HOT CHIP play Sound Academy July 15. See listing. Rating: NNNN
In earlier work, Hot Chip seemed like a dance-pop band making clever jokes about dance and pop. As they matured, it’s more as if they’re writing love songs to the genre, albeit from a somewhat dejected standpoint. This might not seem like the best motivation, but LCD Soundsystem also made genuinely moving music about music, so maybe this is just what life in the 21st century is like. Of course, it also helps that Hot Chip have truly impressive skills in the pop songwriting department, and that they get better at executing their vision with each album.
They’re still playful and cheeky, but they’re writing more explicitly about life and love, and that earnestness suits them far better than anyone could have predicted back in 2004. Being authentically emotional also serves to reframe their earlier material, revealing that there’ve always been some truly moving sentiments hidden under the sonic reference points and clever wordplay.
Top track: How Do You Do?
