Whether we like it or not, synth‑pop is set to be the sound of 2009, thanks to new artists such as Little Boots and Lady GaGa and the return of creaky electropop icons Depeche Mode and Ultravox.

Elly Jackson of the strongly tipped La Roux — “the red-haired one” — is a newcomer who was barely of the Eighties. But somehow the 21-year-old has become indiscriminately immersed in its music, from Yazoo and Tears for Fears to Blancmange and Heaven 17.

With her wavy red quiff and androgynous look, the Brixton singer certainly evoked her favourite musical era. Similarly, the keyboard player wore a Miami Vice-style jacket and a daftly studious expression.

Thankfully, the songs — just six of them in 25 minutes — were well crafted, offering an intelligent update on electropop rather than mere commercial repackaging. And it was all mercifully free of irony, perhaps because Jackson is too young to remember the era’s absurdities.

New single In For the Kill had shades of early Eurythmics, while Jackson’s surprisingly powerful vocal added a layer of mystique to the squiggly synths. That moodiness disappeared between songs, though, when Jackson seemed far too excitable for someone who aspires to be a weird pop presence. Although she did admit to being “quite drunk”.

There were changes in pace, but La Roux were at their best during the upbeat tunes. I’m Not Your Toy felt like a refreshing alternative to most chart fodder, with its lyric “this isn’t another girl meets boy”, and Jackson was capable of sweeping you up into her off-kilter anthems.
She does need to write a few more of them. “I’m really, really sorry but we’ve only got one more tune,” she owned up, before racing through the urgent, Yazoo-like Bulletproof.

It was so brief, this really wasn’t a show designed to match the hype surrounding La Roux. But Jackson proved she’s more than an interesting haircut and these songs should stand out in the months ahead.