Planet Notion - Electronica/Dance

Do you enjoy oxymorons? For those without an unabridged Oxford Dictionary in front of them or who are devoid of an English Language GCSE, an oxymoron is a description or comparison using opposites. If you prefer a more pompous (read ‘accurate’) explanation, our handy online resource, dictionary.com, tells us it’s: ‘a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in “cruel kindness” or “to make haste slowly.”’ Hot Chip have always been the musical equivalent of an oxymoron. Previous long-players, ‘Coming On Strong’ and ‘The Warning’ were loaded with a potent combination of laid back yet pulsating beats. Seemingly drawing from soul, indie rock, funk and any other source of subtle dancefloor beckoning, they crafted 4am soothers rather than 1am bangers. For this we were all grateful, and often surprised.

It seems that their third opus, ‘Made In The Dark,’ is aware of this background yet conscious of trying to push forwards. The energy rippling throughout opener, ‘Out At The Pictures,’ from the languishing keyboard vamp that ends up in competition with a racing pulse rate, to its pummelling repetitive chorus, is a little disarming. It’s also undeniably exciting. The basic, stripped down instrumentation of yore has been augmented with a heap of simple melodies and elemental noises.

Upon arriving at current single, ‘Shake A Fist,’ not only does that irresistible monotone geek electronica shine through as usual; we get a hilarious breakdown incorporating Todd Rundgren’s announcement of a new game: ‘Sounds Of The Studio.’ Here they proceed to throw the kitchen sink, hand dryer, washing machine and everything else into the following three minutes so as not to disappoint anyone with headphones. The rules on this record seem to be that there are no holds barred. Don’t for a second think we’re facing a riotous mess, though. The Jenga construction, overlapping textures and functional vocals are all present and correct, providing a safe zone for Hot Chip aficionados. You know that their relatively inoffensive assault on your feet is going to lead to an unavoidable epidemic of toe tapping. It’ll also cause a mental feedback loop in your brain, causing you to inadvertently start humming those repetitious hooks.

Now consider this. Does this sound like it belongs in 2008? Will this knock you flying off your feet, leaving you panting in a corner? Are you going to be proclaiming this to be the record of the year come Christmas? Initially, it must be said, ‘Made In The Dark’ excites and intrigues just as much as it settles your synapses into recline mode. For those of you still convinced that ‘Over And Over’ is the full extent of Hot Chip’s range, we draw your attention to ‘Touch Too Much,’ the title track, ‘Whistle For Will’ and I’n The Privacy Of Our Love.’ Eschewing the usual blend of bleeps, squelches and rhythmic patterns, these are organic, piano-led soul songs. It’s within these stripped down, melancholy tunes you explore the very roots of what Hot Chip do. It’s here that crystal clear nuances are all important, and lead even a casual listener to conclude that this is where these boffins’ hearts actually lay: hence their evocative motifs in their electronic music. It’s enlightening in a way that it wasn’t on previous efforts, and it’s possibly an indication of future endeavours.

Unfortunately it has to be said that what Hot Chip offer here is neither the spectral shock of The Knife nor the emphatic genre-sniping of LCD Soundsystem. Instead they seem to be simultaneously pushing themselves as hard as possible while content to remain more or less the same as before. This is best expressed in ‘Don’t Dance,’ or the undeniably catchy, but overwhelmingly sedate, ‘Ready For The Floor.’ Another oxymoron. But what they lack in true forward thinking, Hot Chip make up for in pure escapism. A slow-burning electronic love song about wrestling. An ascending, warbling synth slalom with deadpan, digi-vocals on Bendable, Posable. It’s not groundbreaking but it is a vital injection of fun. In the end, which is more important?

The drawback is this. While we at Notion don’t expect artists to push on leaps and bounds in a couple of years, it’s still tricky to really compliment this as a worthy third album when Hot Chip’s contemporaries, such as James Murphy, are being heralded as boundary-defying, ‘Best of the Year’ rated artists. Hot Chip have performed admirably and extensively within their own framework and so they should - limitations are best explored before moving on. There are swathes of layers to paddle in and that in itself will provide a highly entertaining and lengthy listen, at least. However, where ‘The Warning’ was a defibrillator jolt to the waning indie-dance heart, this is a mild stimulant while in the grip of a certain silver sound. It’ll course through veins and leave that pop buzz thudding in your head for a long time. It might even cause a few flashbacks in a few years time. But it won’t be a brand new experience, and that might leave a bitter taste in the mouth.

Fiercely laid back. Passionately soothing. Pushing familiar boundaries. ‘Made In The Dark’ is all this and more, infuriating as much as it invigorates. The stealth impact made here is plain to see – like an invisible infection with highly visible symptoms – and the pandemic is on its way. Whether it’s advanced enough to take permanent hold is another consideration. While willing to say no, it’s fair to say that this writer, at least, is casually addicted. BB