Hot Chip: One Life Stand

[rating=4.00]

Hot Chip’s One Life Stand is one of the most genuine, unpretentious albums of the young year. Without trying to re-invent the wheel, the band has steadily produced albums of increasing quality throughout their career. One Life Stand is the next logical progression in their timeline, a deliciously and deceptively simple affair that showcases the band’s best qualities. The subtle differences in their sound aren’t forced or fabricated, making the album a unique listen while comforting the listener with a consistent, dance-driven pop style.

It’s impossible not to be drawn in by Alexis Taylor’s vocals, which are as poignant as they are fragile. He’s always there with a perfectly realized, melodically satisfying couplet. The juxtaposition of his slightly nerdy enunciations with the pulsating, kinetic music that pours out of the quintet is one of the world’s truly recognizable sounds. While their formula remains mostly unchanged for the course of the album (and their career, really), the personality and humanity that Taylor and company infuse into each song separates them from the madding crowd of electronic pop acts.

The steamy thud of "One Life Stand" meshes with Taylor’s somewhat deadpan delivery to create an irresistibly sublime electronic rock gem, complete with infectious hook and driving rhythm. Layers of sound are traded for others, giving the chorus an epic feel and adding a hint of nastiness to the verses. The album is enjoyable throughout, but it really shines when the band loiters in expansive, energetic excursions like the title track, the heart-racing opener "Thieves in the Night" and the club-ready "We Have Love." Similarly, the closing opus "Take It In" is a lush, majestic pop masterpiece that brings to mind all of the good things synthesizers have done for music over the years.

One Life Stand isn’t all light, smoke, and disco though. "Brothers" is a bit of a stylistic departure that works, featuring vocal harmonies that are even more earnest than usual and an anthemic yet drowsy atmosphere. Less traditional Chip moments like "Brothers," the moody, piano-laced "Hand Me Down Your Love" and the surprisingly well-worn balladry of "Slush" still manage to fit in and entertain with equal ability. After four essential albums, it’s clear that Hot Chip have exceeded expectations in terms of their musical range and longevity, and they’ve become a band worthy of not just your attention, but your love.