Hot Chip: Why Make Sense? | Album Review

Why Make Sense?
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Artist: Hot Chip
Genre: Electronic
Label: Domino

As exponents of emotional electronica that’s irresistibly groovy as a rule, Hot Chip have based their career on making people feel things as they dance.

Have they painted themselves into a corner with that modus operandi, though? Certain songs on their sixth album suggest so, such as the lovelorn Cry for You and the dreamy Easy to Get, while a rap interlude on Love is the Future is oddly misplaced.

Songs such as Started Right are more ear-catching, blending jittery minimalism with the sharp buzz of synthesiser; White Wine and Fried Chicken is a full-on soul ballad and Need You Now throws back to 1990s rave.

The surprises are few and far between, but ardent fans won’t be too bothered by more of the same.

Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy is a freelance journalist and broadcaster. She writes about music and the arts for The Irish Times