Supervision (sew On Patch)

Well, La Roux is a case of too little, too late, I'm afraid. Eleanor Jackson and producer Ben Langmaid made a pretty good debut in 2009 with "Bulletproof" on it. Now, Ms. Jackson is complaining that's all she's known for, and that she didn't intend to sound like 80's synthpop. So, before their second album, Ben Langmaid left. The second album, "Trouble in Paradise" (2014) wasn't as good, and it came five years after their debut, which in pop music land is a lifetime. No one even paid attention in 2014. La Roux had been forgotten in the USA as a one-hit-wonder. To this day, La Roux only has one hit, "Bulletproof" in the USA.Now, another five and a half years has elapsed and she expects to use the La Roux moniker to continue, but, again, it's been another lifetime in pop music land. Additionally, "Supervision" doesn't have any strong singles. It's also quite repetitive and lacking in musical ideas. By the time I got through the final track, the songs blended together rather than stood apart from one another. The sound she employs here is lo-fi 80's Grace Jones "My Jamaican Guy"/David Bowie "Let's Dance" era. This isn't her strength. She belongs front and center in front of stacks and stacks of synthesizers. She is Kraftwerk, Human League, OMD, Howard Jones, Thompson Twins, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Erasure, Yaz, Thomas Dolby, Eurythmics, not what she is trying to become now.I was disappointed with this new album, and this new musical direction because it doesn't play to her strengths as an artist. She may feel she is making music that is more aligned with who she really is now, but I'm not feeling it. This music felt thin, and as if it all were a demo made in her bedroom with little production and engineering.All this being said I guess I liked "Automatic Driver" (third single), "International Woman of Leisure" (first single) and everything else was a toss up. Given the fact that the two songs I found to be the strongest were already released as singles says that whomever is picking the singles must feel the same way about this album. The other single from the album "Gullible Fool" is seven minutes long and just mediocre.If you want to listen to an 80's album that is only 8 songs long, but everyone a winner, look no further than Steve Winwood's "Back in the High Life" (1986) and "Roll with It" (1988). Every song counts, and they all don't sound alike. Heck, I'll even give credit to David Bowie's triumphant pop return, "Let's Dance" (1983) which is also 8 songs.I don't know how an artist comes in with a cutting edge, but retro debut, and then does a musical about face, committing commercial suicide, and calling her 'true calling' or 'true self'.Here's how "Supervision" compares to La Roux's other works:2009 La Roux: Four Stars2014 Trouble in Paradise: Three Stars2020 Supervision: Three Stars

Everything she releesez iz gold

It is a wonderful, warm album. I love the laid back but yet funky vibe. La Roux is always growing and different sound for each album. It is great to see an artist do something different than all the cookie cutter pop albums of today. I love her work.

I first got into La Roux after seeing Elly perform at Maida Vale studios on the red button along side Little Boots and the legends Gary Numan and Heaven 17. That was a few years back. I loved the first album and have been a fan ever since. Myself being nearly 50 It's not easy getting into modern music but La Roux is modern nostalgia!Fast forward to this album and at first I wasn't sold. What was needed was more volume!Having played the album several times now I'm hooked. It's a bit repetitive at times but that funky beat and Ellys voice are so addictive and it's just a great, fun album. Elly keeps the album lean and not over produced giving it that nice raw edge so beloved of the original album. Some might argue that it may sound a bit sparse and simplistic but it's the sound world I expect from La Roux and creating such a big sound without all the over production must be very difficult. As much as I enjoyed the second album it was a bit too commercial for me, no doubt a fault of the record company rather than Elly. Maybe she should re-record Trouble in Paradise her way.Anyhow I recommend this for any La Roux fan or anyone needing some good old fashioned funky synth sounds. Welcome back Elly, you've been very much missed in this world of musical wallpaper and X factor dross. I do hope we don't have to wait another six years for more.

Much like my review of Morrissey's last album, take this review with heavy dose of biased salt.I've always liked La Roux, and although I don't have a host of decent audio equipment, I went for the vinyl. The result? Very happy. The overall product is good; nothing that will blow any socks off, but the record has that reassuring weight to it (no expert here, but it looks, feels and sounds good) and the cover is simple and unfussy.As for the music, it's brilliant. Again, nothing outrageous, but still solid and memorable.My only slight gripe was that my record sleeve had some slight creasing to one of the corners. For me, not a deal-breaker, but considering how well packed it was, I felt this a little orf. BUT that is very nit-picky.From a very one-sided reviewer, I was still more than happy with the music and the record.Recommend.

The first two albums from La Roux were great, to be honest - especially her (seeing as the only member of the band is Elly Jackson now) debut - so I was really looking forward to this latest effort; her first in six years.'Supervision' is a deceptively strong album which, I do confess, took a few listens to really grow on me. The three singles released - 'International Woman of Leisure', 'Automatic Driver' and 'Gullible Fool' - are all honestly mighty tracks indeed, harping on about La Roux's independence following what seems to be a terrible ordeal ending in heartbreak. But we all know what an icon La Roux is anyway, and these tracks were made to be played live. 'Automatic Driver' really is my favourite song of the album, being stuck in my head all the time. And 'Gullible Fool' just builds and builds and builds.But the other tracks are great, too. 'Do You Feel' climaxes in a two-minute repetitive closer that's just so catchy and infectious. The album's opener, '21st Century' is equally contagious, and 'He Rides' is much in the same vein.Overall, the album probably isn't as good as La Roux's debut, but certainly on par with 2014's 'Trouble in Paradise'.The Amazon Exclusive edition also comes with a really neat 'Super Colour' (Jackson's record label) sew-on patch, and the booklet contains all the lyrics. The colours of the whole package are so 80s and garish; I love it. Heartily recommend for any fans of electro or synthpop. La Roux strikes back.

Wow! I’ve been a huge La Roux fan since day one - this album is awesome it has everything I love but it’s so fresh and - I don’t know I’d this is the right work but ‘simple’? The songs are faultless and they lyrics are really strong - sitting on this amazing music. It’s such a mix of musical references but at the same time so ‘uncomplicated’. It’s a really, really strong record - I love all her albums, but this is probably my favourite. One thing is it’s quite short - you want to listen to it it over and over and for me that’s is the sign of a great record.

Both of Elly Jackson’s first albums had a lot of tracks I really enjoyed, but this is something else; a cohesive whole that moulds her sound into a seamless blend of cool sonics and sublime vocals. And the lyrics feel very personal this time round too. Great stuff.

This album has been a long time coming. Upbeat, foot-tapping and feel-good music. Wonderful. I am pleased with my purchase and would buy again.

Very refreshing album, production and mix are perfect

Good 3rd cd from artist.

No comments

Great album even came with a free gift, no complaints here

This is La Roux's most low-key and "chill" album so far. Instead of having instantly likeable pop singles, it requires a couple of listens to get into the grooves. But once they hit you, you won't be able to stop listening, and dancing. The production is just perfection, especilly where the songs have very long instrumental outros. Overall I'm so glad for her to be back with an album I like only very slightly less than Trouble in Paradise (her best so far).

Bin positiv überrascht. Die Sängerin hat sich weiterentwickelt und trotzdem ist sie unverwechselbar . Die Musik ist leichter , der Funkystyle macht die Sache tanzbar und gibt gute Laune.

Received when predicted packaged well came in good condition album is wicked awesome