Electropop heroes Hot Chip are making a confident return to the music scene with new track “Huarache Lights” and inititally the late night house synths seem to be suggesting a slightly more conventional track than the quirky math-rock-esque material they normally tend towards. However, this is soon accompanied by Hot Chip’s usual pitch-bending chords, harmonies of yelping vocals and Flat Eric style honking which all comes together in a blazing return to form. They are also joined by a sassy MC who wouldn’t seem out of place on a Basement Jaxx track along with Daft Punk robotic backing and as a statement of intent, it’s both a welcome interpretation of Hot Chip’s usual sound and an interesting new direction too.
2012’s “In Our Heads” gave us the belting “Night and Day” and whilst “Huarache Nights” isn’t quite up to those heady heights, it’s still a clear mark of quality for the band’s upcoming sixth studio album “Why Make Sense”. I was initially disappointed by the accompanying video (it not being a disturbing Peter Serafinowicz piece) but upon reading up on it and finding that it was a painstaking one-take project directed by Andy Knowles and based around a light installation by an artist called Robert Bell, I was slightly mollified. Hot Chip are known for their visuals almost as much as their music, so I’ll hold out hope for more memorable videos and singles to come from the album.
“Why Make Sense” is released on May 18th on Domino Records. Hot Chip are playing a number of live dates across the year including the 6 Music festival and Green Man. For more information, go to http://www.hotchip.co.uk/
