This is a tricky one. On one hand, I really want to like Foxes, the British pop duo led by doe-eyed Louisa Rose Allen, who is yet another example of a guitar-strumming crooner gone electronic. I appreciate the effort here, for with their most recent EP Warrior, Foxes is clearly trying to serve up pop music with substance. And to a certain degree, they succeed in their endeavor. The title track, “Warrior,” is a brooding yet inspirational number that is sure to end up the backing track to a motivational montage in a show on The CW, or on many a workout play list for the more indie-minded joggers. However, for all the promise “Warrior” offers regarding the overall sound of the group, the rest of the EP fails to deliver on a level anywhere near that of the potential hit.
All the ingredients seem to be there. Allen has the vocal power of someone who could pack theaters, but it ends up being wasted in over-repetitive songs that never quite take off. The music offered by Foxes kind of reminds me of that plastic toy food that we all played with when we were little — from far away it seems completely appetizing, but once you try to take a bite of it you realize it is just hollow plastic dressed up for show. For example, “White Coats,” a number with the potential of being as catchy as “Warrior,” is completely undermined by an aggravating music video consisting of shots of Allen looking out of a window in angst and bouncing a ball down some steps.
By releasing “Warrior” as their premier single off the EP, Foxes clearly knows their strength lies. And considering the recent trend towards pop-belting electronic divas, if they can find the source of inspiration behind the title track and tap into it once again, maybe the duo has a fighting chance.