Hot Chip lied to me.
From the singles of previous albums, I came into this review expecting to talk about how their electronic-dance shtick was bound to have you piling onto the dance floor in a matter of moments, throwing limbs around like the possessed to the tune of irreverent beeping and jangling. 'One Life Stand' isn't this at all.
Sure the opening track, 'Thieves in the Night,' lulls you into that false sense of familiarity. Sounding like it was surgically removed from the eighties, in parts it could have easily have been commissioned by Nintendo to soundtrack a new Super Mario game. Same, same, but different.
And then, the realisation.
It was hinted at in the second track, 'Hand Me Down Your Love': the kind of aggressive piano number Cold War Kids wish they'd written when they were flavour of the month. Further suggestions came soon after; the steel drums and irresistible funk of the album's title track consolidating the notion that Hot Chip have gone exploring all four corners of the earth for inspirations.
This drastic spreading of direction may be of worry to some. Don't fret. This is working. In fact, this is working so well, it's frightening. Sure, 'Slush', with it's background of “huhmuhnahhuhmuhnah”, renders the track almost a parody. But when this is sandwiched between 'Brothers' - a nostalgic, atmospheric number which can't help but make you smile in memory - and 'Alley Cats' - a song 'Bloc Party' could have made if they had decided that they actually gave a shit after two albums, combining taut guitar, permeable vocals and whimsical, almost heartbreaking lyrics – it really doesn't matter. In fact, it fits.
This is a pop album, make no mistake. As such, it's a risk; they're never going to have the appeal for a mass audience, and if this stank it could've seen them alienate the majority of their original fanbase. But it doesn't stink; in fact, the quintet come up smelling of some of the finest roses produced. The album's a journey, from fun-filled to doom-mongering, from mournful to wistful, from predatory to cornered.
I'll finish by giving you a tip; patience is a virtue. After the first spin, I wasn't sure. The second made me think there was something in this. The third and beyond, I'm pretty sure we have an early contender for album of the year. And you know what? I'm pretty sure you'd agree.
Post new comment