It's been nearly 20 years since the 80's ended, but on electropop duo La Roux's debut album, they seem more than happy to let it live on… and damn do they do an amazing job.
Synths abound, La Roux haven't just cribbed the 80's sound, they've thrown themselves right into it with a dedication that is impressive to say the least. However it still manages to sound modern and completely fitting in the 2009 soundscape. When they cite artists such as David Bowie and Annie Lennox in their list of influences, they aren't just name-dropping, they mean it.
The album opens with their breakthrough single In for the Kill. It grabs you instantly with an insistent drumbeat and holds you with
The following track, and "should have been fourth single" Tigerlily brings
The quirky Colourless Colour, which references "early 90's décor" has a warmth that you wouldn't believe
I'm Not Your Toy is alas a disappointment as the next single release after Bulletproof. By itself it's a great track, but on an album full of standouts it seems lacklustre. Cover My Eyes is the closest thing you'll find to a ballad on here and brings in the addition of a gospel choir, something which makes any song at least 10% better by default in my opinion.
80's revival is nothing new in recent years, and 2009 has certainly been dominated by the electropop sound, but in sea of sound-a-likes La Roux stand out from the crowd by going back to where it all began. While I never thought it possible, they've made the 80's cool again. In the video below: La Roux performs Bulletproof on the Jimmy Kimmel show.
Hailing from the
The highlight of the album (and possibly of 2009) is current NZ single Bulletproof. It's a defiant finger in the air to a former lover and the epitome of cool (just check out the video!).
