Ladyhawke: 'Anxiety' - Album review

Ladyhawke's self-titled debut was something of a rare beast by today's standards. Rather than releasing it off the back of months of hype and half-baked social media exercises she, much like herself, put it out on the quiet and allowed the music to do the talking. The result a year after its release was a gold-selling album and heaps of acclaim; so you can imagine our concern when Pippa Brown announced she would be changing tack for her second outing.

Fortunately, the differences on Anxiety are subtle but enough to show growth. She's once again hired Pascal Gabriel, who produced the bulk of her last LP, but where it relied on twinkly synths and '80s pastel-coloured choruses, here you'll instead find fuzzy guitar sections, dirty bass and even a touch of '60s psychedelia. The latter is felt strongest on lead single 'Black White & Blue' and title track 'Anxiety', both containing kaleidoscopic melodies and a retro-modern feel.

There's still plenty of pop to be found, and her ear for an infectious chorus remains stronger than ever. 'Blue Eyes' is built around a simple but ludicrously addictive hook of "nah-nah's" and includes a wickedly seductive guitar solo, current single 'Sunday Drive' sounds like a lost Blondie classic, and the grandiose 'Cellophane' proves that she can nail a ballad despite her apprehension towards them.

Her insecurities, as the title suggests, is a subject that dominates the album's ten tracks. It's a topic we're generally on board with, but its heavy-handed delivery on 'Vaccine' and 'Vanity' will leave you desperate to shake her out of it. Elsewhere, Ladyhawke may be wracked with self-doubt, but from this solid collection the one thing she can remain confident about is her ability to produce brilliant pop music.

Tracks to download: 'Blue Eyes', 'Cellophane', 'Sunday Drive', 'Anxiety'
If you like this, you'll like: Goldfrapp, Niki & The Dove, Dragonette

Watch the music video for 'Sunday Drive' below: