User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
Trouble in Paradise Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 107 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release for the British synthpop artist Elly Jackson (Ben Langmaid left the band during the recording of the album) was co-produced with Ian Sherwin.
Buy Now
Buy on
  • Record Label: Interscope
  • Genre(s): Pop, Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, New Wave/Post-Punk Revival, Left-Field Pop
  • More Details and Credits »

Top Track

Sexotheque
He wants to know What it feels like To mess around, mess around She wants to know What it feels like To settle down, settle down He's got the money... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 28
  2. Negative: 0 out of 28
  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 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Jul 21, 2014
    50
    When Trouble in Paradise loses its way, it's because Jackson has traded in her frigid allure and commanding bellicosity for frailty and soft-heartedness, sentiments she doesn't deliver with any sort of sincerity.

See all 28 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. 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. Expand
  2. Oct 25, 2015
    10
    10/10 - "At only nine tracks long, but with every one of them worthy of single status, it displays, as pop albums go, both rare economy and10/10 - "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" Expand
  3. Sep 10, 2016
    10
    This is an album I can listen on repeat and then repeat again. La Roux's second album is stronger, euphoric and with no restraints. BringingThis is an album I can listen on repeat and then repeat again. La Roux's second album is stronger, euphoric and with no restraints. Bringing back some 80's beats, this is a sparkling-shiny pop album. Ella left her robotic voice for something more human and touching, exploring pleasures and everything else. Expand
  4. Jul 23, 2014
    8
    "Trouble in Paradise" is the best synthie-pop record of the year so far. Ellie´s recent performance and songwriting are complementing the"Trouble in Paradise" is the best synthie-pop record of the year so far. Ellie´s recent performance and songwriting are complementing the 80s-soundconsummately, thus creating a magical mixture. Expand
  5. 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.
    Collapse
  6. Jul 10, 2015
    8
    This album was a surprise as it was such a departure to La Roux's original dance sound. The album is filled with island-themed musical numbersThis album was a surprise as it was such a departure to La Roux's original dance sound. The album is filled with island-themed musical numbers and lush beats. Its a wonder it didn't fair better on the charts. Expand
  7. Aug 9, 2014
    4
    After the refreshingly simple and sharp Yazoo-like debut, this new release is a real disappointment. Very shop-worn song structure and chordAfter the refreshingly simple and sharp Yazoo-like debut, this new release is a real disappointment. Very shop-worn song structure and chord arrangements. The melodies are too familiar for comfort. Pleasant enough but a lot of it could be Bananarama. Expand

See all 14 User Reviews