Quicksand (La Roux song) explained

Quicksand
Cover:La Roux - Quicksand EP.png
Border:yes
Caption:EP cover
Type:single
Artist:La Roux
Album:La Roux
Recorded:2008
Studio:Elfin (Teddington, London)
Genre:Synth-pop
Length:3:05
Label:Polydor
Producer:
  • Ben Langmaid
  • Elly Jackson
Next Title:In for the Kill
Next Year:2009

"Quicksand" is a song by English synth-pop duo La Roux from their eponymous debut studio album (2009). Written and produced by Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid, the song was released as the album's lead single on 15 December 2008 by Kitsuné.[1] It peaked at number 153 on the UK Singles Chart upon limited release.[2] When re-released on 23 November 2009, the single re-entered the chart at number 129.

Song information

Jackson told The London Paper that the song is about "having an intense moment with someone, when maybe you're watching a film or listening to music, and both of you are yearning for the other one, and it's almost painful to sit next to them."[3]

Critical reception

"Quicksand" was met with critical acclaim. Digital Spy music editor Nick Levine wrote that "[l]ike most of the songs on their debut album, it's a winning combination of pop smarts, stifling romantic obsession and production that mixes the sounds of '82 with the sonic punch of '09."[4] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian commented that "the sparse dynamics and stabbing synthesisers of 'Quicksand' offer a reminder that not every aspect of the 80s has been mined to exhaustion in recent years."[5] Peter Paphides of The Times called the song "superb" and added, "Propelled along by a melody that shares some of its DNA with Prince's 'When Doves Cry', Jackson casts herself as the recipient of an overture from someone already in a relationship."[6]

John Murphy, writing for musicOMH, described the song as "instantly addictive and catchy", while stating that "unlike a lot of electro acts out there, 'Quicksand' has real heart and emotion to it as well—certainly not a case of style over substance."[1] AllMusic's Heather Phares noted that the track "uses a relentlessly tight arrangement and Jackson's frosty soulfulness to give the song's obsession a shot of excitement."[7] Luke Turner of NME referred to "Quicksand" as "liquid-mercury-smooth but pierced by sharp vocals."[8]

Music video

The music video of "Quicksand" was directed by Kinga Burza.[9] It was released on YouTube on 13 January 2009. The video shows Jackson on a tropical island with pineapples and the sun setting. Girls are dancing. Jackson is seen with a parrot on her shoulder, singing. It mostly features Jackson singing with the sun setting behind her.

Track listings

Original release

A1. "Quicksand" (Original) – 3:07

A2. "Quicksand" (autoKratz Drags to Riches Mix) – 4:44

B1. "Quicksand" (Beni's Sinking at 1.56 Mix) – 4:20

B2. "Quicksand" (Chateau Marmont Remix) – 3:34

  1. "Quicksand" – 3:07
  2. "Quicksand" (AutoKratz Drags to Riches Mix) – 4:42
  3. "Quicksand" (Beni's Sinking at 1.56 Mix) – 4:18
  4. "Quicksand" (Chateau Marmont Remix) – 3:32
  5. "Quicksand" (Joe and Will Ask? Remix) – 5:01
  1. "Quicksand" (Standard Version) – 3:05
  1. "Quicksand" (Original Version) – 3:06
  2. "Quicksand" (Mad Decent Remix No. 1) – 5:07
  3. "In for the Kill" (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix) – 5:02

A1. "Quicksand" – 3:08

A2. "Quicksand" (Mad Decent Mix No. 1) – 5:10

A3. "Quicksand" (Instrumental) – 3:08

B1. "In for the Kill" (Skream's Let's Get Ravey Remix) – 5:04

B2. "In for the Kill" (Instrumental) – 4:08

Re-release

  1. "Quicksand" – 3:07
  2. "Quicksand" (Boy 8 Bit Remix) – 5:58
  3. "Quicksand" (Beni's Sinking at 1.56 Mix) – 4:19

A. "Quicksand" - 3:07

  1. "Quicksand" – 3:07
  2. "Quicksand" (Boy 8 Bit Remix) – 5:58
  3. "Quicksand" (Alex Metric Remix) – 6:26
  4. "Quicksand" (Mad Decent Remix No. 1) – 5:12

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of La Roux.[12]

Recording and management

Personnel

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabel
Original release
France15 December 2008Kitsuné[14] [15]
United States14 April 2009[16] [17]
9 June 200912-inch single[18]
United Kingdom2 July 2009Digital singlePolydor[19]
Re-release
United Kingdom22 November 2009Digital EPPolydor[20]
23 November 2009[21] [22]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Murphy . John . La Roux – Quicksand (Kitsune) . . 9 April 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090419090703/http://www.musicomh.com/singles/la-roux_1208.htm . 19 April 2009.
  2. Web site: Balls . David . La Roux 'won't re-release Quicksand single' . . 10 September 2009 . 18 April 2019.
  3. Web site: Quicksand by La Roux . Songfacts . 16 November 2009.
  4. Web site: Levine . Nick . La Roux: 'Quicksand' . Digital Spy . 23 November 2009 . 18 April 2019.
  5. Web site: Petrides . Alexis . Alexis Petridis . La Roux: La Roux . . 26 June 2009 . 17 May 2010.
  6. Web site: Paphides . Peter . Peter Paphides . La Roux: La Roux . . 25 June 2009 . 17 May 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110615064557/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article6578062.ece . 15 June 2011.
  7. Web site: Phares . Heather . La Roux – La Roux – Review . . 18 April 2019.
  8. Web site: Turner . Luke . Album Review: La Roux – 'La Roux' . . 23 June 2009 . 18 April 2019.
  9. Web site: Knight . David . La Roux's Quicksand by Kinga Burza . Promo News . 3 December 2008 . 8 May 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111003040328/http://www.promonews.tv/2008/12/03/la-roux%e2%80%99s-quicksand-by-kinga-burza/ . 3 October 2011.
  10. Web site: La Roux – Quicksand (12", Single) . . 2 August 2011.
  11. Web site: La Roux – Quicksand (CD, Single) . Discogs . 2 August 2011.
  12. . liner notes . . . 2009 . 2703635.
  13. Web site: Chart Log UK – Chart Coverage and Record Sales 2009. Zobbel. 11 March 2010.
  14. Web site: Quicksand : La Roux . fr . . 2 August 2011.
  15. Web site: Kitsuné: Quicksand – EP de La Roux . fr . iTunes Store (France) . 7 February 2010.
  16. Web site: La Roux : Releases : Quicksand EP . . 8 February 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100114043631/http://www.interscope.com/artist/releases/detail.aspx?pid=2135&aid=1129 . 14 January 2010.
  17. Web site: Quicksand – EP by La Roux . iTunes Store (US) . 7 February 2010.
  18. Web site: Quicksand/In for the Kill [Vinyl]

    La Roux ]

    . Amazon (US) . 8 February 2010.
  19. Web site: Quicksand (Standard Version) – Single by La Roux . iTunes Store (UK) . 7 February 2010.
  20. Web site: Quicksand – EP by La Roux . iTunes Store (UK) . 7 February 2010.
  21. Web site: Quicksand: La Roux . Amazon (UK) . 13 February 2010.
  22. Web site: La Roux – Quicksand (7", Ltd, S/Sided, Etch) . Discogs . 8 February 2010.

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