Considering the instant success of La Roux’s self-titled debut album, any follow-up would seem intimidating to most, especially after the departure of her band mate Ben Langmaid. But singer Elly Jackson found a way to power through.

After six years of hiatus, Jackson released “Trouble in Paradise,” a calypso-esque summer album with the same bright ‘80s pop feel as her first. The album dances on the edge of disco and electronic, making hip gyrating almost impossible to avoid.

Tracks like “Tropical Chancer” and “Sexotheque” give listeners the feeling of dancing on a Jamaican beach with a sultry stranger, as any good summer song should. The album manages to take fans to another place, and Jackson is able to paint a picture with her music to vividly capture a moment. Jackson’s lyrics are not all passionate and sensual, though; she also expresses torn emotions, pleading in “Cruel Sexuality,” “Oh, you make me happy in my everyday life/Why must you keep me in your prison at night?”

Despite each song sounding wildly similar to each other, the album does greatly vary in sound to its pop music counterparts. Introducing much more of a nostalgic, disco element into La Roux’s sound, “Paradise” proves to be more than the bubblegum pop currently dominating the radio.

After Langmaid’s departure from the project, Jackson’s bold continuation of La Roux proves to be no mistake. “Trouble in Paradise” stands out among the rest in its genre, a true work of art for Jackson. This album is by no means a purchase listeners will regret.

_MOVE gives “Trouble in Paradise” 4 out of 5 stars._