Quicksand (La Roux song)

"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.

"Quicksand"
EP cover
Single by La Roux
from the album La Roux
Released15 December 2008 (2008-12-15)
Recorded2008
StudioElfin (Teddington, London)
GenreSynth-pop
Length3:05
LabelPolydor
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Ben Langmaid
  • Elly Jackson
La Roux singles chronology
"Quicksand"
(2008)		 "In for the Kill"
(2009)
Alternative cover
Re-release cover
Music video
"Quicksand" on YouTube

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

Re-release

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of La Roux.[19]

Recording and management
  • Recorded at Elfin Studios (Teddington, London)
  • Mixed at Mr Dan's (London)
  • Published by Big Life Music Ltd.

Personnel

Charts
Chart (2009) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[20] 19
UK Singles (OCC)[21] 129

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Original release
France 15 December 2008
Kitsuné [10][11]
United States 14 April 2009
  • EP
  • digital EP
[13][14]
9 June 2009 12-inch single [22]
United Kingdom 2 July 2009 Digital single Polydor [12]
Re-release
United Kingdom 22 November 2009 Digital EP Polydor [18]
23 November 2009
[23][17]

References
  1. Murphy, John. "La Roux – Quicksand (Kitsune)". musicOMH. Archived from the original on 19 April 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
  2. Balls, David (10 September 2009). "La Roux 'won't re-release Quicksand single'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  3. "Quicksand by La Roux". Songfacts. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  4. Levine, Nick (23 November 2009). "La Roux: 'Quicksand'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  5. Petrides, Alexis (26 June 2009). "La Roux: La Roux". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  6. Paphides, Peter (25 June 2009). "La Roux: La Roux". The Times. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  7. Phares, Heather. "La Roux – La Roux – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  8. Turner, Luke (23 June 2009). "Album Review: La Roux – 'La Roux'". NME. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  9. Knight, David (3 December 2008). "La Roux's Quicksand by Kinga Burza". Promo News. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
  10. "Quicksand : La Roux" (in French). Fnac. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  11. "Kitsuné: Quicksand – EP de La Roux" (in French). iTunes Store (France). Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  12. "Quicksand (Standard Version) – Single by La Roux". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  13. "La Roux : Releases : Quicksand EP". Interscope Records. Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  14. "Quicksand – EP by La Roux". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  15. "La Roux – Quicksand (12", Single)". Discogs. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  16. "La Roux – Quicksand (CD, Single)". Discogs. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  17. "La Roux – Quicksand (7", Ltd, S/Sided, Etch)". Discogs. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  18. "Quicksand – EP by La Roux". iTunes Store (UK). Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  19. La Roux (liner notes). La Roux. Polydor Records. 2009. 2703635.CS1 maint: others (link)
  20. "Ultratop.be – La Roux – Quicksand" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  21. "Chart Log UK – Chart Coverage and Record Sales 2009". Zobbel. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
  22. "Quicksand/In for the Kill [Vinyl]: La Roux". Amazon (US). Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  23. "Quicksand: La Roux". Amazon (UK). Retrieved 13 February 2010.
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