Continuing on the musical timespace trajectory that made 604 successful, Ladytron returns with a sophisticated electro album where breezy melodies skillfully contrast with colder synthetic textures.
In a scene caught between the cynical coldness of Miss Kittin, the delirious pimp-disco from Felix Da Housecat and the more serious experiments of Dopplereffekt, Ladytron shows itself as the most ambitious and exciting electro act of the moment.
Ladytron's music assimilates the various European musical influences of its members in a fluid and organic musical melting pot. In Light & Magic several electronic movements blend together rather than clash, from Kraftwerk's babbling and the rigorous German school to pop from the likes of Depeche Mode, Human League and Thompson Twins along with House music. The freshness of Ladytron's music lies in its melodic approach, favoring sugary female vocals and simple lyrics that create the charm of their electro-kitsch.
Lights and Magic also profits from richer arrangements. Ladytron's sound is filled out, in particular thanks to the discreet use of more familiar instruments such as new wave guitars and basses. From a mechanized-even robotized—pop, one moves on to more human and emotional electronic music.
Three songs already sound like classics. "True Mathematics" is a venomous anthem that opens the album full blown. On the contrary, "Seventeen" is a soft and catchy electro-pop moment in the vein of the famous single "Playgirl" while "Light & Magic" bewitches the listener.
"Blue Jeans", "Startup Chime" and "Black Plastic" favor a heady approach at the rhythmic level as well as in the vocals. "Cracked LCD" seduces with its union of synth-pop inherited from Depeche Mode and goth bass. "The Reason Why" starts off rather coldly but then takes off in an unexpected lyricism. "Cease and Exit" is straightforward, with an interesting loop and 80's guitars.
"Flicking your switch" and "Nuhorizons" fall into the tradition of a more basic and monotonous electro. While "Evil" does not hide its pop ambitions, the song is a little too sleek to really hook you. Only the laborious "Fire" and "Turn it on" (an instrumental) are completely dispensable and should have been relegated to the B-side of a single.
After the innovative 604, Lights & Magic is a more elaborate album to be discovered and appreciated with each attentive listening.
Ladytron Light & Magic
