release date: Jun. 29, 2009
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,92]
producer: Elly Jackson, Ben Langmaid
label: Polydor - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "In for the Kill" (4 / 5) - 3. "Quicksand" (5 / 5) - 4. "Bulletproof" (5 / 5) (Abbey Road Sessions) - 5. "Colourless Colour" - 6. "I'm Not Your Toy" - 9. "Fascination" - 11. "Armour Love" - *14. "In for the Kill (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix)"
*Bonus track on enhanced Japanese issue
Studio album debut by La Roux consisting of vocalist and keyboardist Elly Jackson and producer Ben Langmaid. Most songs on the album are written by both Jackson and Langmaid.
Stylistically, it's synthpop and electropop with bold dance appeal.
The album spawned positive reviews and four singles were selected for individual releases. The first single from the album "Quicksand" was already issued Nov. 2008 as a rather unnoticed release peaking as number #129 on the national singles chart list. "In for the Kill" followed in early Mar. 2009 to a surprising success as it reached number #2 on the same list and it was awarded the prize 'Single of the Year' at iTunes 2009 UK Music Awards and as 'Best Dancefloor Filler' at NME Awards (Skream Remix version).
Just prior to the album release in early June, "Bulletproof" was issued and it became the biggest hit from the album, entering the singles chart list as number #1 in the UK. The last single release was "I'm Not Your Toy" reaching number #27. The album also fared very well and peaked as number #2 on the albums chart list in the UK, and it was also nominated Best Album at the Virgin Media Music Awards as well as the Mercury Prize Award (won by "Speech Therapy" by Speech Debelle). Likewise, La Roux was nominated an awarded a number of prizes.
The music may not be the most original lands very securely in the midst of electropop, but with fine hooks and Elly Jacksoon's fine vocals, La Roux is a welcome blow of fresh air. You may argue that the album is so front-loaded that you forget it's entire album as three songs are truly some of the finest electropop you'll ever find. Unfortunately, not all songs reach the same high level, although, that also seems very unlikely. The duo hasn't been very productive in the aftermath of the album - perhaps the success was too overwhelming? Jackson has featured on several other artists' songs, and she has a delightfully original and highly characteristic singing voice.
Highly recommended.
[ allmusic.com, Q Magazine, Rolling Stone 4 / 5, NME 4,5 / 5, The Guardian, Slant 3 / 5 stars ]
