Of all the hyped debut albums of 2009, and there's been quite a few, La Roux's is the most mystifying. Synth pop duo Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid have already earned themselves a number one single, and are providing unprecedented opposition to the King of Pop for the UK's number one album spot in the week of his death. Utterly remarkable.
The truth is, anyone who loved La Roux's singles won't be disappointed with their self titled debut. The same techniques mark all songs, each driven by bouncing, jumpy synth sounds and plenty of twinned parallel vocals. Though Elly Jackson's voice can come across weak and one dimensional, many love its soft, childlike quality.
The London Community Gospel Choir's presence on 'Cover My Eyes' provides some depth, but really La Roux are at their best when playing simple and strangely dark pop music. The rhythmic twinkling and indignant harmonies of 'Tigerlily', the opening oohs of 'Quicksand' and the spiritual sounding break of 'In For The Kill' all provide enough dynamism to make those tracks stand out from the rest. They improve with repeated listens, though for 'pop' music, it's hardly catchy, and can get a little repetitive if synth music isn't your thing.
This is synthetic music in its purest form, and let's face it, this type of music is fashionable at the moment. There's not a natural instrument to be heard among La Roux's twelve tracks, which is something of an accomplishment in itself, but leaves this record sounding a little sparse and confined.
