Hello 80’s revival 2009!
If you hadn’t already noticed (frankly, you must’ve had your head under a rock for the past few months-which, incidentally, I’m not condemning) but, you really should be aware that this year’s music scene is set to be re-liberated by the psychedelic harmonies and ‘synthy’ undertones of the late 70’s/early 80’s. (Cue sigh; I know, I know- Trust me, I did first time I heard this little remark, however…) Welcome an evolution of kraut rock and electro-pop with open arms. Bathe in the delights of artists such as La Roux, Bat for Lashes, Florence and the Machine, Little Boots, VV Brown, Coco Rosie and Lykee Li. (It’s actually not, contrary to popular opinion, a genre purely for those who deem themselves to be radically ‘out-there’ in the realms of contemporary culture. You don’t have to have smoked heroin to join this club.) Fusing something quaintly old-skool with the most futuristic sounds we’ve heard since Kraftwerk’s hit with ‘Autobahn’ in 1975, so called ‘power-pop’ promises to cause a fucking scene. POW!
Leading the crusade this month is the chart rocking, electro-duo Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid aka the formidable, La Roux. This outlandishly sexy pair from South London have hit the ‘big-time’ with their new release ‘In For The Kill’, following their equally successful debut, ‘Quicksand’. Currently preparing to support Lilly Allen on her UK tour, La Roux have attracted undeniably positive attention from a soiree of critics and have already had their latest single remixed by fellow artist and fan, Skream. It is this heavily poisonous dub-step tune that is sending shockwaves through the current club-scene, receiving particularly colossal praise from Radio1 DJ and underground clubland extraordinaire, Annie Mac.
The duo is fronted with Jackson’s hauntingly beautiful vocals (not to mention androgynously attractive appearance) and underpinned with voluptuous synths and bassy beats. Despite being just 21, and therefore (technically) barely old enough to remember the 80’s at all, the Brixton singer has managed to capture the essence of the era down to the minute detail of her wavy quiff. (Good effort!) She has somehow avoided a complete commercial duplication of said 80’s music yet it is treacherously easy to see where her influences come from…
Michael Jackson, Prince, David Bowie, The Knife, Justice, Eurythmics, Sebastien Tellier, Tears for Fears, The Faint, Blondie, CLOR, Postal Service, Human League, Chaka Khan, Depeche Mode, Kitsune, Gary Numan, Hot Chip, The Cure, Mr Oizo, Blancmange, SebastiAn, Talk Talk, Doris Troy, Tom Vek, CSS, George Michael, YAZOO, Boys NOize, Joni Mitchell, Madonna (early).TEPR, Heaven 17.
(To name but a few!)
This (I assure you, in the most unobtrusive way) is an innovative and exciting breed of pop (at its very best) and with La Roux tipped to be more than just an interesting hairdo we await their next single with baited breath (or eager anticipation-whichever you prefer; I couldn’t decide!)
In the meantime check out these venues and dates:
30th April, Thekla, ‘Brizzle’
14th May, Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
15th May, Honey Club, Brighton
19th May, KoKo, London.
If you hadn’t already noticed (frankly, you must’ve had your head under a rock for the past few months-which, incidentally, I’m not condemning) but, you really should be aware that this year’s music scene is set to be re-liberated by the psychedelic harmonies and ‘synthy’ undertones of the late 70’s/early 80’s. (Cue sigh; I know, I know- Trust me, I did first time I heard this little remark, however…) Welcome an evolution of kraut rock and electro-pop with open arms. Bathe in the delights of artists such as La Roux, Bat for Lashes, Florence and the Machine, Little Boots, VV Brown, Coco Rosie and Lykee Li. (It’s actually not, contrary to popular opinion, a genre purely for those who deem themselves to be radically ‘out-there’ in the realms of contemporary culture. You don’t have to have smoked heroin to join this club.) Fusing something quaintly old-skool with the most futuristic sounds we’ve heard since Kraftwerk’s hit with ‘Autobahn’ in 1975, so called ‘power-pop’ promises to cause a fucking scene. POW!
Leading the crusade this month is the chart rocking, electro-duo Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid aka the formidable, La Roux. This outlandishly sexy pair from South London have hit the ‘big-time’ with their new release ‘In For The Kill’, following their equally successful debut, ‘Quicksand’. Currently preparing to support Lilly Allen on her UK tour, La Roux have attracted undeniably positive attention from a soiree of critics and have already had their latest single remixed by fellow artist and fan, Skream. It is this heavily poisonous dub-step tune that is sending shockwaves through the current club-scene, receiving particularly colossal praise from Radio1 DJ and underground clubland extraordinaire, Annie Mac.
The duo is fronted with Jackson’s hauntingly beautiful vocals (not to mention androgynously attractive appearance) and underpinned with voluptuous synths and bassy beats. Despite being just 21, and therefore (technically) barely old enough to remember the 80’s at all, the Brixton singer has managed to capture the essence of the era down to the minute detail of her wavy quiff. (Good effort!) She has somehow avoided a complete commercial duplication of said 80’s music yet it is treacherously easy to see where her influences come from…
Michael Jackson, Prince, David Bowie, The Knife, Justice, Eurythmics, Sebastien Tellier, Tears for Fears, The Faint, Blondie, CLOR, Postal Service, Human League, Chaka Khan, Depeche Mode, Kitsune, Gary Numan, Hot Chip, The Cure, Mr Oizo, Blancmange, SebastiAn, Talk Talk, Doris Troy, Tom Vek, CSS, George Michael, YAZOO, Boys NOize, Joni Mitchell, Madonna (early).TEPR, Heaven 17.
(To name but a few!)
This (I assure you, in the most unobtrusive way) is an innovative and exciting breed of pop (at its very best) and with La Roux tipped to be more than just an interesting hairdo we await their next single with baited breath (or eager anticipation-whichever you prefer; I couldn’t decide!)
In the meantime check out these venues and dates:
30th April, Thekla, ‘Brizzle’
14th May, Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
15th May, Honey Club, Brighton
19th May, KoKo, London.
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