UK import La Roux (vocalist Eleanor Jackson and producer/keyboardist Ben Langmaid) is generating monumental buzz across the globe with their new self-entitled album, which is a beautiful concoction of killer hooks, New Wave-inspired synthesizers and Erasure-like drum loops. This new Electro-pop band is very much a duo as both Jackson and Langmaid channeled their talents to create a winning formula of electronic wizardry and love-themed ballads.During In For The Kill, the group raises the question of whether relationships are built on love or lust. Jackson’s spectacular falsettos take center stage during the intro portion of the song, “We can fight our desires, but when we start making fires…” The production on this track is highly reminiscent of songs from retro-Manchester bands like New Order and Electronic.
The band’s second single, Bullet Proof, could be deemed a modern mash-up of Blondie meets The Pet Shop Boys. The keyboard electronic, blip drum machines and vocorder effects provide an inner sanctum opportunity to travel back to the 90s British pop scene.
I’m Not Your Toy is arguably the band’s most riveting track on the album. While the song’s production mix could be considered too dated for modern dance aficionados, Jackson’s vocal provides a spellbinding moment during her emotive chorus. This could become a deejay’s “field of dreams” as there are ample opportunities to remix this track into an electronic paradise. Check out Jack Beat’s vivacious dubstep version tune, which features massive wobbly baselines.
LaRoux should garner more publicity abroad when their album gets a U.S. release in the fall. This new album should leave fans clamoring for concert dates with Eleanor Jackson’s voice becoming a pseudo gateway into a date for seduction.
Grade: A-
Download Right Now: I'm Not Your Toy
