Breaking: La Roux

Who The U.K. synth-pop sensation — it's scored two Top Five hits in England — consists of striking androgynous singer Elly Jackson and behind-the-scenes beatmaker Ben Langmaid (he refuses to be interviewed or photographed and doesn't perform live). But Jackson is used to being the center of attention, for her hair — a red, Woody Woodpecker-style pouf — and her piercing voice. Says Jackson, "It's a massively powerful instrument."

Sounds Like Inspired by Eighties keyboard-and-vocal groups like the Human League and Yaz, La Roux's tunes — which the pair cut in Langmaid's living room — feature staccato synths over pulsing beats and Jackson's insistent, high-pitched vocals. "I grew up listening to Joni Mitchell," says Jackson. "But when I started going clubbing, I realized I didn't want to sit on a chair with a guitar."

Tears for Fears The dark lyrics — culled from sad-sack poems that Jackson wrote in high school — belie the album's euphoric vibe. The robotic-funk cut ­"Tigerlily" features lyrics about "lurking in the dark" and stalking a former lover. "All the songs are sad," says Jackson, who shed tears in the recording sessions. "It was quite intense."

Get It Now: Watch La Roux perform "Bulletproof" in the video above.

• 
  MUSIC 100 Greatest Debut Albums
• 
  MOVIES 'Star Trek' Is Crazy Good
• 
  TV 10 Shows to Watch This Summer
• 
  POLITICS No Price Big Banks Can't Fix

Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

More Song Stories entries »

Twitter