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“La Roux” is the self-titled debut album by English electropop duo La Roux, which consist of lead singer, Elly Jackson and co-writer and co-producer Ben Langmaid. The album was released on 29th June 2009 by Polydor Records.

First Impressions
Prior to the album release, I’ve listened to buzz single “Quicksand” and the #2 hit, “In for the Kill“. I wasn’t really expecting “In for the Kill” to be a hit single. Compared to Little Boots, La Roux is the underdog, with the former is glossier than the latter. There’s just an air of uniqueness in the sound and style of La Roux. The album is entirely produced by La Roux themselves.

On the vocals and syth, Elly Jackson sounds like a female equivalent of Pet Shop Boys lead singer, Neil Tennant, when Elly’s is on falsetto. When she’s not, Elly’s attitude is straight on fierce.

On the first listen, I wasn’t able to take in everything cause it’s such a fresh sound and a departure from current electropop stuff. I immediately linked this album with the sound of a fast-paced tetris. The album grows on me after a couple of listens and surprisingly hooked on it. It’s indeed a grower. True that it has 80s influences from PSB, Soft Cell, Erasure, Human League and most notably, Eurythmics. But the album has a modern twist to this sound, making it fresh.

Standout tracks

• In for the Kill
  UK #2 hit, album opener. On the first beat, you’ll find that you’ve travelled back in time. Groovy and catchy, I thought singing it in falsetto for the whole song is weird, but it works. =)

• Tigerlily
  
  This song packs a rough, hard punch on the verses. But it grows soft on the chorus. Reeks with attitude. Quicksand – The beats are rather arresting here. Again, sharp and piercing vocals by Elly.

• Bulletproof
  3rd single, UK #1 hit. It’s definitely electro-pop madness on the production here. The chorus is definitely irresistible. Now you all know why I adore this song alot. =)

• I’m Not Your Toy
  
  Upcoming 4th single. Another song with both killer chorus and production. It’s set to be another hit for La Roux. Maybe another number 1??

• Cover My Eyes
  It’s a slow, sensitive ballad. “Every time you leave with her, something inside of me dies”, Elly sings on the chorus. It sends chills down my spine with the lyrics.

• As If by Magic
  As this song suggest, the song’s magical and easy-listening.

• Fascination
  I particular like the syth beats of this song and the chorus. =)

• Reflections Are Protections
  The bouncy beats are addictive. Elly sings about taking comfort in her memories.

Final Verdict
The whole album blends very well together, song after song, that it could be a megamix instead. An astounding debut, it is indeed a grower to many. La Roux is pure retro syth-pop with a modern twist, while Little Boots is much more glossier. So, it would be kinda unfair to compare as both have distinctly different sounds. Uniquely appealing, I would deem that this album is edgy and has a cool factor indeed.

This album scores 4 out of 5 stars.