Lead by singer/songwriter Elly Jackson and keyboardist/producer Ben Langmaid, La Roux (named for her vivid red-hot locks), have been causing a buzz in the UK music scene since they released “Quicksand” in late 2008.
Their first official single “In for the Kill”, soaking in an 80’s new wave, catapulted to number 2 on the UK charts it’s second week of release. The band landed their first number with “Bulletproof” a few weeks later (beating out strong competition from heavy Michael Jackson downloads the week following his death).
With three smash singles shooting them into the spotlight, and the BBC calling them the sound of 2009, it was with great anticipation that the band release their debut full length player, La Roux.
The New Wave of La Roux
New Wave emerged in the early 80’s with the invention of the synthesizer. Rough and often unrefined with technology that had yet to prove itself, electronic music eventually became more heavily produced and polished – but nobody told that to La Roux.
On their debut, La Roux, Ben and Elly don’t merely hint at their 80’s New Wave / synthpop influences, they proudly pay homage to the decade, and wear its music on their sleeves. In doing so, La Roux have created a debut album to get excited about.
As If By Magic
Listening to La Roux, it’s easy to forget this is a debut album. Their solid songs build around engaging melodies coupled with straightforward and hook-laden lyrics that go deeper and broader than tales from the bedroom or the disco back room.
La Roux’s music deals with failed relationships (As If By Magic), letting go of pain (Colourless Colour), and standing ground (I’m Not Your Toy) in a refreshing, sometimes naive electropop manner.
The 11 tracks on La Roux gleam in a wash of electronics that, while dance-floor ready, carry an unpolished quality that, along with Elly’s ear spiting shrill, give the record its charm.
Bulletproof
On the cusp of dominating not only the dancefloors but the charts and possibly a hair product ad to boot, the world’s about to hear a lot more from La Roux .
Barely into their career, La Roux have already made a solid album where every track sounds like a single, a number one UK hit under their belts, and are nominated for the coveted Mercury Prize.
La Roux may be criticized for recycling a twenty-year old genre, but faithful to their influences, they’ve made not only a lightening strike of a record, but sound like they’re having a lot of fun doing it.
 |
