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La Roux

From Alfawiki
La Roux
Company typeMusic project
IndustryMusic
Founded2008
FounderElly Jackson, Ben Langmaid
Headquarters
England
ProductsSynth-pop music

La Roux () is a synth-pop music project originating from England, established in 2008 by vocalist Elly Jackson alongside producer Ben Langmaid. Their initial album, La Roux (2009), achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim, earning a Grammy and featuring popular tracks such as "In for the Kill" and "Bulletproof". Nevertheless, the creation of their sophomore record faced setbacks due to failed collaborations, postponed release schedules, and internal disagreements.[1]

Following Langmaid's departure in 2012, Jackson continued La Roux as a solo endeavor. The second album, Trouble in Paradise (2014), was praised by critics but did not meet commercial expectations, resulting in their exit from Polydor Records. Independently, Jackson released a third album titled Supervision in 2020.

2006–2011: Formation and debut album

Elly Jackson (born 12 March 1988)[2] met Ben Langmaid in 2006. Initially performing acoustic music under the name Automan—drawing inspiration from artists like Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell—they later shifted towards electronic sounds and adopted the name La Roux, a nod to Jackson’s red hair and a blend of masculine and feminine French words.[3]

Their first single, "Quicksand", was released through the French indie label Kitsuné in December 2008,[4] before signing with Polydor Records. The subsequent single "In for the Kill" debuted on 16 March 2009 and gained recognition partly due to remixes by dubstep producers Skream and Skrillex.[5] It reached number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. Their third release, "Bulletproof", launched on 21 June 2009 and entered at number one across the UK.[6] It also topped the Hot Dance Club Songs chart, peaked at number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and sold over two million copies stateside. The self-titled debut album La Roux was released on 26 June 2009 to positive critical reception,[7][8] reaching number 2 in the UK charts and number 70 on the US Billboard 200.[9] The fourth single, "I'm Not Your Toy", peaked at number 27 in the UK.[10] Plans to issue "As If by Magic" and "Tigerlily" as singles were eventually abandoned.[11][12]

To support their debut, La Roux opened for Lily Allen’s UK tour in March 2009,[13] headlined the NME Radar Tour, played at prominent festivals such as Glastonbury and Reading and Leeds,[14][15] and completed two North American tours within that year.[16][17] Two Australian concerts sold out quickly, prompting venue upgrades.[18] They wrapped up an eleven-date tour across the UK and Ireland in November.[19] La Roux was ranked fifth in the BBC’s Sound of 2009 poll,[20] featured on The Guardian's New Band of the Day,[21] nominated for a Mercury Prize,[22] with their debut earning platinum certification in both the UK and Ireland, as well as gold status in Australia.

After Skream’s remix of "In for the Kill" was featured on HBO's Entourage in August 2010, sales of the track increased by 600%. A remix EP coincided with their November US tour.[23] A new music video was shot at New York’s Hotel Chelsea.[24] In 2010, Jackson lent her vocals to Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy[25][26] and appeared on West & Jay-Z’s Watch the Throne on the track "That's My Bitch".[27] She also featured on Chromeo’s single "Hot Mess" from their album Business Casual, released early in 2011.[28] At the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, La Roux won Best Dance/Electronic Album for their debut work, with "In for the Kill" nominated for Best Dance Recording.[29]

2012–2017: Langmaid's exit and Trouble in Paradise

By January 2012, La Roux described their upcoming second album as "cheekier" and more "sensual," incorporating increased acoustic instrumentation. The duo had been intermittently working on this material for over two years, reportedly collaborating with an indie rock group. Langmaid departed from La Roux during this period; however, this was publicly confirmed only two years later.

In March 2013, La Roux returned with a modest tour featuring four new songs that received favorable early reviews. The second studio album, Trouble in Paradise, was announced in April 2014 with a UK release date set for 21 July. Ahead of its release came promotional track "Let Me Down Gently" and lead single "Uptight Downtown", which reached number 63 on UK charts. Another promotional single, "Tropical Chancer", followed in June. During promotion efforts, Jackson confirmed Langmaid’s departure, becoming La Roux’s sole member. Langmaid expressed feelings of being "truly saddened" by his exit. Despite positive critical reception, Trouble in Paradise peaked at number six in the UK but lacked sustained chart presence elsewhere; October's single "Kiss and Not Tell" did not achieve notable chart success.

In July 2014, La Roux toured North America including opening slots for New Order in San Francisco and Los Angeles. The tour extended through Europe, North America, Australia, and South America into early 2015. Additional European appearances included Croatia’s INmusic Festival, UK's Glastonbury, and Germany’s Melt! Festival. The touring lineup comprised four musicians including keyboardist/backing vocalist Mickey O'Brien. Jackson contributed shared lead vocals on New Order's tracks "Tutti Frutti" and "People on the High Line," plus backing vocals on "Plastic," featured on their 2015 album Music Complete. She also appeared briefly in Absolutely Fabulous (2016), performing "Sexotheque" and "Uptight Downtown." By 2016, La Roux's live ensemble included members such as Seye Adelekan, Olugbenga Adelekan from Metronomy, and Jay Sharrock from Miles Kane's band. Although new material was recorded during this time frame, Jackson chose to discard it entirely by 2017.

2018–present: Release of Supervision

In 2018, La Roux provided vocals for Whyte Horses' track "The Best of It," followed by a feature on their cover of "Mr. Natural" in 2019. She also contributed background vocals to Tyler, the Creator’s song "Thank You" from his album Igor. During this period, she wrote and recorded her third studio album—her first solo-produced work—titled Supervision, which was independently released via her label Supercolour Records on 7 February 2020. Singles preceding the album included "International Woman of Leisure" (October 2019), "Gullible Fool" (December 2019), and "Automatic Driver" (January 2020). While none of these singles charted significantly, Supervision garnered mixed to favorable critiques and achieved moderate commercial performance—reaching number 20 in the UK charts and number 85 in Germany.

Plans for European and North American tours supporting the album were announced for early 2020 with new touring musicians; however, North American dates were postponed then ultimately cancelled due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Continuing collaborations included work with Boulevards on "Too Far" as well as CASisDEAD’s single and video "Park Assist". In 2021, she released a cover version of Gang of Four’s "Damaged Goods" for the compilation The Problem of Leisure: A Celebration of Andy Gill & Gang of Four. Additionally, she appeared in Sky Arts’ documentary Blitzed: The 80's Blitz Kids' Story, discussing how the New Romantic movement influenced her generation.

Expanding her musical range further, La Roux unveiled “Feedback” in 2022 featuring rapper Baby Tate, incorporating pronounced R&B influences.

In July 2023, she shared an unreleased track titled Malibu Barbie exclusively via her YouTube channel.

Artistry

Elly Jackson initially developed an interest in folk music influenced by artists such as Carole King and Nick Drake, inspired by her parents’ record collection. Her early musical output reflected folk sensibilities akin to those of Joni Mitchell. During her mid-teen years, her preferences shifted toward rave culture with influences drawn from artists including Gerry Rafferty, Madonna, Prince, Depeche Mode, Eurythmics, singer-songwriter Jenny Wilson, and electronic duo The Knife. She made her stage debut at London’s Half Moon Pub at age seventeen.

In July 2010, La Roux curated a volume of Sidetracked, a compilation series by Renaissance that highlights electronic artists’ influences. Her mix featured acts such as Japan, Heaven 17, Joyce Sims, Fever Ray (Karin Dreijer), Doris Troy, Tears for Fears alongside an exclusive live cover version of The Rolling Stones’ "Under My Thumb."

Jackson has critiqued contemporary music trends favoring conformity or “normality.” Her distinctive gender-neutral image—evoking styles similar to those of ’80s band A Flock of Seagulls—challenges conventional gender roles. She resists attempts by stylists to feminize her appearance to maintain her unique artistic persona.

Members

  • Eleanor Kate "Elly" Jackson (born March 12, 1988) serves as lead vocalist, songwriter, and sole current member of La Roux following its transition from duo status. Recognizable by her red hair and gender-fluid style presentation, Jackson possesses a soprano vocal range. Born in London to actors Trudie Goodwin and Kit Jackson, she attended Pimlico School before moving to Sydenham High School and Royal Russell School. She has openly discussed feeling uneasy about disclosing her sexuality publicly.
  • Ben Langmaid functioned as songwriter and producer for La Roux from its inception until his departure in 2012 but remained absent from live performances or videos. Based in London as a producer/composer, Langmaid was active as a DJ during the ’90s collaborating with Rollo Armstrong of Faithless under Huff & Puff; they released house single “Help Me Make It” in ’96. He also recorded under Atomic and participated in Huff & Herb before contributing to indie rock band Kubb’s debut album Mother released in ’05. Langmaid declined joining Kubb full-time but wrote material for early ’90s R&B girl group War of Words circa ’11.

Touring members

  • Michael Greene – keyboards; left in 2012 to pursue solo career under Fort Romeau
  • Mickey O'Brien – keyboards/backing vocals (2008–2016)
  • William Bowerman – percussion (2009–2016)
  • Ed Seed – bass guitar (2013–2016)
  • Matthew "Matty" Carroll – bass guitar (2013–2016)
  • Seye Adelekan – bass guitar (2016)
  • Olugbenga Adelekan – bass guitar (2016)
  • Jay Sharrock – percussion instruments (2016)
  • Fernando Sanchez – bass/keyboard duties (2019–2020)
  • Louis Sommer – bass guitar (2020; returning again from 2025)
  • Karl Bossche – percussion instruments (2020)
  • Dani Diodato – bass/keyboard roles (from 2025)

Discography

Template:Main article

Awards

rowspan=3 2014 Popjustice £20 Music Prize Best British Pop Single "Uptight Downtown" Template:Nom rowspan=2 Rober Awards Music Poll Best Female Artist rowspan=2 La Roux Template:Nom Best Pop Artist Template:Nom rowspan="3" 2015 rowspan="3"NME Awards Best Album Trouble in ParadiseTemplate:Nom Best Solo Act rowspan=2 La Roux Template:Nom Best Fan Community Template:Nom
Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2009 O2 Silver Clef Awards Best Newcomer La Roux Template:Won
Studio8 International Music Awards Female Newcomer of the Year Elly Jackson Template:Won
Studio8 Song of July 2009 "Bulletproof" Template:Won
Mercury Prize – La Roux Template:Nom
MTV Europe Music Awards Best New Act La Roux Template:Nom
Best Push Artist Template:Nom
Best UK & Ireland New Act Template:Nom
Žebřík Music Awards Best International Discovery Template:Nom
Virgin Media Music Awards Best Newcomer La Roux Template:Nom
Best Album La Roux Template:Nom
mtvU Woodie Awards Breaking Woodie La Roux Template:Nom
Q Awards Breakthrough Artist Template:Nom
UK Festival Awards Best Breakthrough Act Template:Nom
Popjustice £20 Music Prize 5th place "In for the Kill" Template:Nom
The Record of the Year 7th place "In for the Kill" Template:Nom
UK Music Video Awards Best Styling in a Video "Quicksand" Template:Nom
iTunes 2009 UK Music Awards Single of the Year "In for the Kill" Template:Won
Best Art Vinyl Best Art Vinyl 2009 'La Roux' '9th'
2010 Brit Awards British Breakthrough Act La Roux Template:Nom
British Single "In for the Kill" Template:Nom
Glamour Women of the Year Awards Band of the Year La Roux Template:Nom
Sheer Infusion Newcomer La Roux Template:Nom
NME Awards Best Dancefloor Filler "In for the Kill" (Skream Remix) Template:Won
Best New Band La Roux Template:Nom
Best Dressed Elly Jackson Template:Nom
Ivor Novello Awards Best Contemporary Song "In for the Kill" Template:Nom
MTV Video Music Awards Japan Best Dance Video "I'm Not Your Toy" Template:Nom
International Dance Music Awards Best Underground Dance Track "In for the Kill" (Skream Remix) Template:Nom
Best Alternative/Rock Dance Track "Bulletproof" Template:Nom
Best Electro Track "In for the Kill" (Skream Remix) Template:Nom
Best Dubstep/DNB/Jungle Track "In for the Kill" (Skream Remix) Template:Won
Best Break-Through Artist (Group) La Roux Template:Won
NewNowNext Awards Brink of Fame: Music Artist La Roux Template:Nom
2011 Grammy Awards Best Dance Recording "In for the Kill" Template:Nom
Best Electronic/Dance Album La Roux Template:Won
Billboard Music Awards Top Dance Artist La Roux Template:Nom
BMI Pop Awards Award-Winning Song "Bulletproof" Template:Won


External links

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