ALBUM: Hot Chip’s In Our Heads

Based in London, Hot Chip is known for their danceable beats and interesting quirks, truths that shine through in a deep way on their latest album, In Our Heads.  While the lyrics explore some deeper themes often not seen in pop music, like religion, marriage, and children, they keep it upbeat and the result is not heavy or overly formal in the slightest.  They approach the music from an almost philosophical angle, which gives some very intricate results (see the 7 minute long “Flutes”).  The crazy thing is that from start to finish, the music makes you want to just move. In Our Heads was self-produced, and is Hot Chip’s fifth studio album.  The album kicks off with the upbeat “Motion Sickness” followed by the track with some really cool religious/spiritual references (again, which somehow do not end up being stodgy in the least) “How Do You Do?”.  On the fourth track, “Look at Where We Are,” the album slows down a bit, and more serious emotions come through as there are reflections on love and relationships.  The hit single released in April, “Night and Day,” is an electronic dance anthem, bringing everything back up.  Of course, the pièce de résistance is the complex 7 minute long “Flutes”.  Yes, it is a little repetitive, but it doesn’t get old.  Wrapping the whole thing with “Always Been Your Love,” In Our Heads ends on a chill note, not overwhelming but just tapering off, leaving the listener off with synth-y soulfulness. In Our Heads, ends up being an electro-pop blast of an album, representing well the band’s mission to express their fun take on music through their exploratory sound.  This sound has been described as a mix of R&B and electronic, two seemingly irreconcilable styles, which Hot Chip blends with a great upbeat final product.  If you’re into fun electronic sounds, exciting songs, with complex lyrics and an deeper message, check out In Our Heads. Here is the cool video for the first single released from the album, “Night and Day,” (it was released on Record Store Day) directed by Peter Serafinowicz and featuring the supermodel Lara Stone. And here is a neat interview with Hot Chip discussing their new album and their DJ sets, which they say really takes the pressure off from their real lives.  Also, the band has said that DJing has had a major impact on how their sound has progressed, most reflected on their latest album.  In Our Heads includes many pulsing, repetitive beats, giving a more cohesive, melodic parallel to the sounds they use while DJing.