La Roux

La Roux is an English synth-pop and electropop group from Brixton, United Kingdom, formed in 2006 and active since then. The project is centred on Elly Jackson, a singer and keyboardist born in London, and Ben Langmaid, who works with her as the songwriting and producing partner. The group begins as a duo, before Jackson continues it as a solo project after Langmaid leaves in 2011.

Background and name

Jackson and Langmaid are introduced by a mutual friend in 2006. Their first project is called Automan and features mostly acoustic material. The name La Roux is reported to come from a book of baby names, and is said to combine the French masculine word for redhead with the feminine article for “the”, a reference to Jackson’s distinctive hairstyle. The name is pronounced “lah-roo”.

Musical style

La Roux’s music is shaped by 1980s pop, with influences including Eurythmics, Depeche Mode, The Human League, Heaven 17, Yazoo and Prince. The act is associated with electronic, synth-pop, dance, electropop and indietronica.

Releases and chart success

Their debut single, “Quicksand”, is released through Kitsuné Music in 2008 and reaches number 129 in the UK. “In for the Kill” follows in 2009, reaching number 2 on the UK singles chart. Several remixes are made of the song, including versions by Skream and Lifelike. “Bulletproof” is released later in 2009, reaches number 1 in the UK and later appears on the US charts. “I’m Not Your Toy” follows as a fourth single and reaches number 27 in the UK.

The debut album, La Roux, is released on Polydor in 2009. It reaches number 2 in the UK albums chart, enters the US charts and sells more than 500,000 copies worldwide. A second album, Trouble in Paradise, is released in 2014.

Recognition

La Roux places fifth in the BBC’s Sound of 2009 poll and is named by The Guardian as one of the best new acts of that year. The debut album is nominated for the Mercury Prize. The group receives 2010 Brit Award nominations for British Breakthrough Act and British Single for “In for the Kill”. “In For The Kill (Skream’s Let’s Get Ravey remix)” wins the NME Award for Best Dancefloor Filler. La Roux is also the only act to appear four times on the NME’s 50 Best Tracks of 2009 list, with “I’m Not Your Toy”, “Bulletproof”, “In For The Kill (Skream’s Let’s Get Ravey remix)” and “In For The Kill” all included.