La Roux; La Roux

During the last few years  a number of British artist have crossed over into the American Market and have achieved reasonable success. One of the acts that made it there and now has spread over to other parts of the world is the English electropop duo La Roux. Having fashioned themselves behind the shock of red hair the lead singer possesses, it is a very interesting musical act no doubt. Previously having little to no exposure, the duo burst into the scene over the summer and proceeded to quickly climbed the chart, giving Little Boots some serious competition.

La Roux released their debut album also titled, La Roux on June 29th. The lead singer, Eleanor Jackson, has done a crazy awesome job over the record. Her input can be noted clearly all over the place from song-writing to music production to video direction. It's just not how she sings, but also in how she looks, that makes her destined for greatness.

In the third wave of British Invasion compromising largely of female musicians, it is easy to get lost in the sea of colour, glitter and curves. But not in the case of La Roux, everything about her screams original.

The album has in total of twelve tracks as follows;

1. In For The Kill
2. Tigerlily
3. Quicksand
4. Bulletproof
5. Colourless Colour
6. I'm Not Your Toy
7. Cover My Eyes
8. As If By Magic
9. Fascination
10. Reflections Are Protection
11. Armour Love
12. Growing Pains

The album has taken all the great things from the echo genre and thrown it in with a modern twist. The song-writing has devilish tint to it, with majority of them written by La Roux themselves. The slight naughtiness along with wit full flirt is a sure-fire way to a fun record. Ben Langmaid who creates the invisble half of the duo is a genius at music production. The beats are super-catchy.

The opening track 'In For The Kill' indeed tells us what La Roux is up to. It's an excellent starting track and totally sets the listener into the mood for the album. Elly aka Eleanor sings effortlessly in falsetto through out the song. The five tracks to follow 'In For The Kill', follow it along the lines of creativity.

Up tempo, strong beats, cheek-in-tongue lyrics and killer tunes!

'Bulletproof', 'Tigerlily' and 'I'm Not Your Toy' are particular stand outs. 'Quicksand' and 'Colourless Color' are also good tracks, but the former are simply amazing. 'Bulletproof' is an instant stand-out. Ben Langmaid has done an awesome task at creating a catchy stream that Elly has wrapped beautifully with words. This album definitely has alot of thought involved, all of which resulted in an overall A+ record.

Another really interesting aspect of the duo is the awesome music videos. 'Bulletproof' and 'I'm Not Your Toy' have really cool video. Do check them out!

Half way through the album and all you'll be listening to are dance anthems. So when the seventh track 'Cover My Eyes' turns out to be a ballad, one would be pretty amazed. I didn't have much expectations at this point, I had cast her into the category of dance artists. But after this little number, I had to change my mind. It's absolutely amazing!

Elly's vocals are probably the most important factor as to why this track shines so much. They are completely heartfelt and thoroughly genuine. One of the reason La Roux straight away struck me as different from alot of the other acts out there right now was the lack of the presence of background vocalists. This track however is an exception to that trend and we do find background vocalist crooning. A very focal point for a good ballad, this is definitely one of the best songs of the record. A treat to listen, no doubt!

Though there have been no reports of further singles being released, but if there has to be a fifth single I'm hoping it is 'Cover My Eyes'.

Unfortunately the album takes a tumble downwards from here. While 'As If By Magic' though still retains some of the magic noticed in the first six tracks of the record, 'Fascination' and 'Reflections Are Protection' completely disappoint me. The song are good no doubt, but they seem abit too amateur for Elly. It seems as if she unintentionally crossed over to a dancey pop genre, it doesn't suit her well.

'Armour Love' which is the eleventh track off the record and the second ballad also fails to impress me. It is somewhat better than the two tracks previous to it, but it lacks the depth 'Cover My Eyes' had. It didn't grow on me at all and really didn't stay in my library for long.

Fortunately the album closes on a much better note with the song 'Growing Pain'. La Roux embrace their earlier sound and give some of the much needed goodness that was needed. It's really sad to see a well planned and brilliantly produced album end on a bad spot. La Roux has sealed the deal with a solid record with seven awesome tracks. A very good dance album no doubt!

While the US of A may have the very awesome Lady GaGa, UK has La Roux. A stand-out recording artist! The only possible artists I can think who can match the potential of La Roux are Little Boots and Pixie Lott.

Currently they have started writing material for the second album but no date has been announced for it's release. They are trying for a different sound this time round, I'll be looking forward to what they produce but I'm hoping they do not fall into the cliche of a pop duo.

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)