapp. The new production contains 10 new tracks, all written and composed by Will Gregory and Alison Goldfrapp.

“Seventh Tree” is distinctive both for what it is and what it isn’t. It definitely isn’t anything we’ve seen before. Conversely, this album brings a whole new sound out of the band, one much more intimate than what it has achieved before. Think acoustic, unplugged, synthesizers and an acid trip for good measure.

No Goldfrapp album is complete without seemingly off-the-wall lyrics. If listened to only once, the CD may sound like a concoction of pretty arrangements with the occasional coo from Alison, the band’s blonde wonder vocalist. Despite this, the lyrics are half of the fun. “A&E,” the lead single, talks about bright Saturdays, backless gowns and pills — in other words, a visit to the ER for drug overdose.

References in this album seem less gratuitous and obscure. For example, “A&E” refers to a European version of the ER, “accident and emergency,” a reference which will undoubtedly baffle audiences worldwide. Drugs, which are present in all of Goldfrapp’s works, here form part of a story line. “Ride on a White Horse” (on “Supernatural”), allegedly about cocaine, speaks more about being badass than anything really substantial. In this respect, they’ve come a long way.

The sounds and the words are almost direct opposites of one another. Where the music is upbeat and rosy — like a blissful, drug-induced high — the lyrics reveal longing and self-destruction. It’s this toying around with dark and light that permeates the album (not in an Evanescence-y way). Interestingly enough, it actually works without sounding merely like a high with lyrics from an angsty teen. The end result is ethereal, earthy and desirable.

There’s something to be said about the duo itself. If we take Alison and Will, for example, we see a different sort of billing from other musical acts. Take The White Stripes. I’m no expert on the brother-sister act, but the media only ever talks about Jack White. Alison fronts Goldfrapp, physically and brand-wise. She’s not only the voice, but also the image and the person with whom everyone associates the band. Gregory is an integral part of the duo, yet he has a more behind-the-scenes kind of presence. Alison represents this new kind of woman who can be easy on the eye — or gorgeous, I dare say — whilst producing quality breakthrough work that defies the stereotypes of women in entertainment. Think of her as the Tina Fey of music groups.

All in all, “Seventh Tree” is an album that deserves a listen. It’s not what Goldfrapp’s fanbase is used to. Target might not pick up the tunes from this CD to animate their adverts, but it’s definitely a superb production that might even win Goldfrapp a brand new legion of fans.