La Roux, the acclaimed English synth-pop artist, is set to release her highly anticipated fourth album, titled *Old Flames*, on 6 November 2023. The new record will arrive just a week after she finishes her stint as the opening act for Hilary Duff’s Lucky Me Tour, marking a significant return to live performance for the star, who has been largely absent from the touring scene for the past decade.
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The artist, whose real name is Elly Jackson, has described this album as intensely personal, encapsulating the complexities of a 17-year relationship, the struggles of overcoming addiction, and themes surrounding self-love and personal growth. Reflecting on her journey, La Roux expressed her eagerness to reconnect with fans after her long hiatus from performing. “I’ve been readying myself and working myself to this point for a long time,” she noted. “It feels really nice. It’s going to be great to be back on the road, performing songs and just showing people what I’ve been doing.”
La Roux initially gained fame in the late 2000s with hits such as “Bulletproof” and “In for the Kill,” produced as part of a duo alongside Ben Langmaid, who departed in 2012. *Old Flames* will be the first album to follow 2020’s *Supervision*, and La Roux took creative control, having composed, written, produced, and arranged the album primarily on her own. She emphasised the importance of female recognition in the industry: “It’s hard to get recognition as a producer, arranger and composer,” she stated, highlighting the challenges women face in the music business.
The album is a candid exploration of La Roux’s life experiences, including her recovery from addiction. Discussing her struggles, she explains how a reliance on substances such as marijuana became intertwined with her music career, to the point where she did not perceive it as problematic. “I think it’s just taken time for me to see it as a problem,” she reflected. The track “Lose Myself” will capture the essence of this battle, documenting her awakening to the need for change and self-care.
In discussing her musical journey, La Roux acknowledges how difficult it has been to reconcile her artistic identity with the public persona she constructed. “I’ve always been quite hidden as an artist behind the character of La Roux,” she said. In a world that increasingly demands openness and vulnerability from artists, she feels the pressure to engage with fans more than ever before. This evolution in artist-fan relationships has presented her with fresh challenges, but she remains determined to navigate them on her own terms.
As La Roux prepares to support Hilary Duff on her tour, she expressed excitement and enthusiasm for stepping onto larger stages and performing live once again. “It’s been so long since I’ve been on tour,” she remarked, looking forward to the adventure that awaits. The opportunity to introduce new material to audiences will be a key highlight for her, and she is eager to share her music with a new generation of fans.
Reflecting on her past, La Roux admits that she has not always engaged with contemporary artists of her age group. Instead, she found herself drawn to the music of earlier decades, particularly from the 1980s. This retrospective focus shaped her artistic identity and the sound she now embodies. “I’ve always described La Roux as things I miss from the past that I want to bring back into the future,” she explained, indicating that her influences remain a staple in her evolving narrative as an artist.
Looking ahead, La Roux is mindful of how her relationship with older hits like “Bulletproof” has changed over the years. Initially dismissive of the song that brought her immense fame, she has grown grateful for its impact and the audience connection it fosters during live performances. “I know it’s what people are waiting for,” she said, acknowledging the significance of engaging with fans’ expectations while simultaneously striving for artistic authenticity.
As she embarks on this new chapter with *Old Flames*, La Roux embodies the duality of an artist who is both reflective of her past and excited for what lies ahead. With a new album featuring deeply personal themes and a return to the stage, she is ready to reconnect with her audience and share her story.