Putney’s bedroom boffins may have been critically lauded for their 2006 album The Warning, but with Made In The Dark, Hot Chip might just make the mainstream menu. This third album sees the five-piece lower their cerebral drawbridge and let some serious emotion come galloping out of the gate. Where previously refuge was sought in complexity, here songwriting duo Alexis Taylor and Joe Goddard demonstrate that, when required, they have the courage to write pure and unadorned pop ballads. The title track, a piano-led lament and closer ‘In The Privacy Of Our Love’ are beautifully vulnerable.
However, those who cherish Hot Chip for the joyous physicality of ‘Over And Over’ need not despair. There are plenty of similarly raucous electro kicks to be had here. The feverish, beat spitting, ‘Hold On’ quivers like the onset of rabies, whilst ‘Don’t Dance’ makes a mockery of its title by laying down limb-bewitching rhythms. Never afraid to flaunt some smarts, ‘Bendable Poseable’ summons the spirit of a dance-rock Talking Heads. Throughout, Taylor’s stiff upper lip of a vocal and Goddard’s earthy tones contrast wonderfully.
Indeed, in almost every respect, Made In The Dark is an immaculately poised record, the poptronica super geeks at last striking the perfect balance between head and heart and, in the process, satisfying the soul. In a contemporary music scene awash with identikit indie, steroidal rock and bleating singer-songwriters, Hot Chip provide a life-raft of delightful idiosyncrasy. Cling to them.