Review Summary: La Roux releases a very safe sophomore LP.
In 2009, English synthpop duo La Roux made a name for themselves with their very successful single “Bulletproof.” However, since then, La Roux has been rather quiet, without releasing a studio album in five years. La Roux is now just one member, Elly Jackson, and in 2014 she has released the second album in La Roux’s discography.
With Trouble in Paradise, we are presented with a less prominent wall of pop-electronic sounds in favor of a more classic funk sound while still keeping her synthpop identity. Perhaps, La Roux is searching for a glimmer of nostalgia that proved to be a catalyst in Daft Punk’s success of their monumental 2013 achievement, Random Access Memories. Unfortunately, La Roux does not appropriate the past in order to fulfill further inspiration for the future but instead internalizes her influences in attempts to produce a comfortable emulation.
Regardless, there is enjoyment to be found within Trouble in Paradise. For starters, this record is sleek and consistent. Each segment of Paradise serves a purpose, and no truly apparent filler material is to be found. La Roux has sought out a wonderful balance with the production on this output, sounding crisp and discerning, without bringing out too much too much into the forefront and becoming unrewarding to active listening. “Lay Me Down Gently,” a highlight on Trouble in Paradise, combines a bold and sincere vocal performance from Jackson with a pulsating, driving electro-funk backdrop that engages the listener for it’s entirety.
Paradise may provide the majority of its value within its interesting lyrical ideas. A major and recurring theme is sexuality within society, media, and culture. Elly Jackson explores different angles of this taboo such as insecurity, control, and obsession. La Roux depicts the emotions and inner thoughts related to infatuation and heartbreak.
One glaring fault on this album is the closing track, “The Feeling.” This song features an overbearing and monotonous drum pattern that fails to add one ounce of excitement. Elly Jackson attempts to showcase her upper register, which she may just want to avoid with any future output from this project. The vocal performance is sloppy, disjointed, and honestly just a bit annoying. There is no memorable melody or hook, although the track is longing to have one. All in all, this is a song that the listener will struggle to find any audible pleasure with.
Trouble in Paradise is not a bad album. It is worth a listen for it’s fun and tuneful synthpop tunes that do not take themselves too seriously. This record is incredible safe however, hindering it from achieving any amount of greatness. With an influx of quality female-led synthpop acts becoming prominent; such as Chvrches Grimes, Purity Ring, and Crystal Castles; this comfortably average output doesn’t do much to make it stand out among its company. All in all, Trouble in Paradise doesn’t give me much reason to want to revisit it any time in the near future.
