La Roux broke out in 2009 with their debut thanks to their sharp 80s synths, commanding hooks and songs that often delivered attitude and vulnerability often in the same song. Five years later,
Elly Jackson delivers "Trouble in Paradise", her first album without musical partner Ben Langmaid.
With the personal turmoil for Jackson during the making of "Paradise", the album is a safer outing this time around. Most of the tracks have the similar-sounding new wave-guitar guiding through the songs, hiding Elly's distinctive voice and lyrics.
Elly Jackson described the album as a "warmer" and "sexier" album, but while tracks like "Cruel Sexuality" and "Sexotheque" are somewhat good, they lack the personality and yearning of tracks like "Tigerlily".
La Roux's strengths continue to be synth heavy, kiss-off and heartbroken tracks. The seven minute "Silent Partner" has the synth power of their debut. "Let Me Down Gently", the gem of this album and arguably La Roux's best song, delivers with Jackson's mourning vocals, the riding synths with 80s ready saxophone solo, perfectly captures heartbreak and separation.
Sadly "Trouble in Paradise" lacks the synth-magic of these tracks or from many "La Roux" tracks. Overall the album's tracks are alright, but they are mostly safe and fail to captivate the way La Roux did with tracks that won our hearts from their start.
Score: 6.6/10