Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 28
  2. Negative: 0 out of 28
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  1. 100
    At only nine tracks long, but with every one of them worthy of single status, it displays, as pop albums go, both rare economy and staggering consistency.
  2. Jul 17, 2014
    100
    In truth, the songwriting quality never really dips. Almost sickeningly overburdened with fantastic tunes, Trouble in Paradise may well be not just a triumph against the odds, but the best pop album we'll hear this year.
  3. 90
    In spite of all the terror and uncertainty, it's the warmth that lingers.
  4. Jul 16, 2014
    90
    This polished set is pure aural candy from front-to-back and firmly re-establishes Jackson as one of Britain’s premier pop talents.
  5. 80
    La Roux’s march may has slowed to a stroll, but she proves here that she can captivate at any pace.
  6. Jul 24, 2014
    80
    The laid-back riffs and grooves are balanced by big hooks and melodies that make the most of Jackson’s airy (and refreshingly unprocessed-sounding) voice.
  7. Jul 22, 2014
    80
    Jackson writes open-endedly, shifting between direct experience and metaphor; mysteries left unsolved by her lyrics and persona are alternately heightened and resolved by the hurt in her voice, the assuredness of her arrangements.
  8. Jul 21, 2014
    80
    Jackson is more adventurous here.
  9. Jul 18, 2014
    80
    Tearing its way through nine songs of heady, humid, pop music in quick, effortless succession, La Roux is quickly establishing herself as a formidable force of pop, and it will be interesting to see where Elly Jackson goes from here.
  10. Jul 15, 2014
    80
    Elly Jackson firmly takes control of her career and delivers a tremendously confident second album, one that repositions La Roux and has a whole lot of fun while doing so.
  11. 80
    There’s a notable evolution here, and we see the lone Jackson strive for something you can sink your teeth into over the course of a few days, weeks, month, rather than something you can insufflate at a club in the space of a few minutes.
  12. Q Magazine
    Jul 7, 2014
    80
    There's barely a wasted note on these nine tracks. [Aug 2014, p.104]
  13. Uncut
    Jul 7, 2014
    80
    A much warmer, more luxurious record than the brittle debut, the shrillness wiped from Jackson's voice in favour of uncontrived and appealing attitude. [Aug 2014, p.74]
  14. Jul 22, 2014
    76
    A welcome, long-awaited return after a troubled hiatus, but it hums along comfortably without striking any innovative poses.
  15. 75
    Is Trouble In Paradise a groundbreaking work of unparalleled foresight and talent? No. But is it a spectacular assessment of La Roux’s painfully progressive growth over the past half-decade? Maybe.
  16. Jul 31, 2014
    70
    Trouble in Paradise is at once sleek and solid, every track pulsing with a kind of confidence that invites closer listening but is equally pleasant as a collection of mood-heightening jams.
  17. Jul 25, 2014
    70
    On par with that debut? Not quite, but there's still plenty here to lift a pop fan's spirits, or potentially lift one's arse off the couch, if that's where it's currently posted.
  18. Jul 21, 2014
    70
    With songs like this, Trouble in Paradise proves Jackson is still better than many of her contemporaries when it comes to making fizzy electro-pop.
  19. Jul 8, 2014
    70
    Her vintage synth-pop magnificence (see 2009's hit "Bulletproof") has warmed into the sort of electro-disco drama you imagine the Daft Punk robots blasting as they cruise down Highway 1.
  20. Jul 7, 2014
    70
    Even if she doesn't match the heights of Florence, she can rest easy knowing she's made much better records.
  21. Jul 21, 2014
    67
    It’s been five years since those initial encounters, yet, as with all close friendships, the dialogue still flows as comfortably as ever across La Roux’s sophomore LP, Trouble in Paradise.... Still a pop record at the end of the day, the album is not without its share of weak lyrics.
  22. Jul 23, 2014
    65
    For all Jackson's personal struggle and exploration, Paradise feels like a safe record, calibrated for the comfort of an imagined audience, working at its best when it becomes almost invisible--the accessory to the experience and not the experience itself.
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 107 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 91 out of 107
  2. Negative: 7 out of 107
  1. Jul 30, 2014
    8
    La Roux is back, stronger and with more sharper collections brought from 80's Synthpop music.
    While I did not care for the duo's debut mostly
    La Roux is back, stronger and with more sharper collections brought from 80's Synthpop music.
    While I did not care for the duo's debut mostly for it's robotic production, this new record from Ella Jackson feels classy and ageless with songwriting tackling the titel "Trouble In Paradise", which where she depicts the topics of trouble and paradise, vocally and sonically on her newest New wave LP.

    The five year process is a result of a cohesive Pop record, catchy, yet driven on concepts of love reaching from special ones being their paradise to rockier storytelling about a guys way of finding pleasure through prostitutes.
    While lyrics has darker effects at times, as sex being manipulating and controlled, Ella's voice is the beauty on top of heavenly instrumentals. A nostalgic trip, more under influence than La Roux has ever been, still more inspiring than most music out that is trying to be.
    Songs themself are for the most part great at their own, others can stand-out more than others and the closer "The Feeling" may be the only really lacking the feeling compared and suffer from flaws the same as found on their debut. And it might not have the international hit as with the single "Bulletproof" but "Trouble In Paradise" on it's own, has the greatness- the work of a fantastic album.
    Overall, La Roux is out with one of the most enjoyable albums- sexier, warmer, luxurious and just more creative and fun than competitors. If it grows as it should, it will definitely end up being a favorite, and probably better in the category of Synthpop, if we even can count this record in as just that.
    Full Review »
  2. Jul 28, 2014
    7
    A decent collection of 9 good pop songs. Comparable to No Doubt's 'Push And Shove' in it's updated take on 80s synth pop. It doesn't feel likeA decent collection of 9 good pop songs. Comparable to No Doubt's 'Push And Shove' in it's updated take on 80s synth pop. It doesn't feel like it's only 9 tracks, but where it falls slightly flat for me is when she stretches out a feeble idea for 7 minutes. There's is moderate depth here, but she has tried to make it more than what it is. It's good. That's all. Full Review »
  3. Jul 22, 2014
    10
    Euphoric, joyous, vulnerable, sparkling pop that you will never get tired of unless your mind isn't capable of dreaming. Consistent, sonicallyEuphoric, joyous, vulnerable, sparkling pop that you will never get tired of unless your mind isn't capable of dreaming. Consistent, sonically delicious and brilliantly thought out. La Roux is that rare pop artist who is writing great stuff and pushing forward, an artist whose career is well worth following, as she knows exactly where she is going. Full Review »