Hot Chip's new album, "One Life Stand," progresses from its previously more upbeat, stimulating music. One might think it would be difficult to distinguish Hot Chip from the multitudes of electropop bands, such as Cut Copy and LCD Soundsystem, clogging the airwaves at the moment. Hot Chip, however, differentiates itself through a distinct style and front man Alexis Taylor's unique voice.
Having become famous for songs such as "Over and Over" from its best−known album, "The Warning" (2006), and "Ready for the Floor" from "Made in the Dark" (2008), Hot Chip's new album plays as a more disco−influenced, melancholy encounter. Alexis Taylor has always been the driving force behind the band, but the fact that each member is a renowned DJ in his own right lends a more polished sound to the group's albums.
Lyrics do not usually take the spotlight for electronic bands, but Alexis Taylor adds a more heartfelt element to the songs on "One Life Stand" through lines such as "Don't I know there is a God?/ Now I know there is a God in your heart," from the song "Slush." There is a distinct difference from previous records in the depth of the subject matter. This emphasis on a song's content demonstrates the band's commitment to writing more emotionally invested lyrics; whether or not the raving, glow−stick−waving masses will find this change acceptable remains to be seen.
On the song "I Feel Better," the addition of violins demonstrates a bit of classical influence, representing the band's maturity on its fourth album. The lyrics "Nothing is wasted and life is worth living/ Heaven is nowhere, just look to the stars" show a progression in the development of the group, yet the new sound is almost too mellow to be recognized as Hot Chip.
With any other genre of music, such an evolution would be a welcome change to some; Bloc Party's vast transformation from "Silent Alarm" (2005) to "Intimacy" (2008) won it a generally favorable response from critics and fans alike. But in the electronic pop genre, changes can be more difficult for fans to accept. Bands like The Knife, to which Hot Chip has borne a striking similarity, keep a consistent style from album to album and have seldom received criticism from reviewers and listeners.
The last track on the album, "Take It In," plays more like a regression to Hot Chip's prior work, ending the album on somewhat of a nostalgic note for the more traditional Hot Chip fans out there. Yet even this song features a more melodic chorus, with softer lyrics like, "And oh, oh, my heart has flown to you just like a dove/ It can fly, it can fly," revealing a more romantic side to the band. Electronic bands are not often known for their sincere lyrics, but with the level of attention to the harmonies on this album, the lyrics achieve a remarkable synchronicity with the melody.
In comparison to its earlier albums, Hot Chip has yet to top "The Warning" in regard to individual singles and lyrics, but "One Life Stand" shows a branching out that should be welcome in any band. This change should hopefully signal more experimental songs in the vein of "Hand Me Down Your Love" and the melancholy electro−ballad "Brothers," which use Taylor's individual vocals to the best of his abilities, something the previous albums have not achieved. Every song on "One Life Stand" exceeds four minutes, and the album requires several listens before an accurate appraisal can be made of it, but it's worth the time for Hot Chip fans or those who appreciate dreamy electropop.
