Written by Samantha Evans
Known as one of the most distinctive and innovative bands of the 2000s, Hot Chip once again creates a dance/indie mash up with their new album, Why Make Sense? Taking the London music scene by force with their 2000 debut Mexico the band creates hypnotic music with pumping techno beats mixed with distorted pianos and acoustic guitars. After three years of releasing records on their own, the band signed with Moshi Moshi records in 2003 and released their debut LP with them Coming on Strong in 2004. Along with recording music, the band has been featured on countless tours around the world along with guest appearances with LCD Soundsystem. They were even featured on a Simpsons episode in 2012. With the resume that these musicians have it’s no wonder they keep producing album upon album.
With the release of Why Make Sense the band explores even more different sounds than normal including disco, 90s R&B and post-punk. The album’s opener, “Huarache Lights” is an energetic dance -song with electric synth beats, high-pitch vocals and booming bass lines. Playing with the 1990s dance beats but more retro, this song creates the heartbeat of the album. “There’s nothing to hold. Am I so truthful or in truth is the youth just getting old?” Following the first song, “Love is the Future” almost takes a play on a Prince funk song from the 1980s. Wonky bass and falsetto vocals boom throughout the tune. “When I am with you, my heart is on the line. Dreaming is binding, stay close to me as we redesign.” “Cry For You” reminds the listener of 1980s video game music with the typical chiptune looping throughout. Not the album’s most powerful song however it’s a lonely love song crying out to a loved one.
“We take a chance, a lifelong tribulation. Break away from human nature. I forget myself, forget my limitations. Be with me, be my conversation.” “Started Right” feels like a song from Saturday Night Fever, something retro and a dance hit infused with funk. Slowing it down with a simple piano, ticking drum beat and occasional twang of the guitar, “White Wine and Fried Chicken” is a heartfelt trip down memory lane of a possible love as unique as that may sound given the song title. Distorted, whining vocals make the listener empathize with the heartache.. Going in the completely opposite direction, “Dark Night” picks up with catchy melodies and tantalizing chants in the background.
Sticking with the catchy up-beat vibe of the album, “Easy to Get” tells a tale of infatuation with synthesizer bass lines and spastic guitar riffs. “Take a look in the mirror. Wipe away your regret. Look for me on the dance floor, playing easy to get.” Sampling Sinnamon’s “I Need You Now,” Hot Chip’s “Need You Now” punches the listener in the face with bitter nostalgia. Almost child-like tunes and echoing vocals reminisce the past. If you want a song that rips through your hearts strings and maybe even makes this reviewer tear up a bit, “So Much Further to Go” is that song. Haunting lyrics and vocals tear through your emotions making this arguably the most powerful song on the record. “Without much further to go my time was ripped from my body unwarned…Like a miracle, a miracle that’s hard to bear. Like a miracle, whose song once filled the air.” After making you cry a bit, Hot Chip brings you back up with their epic finale, “Why Make Sense.” The bang of the drums, clash of the symbols, whir of the synth, the la-di-da vocals, all tie the album together in an orchestrated masterpiece. Why Make Sense? has it’s up and downs but is nothing short of an epic tale of the human experience.
Album Rating: 7/10
Click here to pick up Why Make Sense? (Deluxe Edition) by Hot Chip on iTunes
https://youtu.be/lfH5LmhvQQk
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