On the surface, this new London duo has it all — a Tilda Swinton-esque singer with an enviable quiff, overseas smash singles as catchy as the best of the Swedish hit factories, and synth pop so authentically ’80s you’d swear Vince Clarke locked it in his closet between dissolving Yaz and birthing Erasure. Unfortunately, Elly Jackson’s multitracked cry only generates a couple of emotions, and most of the music too slavishly imitates what was long ago revolutionary. But if there’s a pop record this year more swaggeringly punk than “Bulletproof,” bring it on.
WATCH: La Roux, “Bulletproof”
