La Roux (born Elly Jackson), the most famous redhead of the moment, presents us a mixture of 80’s pop with futuristic ideals and looks. The hype started when “Quicksand” came out. The first single climbed quickly to the tops, was released through the label of the moment (Kitsuné) and featured three fabulous danceable remixes! “In For The Kill” came as a second single and the hype grew even bigger, the song played everywhere, Skream’s “Lets Get Ravey” remix was a dancefloor hit and a major label appeared. The third single “Bulletproof” just came to confirm what everyone was hoping – a remarkable debut album. And that is the truth, when everyone thought that 80’s revival was dead, the self titled album ‘La Roux’ came out and it will probably be one of the best things you’ll be able to hear this year.
Little Boots was huge even before she released anything. Acclaimed by BBC, her way to the top seemed easy. A few singles and EP’s proved she had some great electro-pop songs to call our attention. “Stuck On Repeat” and “Meddle” did the honours (as well as a bunch of remixes) and half a world thought the new Kylie Minogue was coming there. Early this summer, the debut album ‘Hands’ came out and was a disappointment. Despite the great songs it has, the whole album seems like a huge effort to appear pretty and glamorous, and again its impossible to avoid the Kylie Minogue comparison, but still there’s something that Little Boots miss to be at that level, and so, her music seems almost like an imitation and a lot of interest is lost.
But not only these two girls appeared making cool pop music lately. England also “bread” Ellie Goulding, Marina & The Diamonds, Pixie Lott and Florence & The Machine. Ellie is showing herself with two interesting songs called “Starry Eyed” and “Wish I Stayed” (the last one in collaboration with the also poppy Frankmusik). Marina & The Diamonds started to climb her ladder with the EP ‘The Crown Jewels’ that has “I Am Not A Robot” as main track and ‘Obsessions / Mowgli’s Road’ released as a double A Side single. Pixie Lott is probably more likely to reach mainstream than all the others, her music is electro-popish with catchy pastiche chorus (doesn’t she reminds Lady Gaga?!). Lott’s first single’s called “Mama Do” and the video is around… On the other hand, there’s Florence & The Machine and her AMAZING debut album ‘Lungs’ nominated for the Mercury Prize. She is more headed to rock than electro, and songs like “Dog Days Are Over” and “Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)” are not easy to forget that soon…