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Feb 14, 2019 Ladytron By Matt the Raven

Ladytron appeared on the music scene in 2001 with their debut album 604 that, at the time, featured a contemporary synth pop sound with a decidedly European slickness. Not much has changed in the 17 years since, but if you do something well, why not keep doing it?

Ladytron continues in the vein that made the band successful—a seductive and pulsating blend of analogue synth pop and melodic indie rock that sounds as if The Human League and The Sisters of Mercy got together for a night on the town. Only this time out, the retro futurist sounding tracks are constructed with a distinctly somber tone.

The songs are densely packed with buzzy synth frameworks that act as a base to launch swirling atmospherical textures that form like storm clouds around the cool bass grooves lurking underneath. Where the mechanical beats lack melody, the impassive vocals provide it, making good on the band’s name.

Even though the tense tracks can occasionally sound a bit muddled, they never sound contrived and it’s not all dark gloomy either as the band’s art of crafting catchy melodies is still intact. Tracks such as “Horrorscope,” “Deadzone,” and “You’ve Changed” feature glossy and rhythmic electronic beats that are almost danceable in a cool, industrial sort of way, with whirring guitars or echoing keyboards streaking through and delivering some zing.

Longtime fans will not be disappointed with anything on Ladytron, and anyone who likes slickly produced alternative synth pop with waves of industrial and danceable beats will find a lot to like about it. (www.pledgemusic.com/projects/ladytron)

Author rating: 6.5/10