Reviewed by Amanda Simms
Ladytron return with their trademark, ethereal electronica on Gravity the Seducer, showcasing the dichotomy of what they do best: flittering from catchy sharp electro to layered and dreamy. Simple and chilled, ‘White Elephant’ is a strange choice for an opener that would perhaps put non-Ladyton listeners off as it doesn’t signify anything special is going on here. Next, however, is the album’s highlight ‘Mirage’, flowing chord progressions and melodies that won’t want to leave your head. There are two instrumental filler tracks, ‘Ritual’ and ‘Transparent Days’, that let the album down, as does ‘Moon Palace’. I’m all for when Mira takes over as lead singer (‘Deep Blue’, for example) but this song feels a tad ridiculous and contrived. The latter half of the album is where everything slows down, gets more layered and complex – and it starts to really sparkle. ‘Ambulances’ and ‘Ninety Degrees’ stand out here, but then it goes to end on a massively weak note with a watered down rehash of ‘Ace of Hz’ (‘Aces High’). Even though there are some excellent songs on Gravity the Seducer, it can’t be claimed as their best, it seems to lack a certain je ne sais quoi that made other albums so glorious.
