The Needle Drop

trouble in paradise

Child Abuse - "Straight Out Of Compton"

New TracksContributor Jones2 Comments

Stream / Download: Child Abuse - "Straight Out Of Compton" As is the case with most avant-garde, noisy, progressive rock bands, you either get it or you don’t. Child Abuse leaves many who stumble upon the name wondering what on earth they could sound like, and I'm sure most check out one song and stop right there. Often, the bizarre, brutal, start-stop thrashing sound this band puts out leaves me sweating, a little scared.

As the name would suggest, Child Abuse is violent, almost to the point of being taboo. This violence is so unlike what one would find in metal or punk--the expected, almost controlled violence of a misunderstood teenager. Child Abuse’s sound is the worldly violence which surrounds us, making it like the soundtrack to Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange, a story of delinquents, psychos and terror-mongers. Trouble in Paradise is tighter than previous albums, as well as a little more thought-out, but the energy and horror is still as in-your-face as before. With gnarled, growling vocals, peculiar rhythms and harsh but almost futuristic melodies; the album causes intentional emotional discomfort, and if that’s your thing, you’re in for a treat.

Try a track from the album above, and enjoy!

- Fin Worrall

La Roux - "Let Me Down Gently"

New TracksjeremyComment

It's hard to believe that it's been five years since Elly Jackon's La Roux released its self-titled debut. It's been a long time since their great single "Bulletproof" had a momentary reign on the airwaves. Jackson has remained nearly silent in the years since, riding the debut for as long as possible, Jackson eventually returned to write the follow-up, which is finally coming out this year. It's called Trouble in Paradise, and the first track from it has dropped in the form of "Let Me Down Gently."

The song, a nearly 6-minute synth popper, achieves a high early on and never relinquishes it. This, of course, makes its elongated running time feel a little superfluous, but the electric guitar (or sax? I can't even tell) that surfaces in the latter half is a nice gift to those who have held on for so long. As has always been the case, Jackson's wonderful voice holds it together, as she sings lines like "You're not my life, but I want you in it" with conviction. It might not be as a nearly perfect as "Bulletproof" or even "In for the Kill," but it does make me excited to hear how La Roux have changed their sound up on this forthcoming album.

Trouble in Paradise is out July 7 via Polydor.