IM // UR | La Roux - In For The Kill

We swear this isn't an ironic listening. We love Beyoncé and 4. OK, we might unironically skip straight to track 5, 'Party', produced by Kanye West and with rap by Andre3000, because we ain't no stay-home-mums that need all those ballads about being broken hearted and finding the right person. But, after that, the album turns into a beautiful compilation of classic r'n'b, soul and a bit of sweat-inducing booty tracks - not too many though - that sound surprisingly courageous considering the actual state of pop music. And for that, we bow down and hail Queen B. P.S. Get the deluxe version, for those extra couple of amazing tracks.

WE // R \\ WEARING

The name of this label has been interpreted in many ways; from 'bass-seekey' to 'base-ike', but the correct way describes exactly what this label is about: BASIC. Bassike delivers easily breezily cut staples with an interesting little twist that keeps them from being your run of the mill. For those that live in climates like that of Australia (where Bassike hails from) or Brazil, you'll know how easy it is to make fashion faux pas when the weather gets hot and the prospect of wearing anything but a bathing suit becomes slightly unappealing; Bassike is all and everything you need.

WE // R \\ WATCHING

Before watching HBO's Game of Thrones, I assumed the series would tend a bit more towards the blood-dripping Danish movie Valhalla Rising rather than fairy-tale stories a lá 'Lord of the Rings'; and for that I didn't really like the series at the beginning. But slowly, I found myself submitting to tales of bad kings, midget juggernauts, savage warriors and... dragons. And that happened probably because there aren't exactly good guys and bad guys here, like there are in Tolkien stories - and that is, of course, a simplification of his work. Another reason I relented to this series is because of the intriguing political backstage element that leads to the ever-happening dance of thrones. Oh, and did I mention the gratuitous nekkid-ness?

WE // R \\ GOING

Of the slew of new spots having opened up in Sydney in the last six months, The Norfolk on Cleveland St in Surry Hills has been one fated with success. Owned by some of the same kids that have brought The Flinders back to life (and currently, it's incredibly quick onset of 'The Norms'), you'll undoubtedly find The Norfolk rammed with all kinds, vying for a bite, a beer and a spot in the garden out back. The aim of the game is to cultivate Aussie pub culture at it's best; and it's doing a pretty decent job so far - if only you could get a table!

WE // R \\ READING

Super Sad True Love Story is the third book from the writer of the best selling Absurdistan, Gary Shteyngart. Incidentally, I read him name dropped in Flavorpill's Ultimate Hipster Reading list and in the same sentence as James Franco (they're buds, apaprently) just before I finished his latest offering. Don't let any of that put you off, or take away any of the sad scary brilliance of Super Sad True Love Story; written from the perspective of one 39 year old Lenny Abramov, son of Russian immigrants and in love with the impossibly cute and cruel Eunice Park. A satire that cuts to the bone, Super Sad True Love Story is exactly it's title. And it's good.

La Roux - In For The Kill

Tuesday // April 14, 2009 at 23:30 // filed under Music

Single cover

Yes, like I said, I'm one of those people who likes to compare La Roux and Little Boots all the time. And as both of them got a new single out backed up with some nice remixes, it's time for a 'who is better' moment on the blog. This post is divided in two parts (check the first one here), now it's the time of La Roux and her latest single 'In For the Kill'.

SONG

Who knew the '80s would be such an unforgettable decade? After all these years, you can turn on your radio and tune in to a new song that is more dated than Depeche Mode's career, but don't you just love it? Elly Jackson's unique voice is almost over the top but it just about fits in with those silly old beats.

REMIXES

The Twelves's sound like those vertiginous DFA adventures, only more radio friendly. If all the bands/producer put as much effort as those two guys put into every remix, Hype Machine would be a nicer place.

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Lifelike went darker than his usual, but still stuck to the '80s theme, like if Kraftwerk went as human as The Pet Shop Boys. Heartbreak's is quite similar, only colder. Way colder.

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Skream's ethereal instrumental makes La Roux's lyrics feel deeper. The breakbeat/dubstep influence was also really welcome.

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VIDEO

La Roux - In For The Kill

Blue. Pink. '80s retro-futurism. A Delorean. Smoke. Funny glass. Cool. Clichês. Mix all those things together and you've got a video clip a La Roux for 'In For The Kill'. Not that we were expecting anything less...

SCORE

7/10

BONUS

The Mad Decent crew remixed La Roux's first single 'Quicksand'. It's not what you would expect them to sound at all. Somebody must be depressed at Diplo's label... Is that you Wes?

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POSTED BY RAPHAEL CAFFARENA

TAGS: The Twelves, La Roux, Lifelike, Heartbreak, Skream, Mad Decent // LINKS: La Roux