Following the recent run of singles that began late in 2025, Ladytron’s eighth studio album was quickly becoming one of our most anticipated releases of the new year (We’re still absolutely enamored with “I Believe in You” released last September) and we went so far as to type this out during one of our initial runs through it: “Let it be know that as of right now, February 6th, 2026 (2.6.26), Ladytron’s latest is our absolute favorite” And honestly, listening through it again after some time away while gearing up to finish our notes, thoughts and ultimately this review we’re not finding much to contradict that statement still.
With their latest, Paradises, the now trio of Helen Marnie, Mira Aroyo, and Daniel Hunt have constructed a record taking listeners back to that huge “old school” Ladytron sound comprised of broad, new soundscapes and bright atmospheres with lead single “I Believe in You” firmly confirming that fact as the song escalates into an instant synthetic classic from the band.
“In Blood” is majestic and mighty with a lush ’80’s kind of way about it in the way that Depeche Mode did in their earliest days while “Kingdom Undersea” captures the Factory/Happy Mondays era and also acts as a sonic thruway for more Factory-inspired bits of electric modern Electro in the form of “I See Red” which is a banger.
“Death In London” comes out strong with those sexy saxophone lines straight out of some early Duran Duran or Tina Turner jams with “Secret Dreams Of Thieves” glistening, glowing and moving all at once across a track that’s very much a “dance like no one is watching” affair spearheaded by Aroyo’s distinctive voice. Another dancefloor-ready track, “Sing” steadily pulsates to life and emanates a vibrant, almost ethereal feel before “Free, Free” sashays into existence with a more subtle, but still bouncy, number.
Paradises is easily an album of stand outs so we don’t want to pick favorites but if we had to, beyond the lead single, then “Metaphysica” would be it with airs of “All She Wants Is” and Daft Punk dripping from its’ hypnotic world. Then there’s “Caught in the Blink of an Eye” which is another magical mover paired nicely with the spacious “Evergreen” and the fanciful play on words with the way Marnie enunciates the song title. Deeper within, “We Wrote Our Names in the Dust” is another dense Electronica masterclass and then Aroyo headlines the rousing “Solid Light” that leads into the dense surreal sonic surroundings erected on closer “For a Life in London”.
Paradises releases on Nettwerk on March 20th and you can find your copy to cherish, have and to hold by heading here. For more from Ladytron, including upcoming live shows, head to the socials across the interwebs found by clicking here, here or here.