Album: La Roux - 'La Roux'

Natalie Woodcock

02/07/09

Who's up for a bit of 80s electro-epic-synth-pop?

La Roux are proving they are the hot tip everyone claimed them to be, and with their current number one Bulletproof and hit In For The Kill have shown that practically the whole country has fallen for their tinny 80s sound.

La Roux's self titled debut is a difficult album to listen to all in one sitting - you are pretty much bombarded with in-your-face pop songs all on the trot. So if you aren't a fan of Elly Jackson's shrill vocals and other half of La Roux Ben Langmaid's Human League inspired epic production, then give it a wide berth.

The ups and downs of an on-off relationship Jackson has been in for the last five years has provided the inspiration for the album. This gives a bittersweet edge to the lyrics, which works well and is perhaps the basis for the mass appeal of the band - that and the reassuringly familiar 80s synths.

Aside from the music, Jackson's image and personality have also provided a lot of interest. In an interview with the Quietus she showed she could do with an education in the basics of feminism, saying:

"There's far more ways to be sexy than to dress in a miniskirt and a tank top… I think you attract a certain kind of man by dressing like that. Women wonder why they get beaten up, or have relationships with arsehole men. Because you attracted one, you twat."

Absolutely charming! Perhaps her comments are a backlash to all the interest there has been over her boyish looks and carrot top crop. Either way, this is a review of her music and not her looks or personal politics.

There is definitely more to La Roux than the two hit singles - take for example Cover My Eyes, which somehow manages to make the backing vocals of London Community Gospel Choir and synths work. Tigerlily seems mildly stalkerish and Quicksand uses a simple metaphor about 'getting in too deep' .

Jackson's voice sounds quite childish at times and the whole feel of the album is a bit try-hard. One thing that is clear is that synth pop is fashionable at the moment and La Roux are doing it with more conviction than Lady Gaga and Girls Aloud. They are clearly a hit but is there much of a future in this retrospective style? I for one haven't been fully drawn into La Roux's 80s world and I am not that keen on her outdated opinions either.