La Roux (french for “the red-haired one”) are a Scottish electro-pop duo made up of Elly Jackson (vocals, synth) and Ben Langmaid (co-songwriter, co-producer). Their debut LP was preceded by much music media fervor, with La Roux being featured in The Guardian’s ‘Best New Acts of 2009’ and with “In For the Kill” hitting #2 on the UK singles charts in March, and new single “Bulletproof” debuting at #1 on 6/28. While some may take their sound as a homage to 80s synth-pop and new wave, and though “the Human League, Heaven 17, Blancmange, and Simple Minds” are acknowledged as influences, Elly Jackson said to the Quietus that “It’s just pop music! Eurythmics were never seen as electropop, it was just pop music. Neither were Depeche Mode, it’s just pop music.”

My introduction to La Roux was hearing Rachel Furner’s beautiful cover of “In For the Kill”, which brings in soft sentimentality in a degree not heard in the original, which is spirited and often rough-edged, like much of La Roux, which this song opens and typifies well. Up next is “Tigerlily”, a fierce tune with a haunting spoken word piece from Jackson’s father, a highlight and my top pick from the album. “Quicksand”, La Roux’s first single release in 2008 on Kitsuné Music, is as catchy as it is biting, and a sharp indicator that “the record is based around a rocky love affair”.

“Bulletproof” (see video below) has a peppier, rounded feel in the music, but the sting remains in Jackson’s vocals. “Colourless Colour” is softer still, leading into “I’m Not Your Toy”, with video-gamey synths (appearing again on “If Not By Magic”) and the chorus: “It’s all false love and affection / You don’t want me, you just like the attention”. “Cover My Eyes” (featuring the London Community Gospel Choir) provides the most touching moment on the album.

“Fascination” and “Reflections Are Protection” pump up the tempo again, with “Armour Love” leading the album to a light close and bonus track “Growing Pains” reminding the listener that, for as much personal anguish La Roux represents, they are certainly capable of making fun, bubbly music, too. This album can sit comfortably next to Lady Gaga’s The Fame and Little Boot’s Hands in sonic similarities, though La Roux has emotional depths that neither of those artists have yet plundered.

La Roux - Official Site | on MySpace Music