Hot Chip - One Life Stand
Astralwerks
Words: Kathryn Freund
“Over and over and over and over and over/Like a monkey with a miniature cymbal/The joy of repetition really is in you.” If one were to define an all-encompassing mantra for the great minds behind Hot Chip, I’m pretty sure I can’t say it better than they can themselves. (If you’ve ever listened to a Hot Chip song, then you know what I mean.) Over the years, British electro dance-pop quintet Hot Chip have produced some of the most groovable, head nodding, toe tapping, dancing-in-your-chair-at-work songs of all time. From The Warning’s “Over and Over” to Made in the Dark’s “Ready for the Floor,” Hot Chip has proved again and again that they are a pulsing, bass pumping force to be reckoned with. Still, although their last two albums have produced a host of head bopping singles including “Boy From School,” “Colours,” “Shake a Fist,” and “One Pure Thought,” both The Warning and Made in the Dark lacked cohesiveness.
Never ceasing to surprise us with their plethora of fresh ideas, though, Hot Chip have grown into their fourth studio album One Life Stand its release coming this past month. Whereas their past albums have left us wanting just a little more, One Life Stand is a more refined, but still powerhook-filled record. In terms of substance, the album definitely focuses on themes of romance and reflection – atypical of the band’s past tongue-in-cheek content. Although some disgruntled fans may dub it Hot Chip’s clichéd “grown-up” album, One Life Stand still nods to their power-single past while highlighting a more quirkily sophisticated side (which they have had all along).
Although old-school Hot Chip fans may be hesitant upon first listen, One Life Stand is arguably Hot Chip’s best album thus far. Thoughtful and refined, the album’s clear sense of focus flows throughout. Beginning with “Thieves in the Night” Hot Chip makes it clear this is a wearing-my-heart-on-my-sleeve kind of album with lyrics like “Baby i’ve lost you here in the crowd/Open your arms I want to be found.” Even in its ballad-like lyrical quality, “Thieves in the Night” still makes you want dance as Alexis sings, “Happiness is what we all want.” Piano-pounding “Hand Me Down Your Love” keeps the pace of the album going, with a violin-heavy chorus that still manages to make your heart melt. Probably my favorite song on the album is “I Feel Better.” Although I’m not not a fan of autotune, the heavy 80’s-inspired heavy synth riffs in the song’s intro make up for it, as does the pulsing rhythm that builds throughout. “One Life Stand” gets runner-up for best song on the album, really reiterating the album’s romantic motif when Alexis announces, “I only wanna be your one life stand/Tell me do you stand by your whole man.” Although songs like “Brothers” and “Alley Cats” are on the slower-tempo side and take their time to build up, they fit well into the pace of the rest of the album well. Ending strong with synth-heavy dance-powered “We Have Love,” the album culminates with “Take It In,” another pulsing disco-inspired ballad. Laying it all out for all to see, Alexis asks, “And oh, please take my heart and keep it close to you/Take it in, take it in.”
Continuously growing into their own, Hot Chip have matured with this fourth album in the best way possible. Even while revealing a more sophisticated side of themselves, Hot Chip still manages to make it impossible to sit still while listening to One Life Stand. Filled with heartfelt ballads that can still provide the soundtrack to your dance parties, Hot Chip have finally honed in their talents – and it has surely payed off.
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