Irish pop duo ROOUE release their delectable debut EP Juxtaposition today, 24th May, 2024, along with their lush focus track ‘Serendipity’. Juxtaposition is a coming-of-age for ROOUE, following how twins Ro and Lulu have come into their own as they moved from their home in Dublin to start new lives in London in the summer of 2022.
Rich harmonies underpin ‘Serendipity’ as it builds to a bright electro pop zenith. “‘Serendipity’ is about the connection we both have and how lucky we feel to have music to share with each other,” ROOUE explain. “The song is recorded to show this, as there isn’t a moment in it that either of us sings alone. We have overdubbed and tracked on top of each other to showcase our vocal similarities and differences.”
Don’t let Ro and Lulu’s physical similarity fool you. They are vastly different people, with Ro’s cynicism complementing Lulu’s tendency to be a hopeless romantic—hence the EP’s title, Juxtaposition. Splitting time between Dublin and London, Ro and Lulu grew up in a home warmed by music and creative expression. With a music psychotherapist mother and “jazz nerd” father, their childhood was soundtracked by myriad genres, including soul, jazz, traditional Irish music, and electronic experimental pop.
On Juxtaposition, ROOUE worked with producer and frequent collaborator Liam Geddes to craft songs that pay homage to their colourful musical influences while exploring past relationships, friend breakups, and sexual empowerment through the lens of Ro and Lulu’s own contrasting personalities. The singles released from Juxtaposition thus far have racked up over 4.8 million radio impacts in the Republic of Ireland, leaving listeners in no doubt of why the Irish Independent named ROOUE ones to watch in 2024.
Track List
Bible
Overdraft
Highest Low (ft. Pastiche)
Serendipity
So Bad
You Problem
Slán
uxtaposition opens with sexual liberation in the form of ‘Bible’, a gritty, sultry track reminiscent of Billie Eilish. ROOUE say of ‘Bible’: “We went to an all girls Catholic school where sex was a taboo subject. We spent years feeling like speaking openly about sex was embarrassing and not ‘ladylike’. We wanted to write a song with no apologies that made us feel empowered.” The following song, ‘Overdraft’, was written when one of the twins came to terms with the fact that her past relationship was emotionally abusive. ROOUE were compelled to reflect and share their experiences through their music in order to create a safe place for anyone who finds themselves in similar circumstances. Jennifer Zamparelli selected ‘Overdraft’ as her RTÉ 2fm Track of the Week, and music tastemakers GoldenPlec dubbed ‘Overdraft’ ROOUE’s “best release to date.”
Propelled forward by a heady drum and bass beat, ‘Highest Low’ was written with fellow rising Irish pop artist Pastiche, who is also ROOUE’s London roommate and best friend. This song reminisces about their combined struggles they’ve had over the last two years and the escapism they sought by going out and having fun despite pain continuing behind closed doors. The theme of Juxtaposition hits home as they sing about “searching for a high in a time when everything feels so low and dark.”
The twins give a wry middle finger to society’s idea of perfection with the next song, ‘So Bad’. Starting from a place of self-consciousness, the pair embrace a newfound confidence as the pulsating beat grows beneath them: “Supermodels hate me / Cuz I would never change me.” And that self-assurance is well-earned, as ‘So Bad’ rocketed up to no. 5 on the Irish Radio Breakers Chart. As the EP comes to a close, ‘You Problem’ looks back at the contentious end of a friendship. Bursting with righteous anger and irresistible hooks, ROOUE were inspired to write the song when a close friendship ended because a mate’s boyfriend hit on one of them. ‘You Problem’ was selected as Roz and Emma’s RTÉ 2fm Track of the Week and peaked at no. 6 on the Irish Radio Breakers Chart.
‘Slán’ ends Juxtaposition on a nostalgic note, weaving voice messages into an ethereal soundscape. Only by looking back can ROOUE accept just how far they’ve come.
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Photo credit – Izzy Elliott