"Why be tough"- Hot Chip (Why Make Sense?)

Hot Chip
Why Make Sense?

why you'll love it: A return to a more "fun & trashy" Hot Chip

why you'll hate it: Too cheesy and immature

I don't think I'll be any happier to eat my own words in 2015.  Back in the late 2000's, Hot Chip was one of the most daring and creative bands out there.  They created wild and weird  abstract pop art.  The sound was sharp, snappy, and catchy.  Their attitude was culturally defiant.  A group of pasty white Brits working off of classic American R&B templates, gangster rap stereotypes, and smashing it directly into new wave synth-pop and modern house music.  Unlike Beastie Boys, they didn't overcome their awkward presence; they embraced it.  The Warning (2006) & Made in The Dark (2008) are incredible albums because they fearlessly tackle genres that normally would cast-off a band as pretentious, over saturated, or not cool enough to belong in.  It all worked due to their confidence and admittance that it's all in the name of kitschy fun.

Eventually, the tide started to shift.  The last two Hot Chip albums have had a few fun singles, but saw them take themselves more seriously.  Honest love songs, and few moments of absurdity.  It was almost like Hot Chip had finally seen themselves as the forefront of R&B and UK house music, instead of the weird kids in the back of the class.

Now you can see why titling your album Why Make Sense? is one hell of a tease to me.  I built myself up so see a return of prime Hot Chip.  "Hurrache Lights" is a fine single, but they pulled the same bait & switch with their last album's lead single.  Plus, it's nowhere on the brain-busting level of "Shake A Fist" or "Arrest Yourself".  Their next single, "Need You Now" is probably the most derivative house music ballad I've ever heard.  By this point, Why Make Sense? was looking like one big con.

What surfaced was something I never expected: a roots album.  For the most part, the songs of Why Make Sense? harken back to Hot Chip's original sound: a simple and trashy take on soul and funk.  Only now they have their veteran studio experience and an arsenal of synthesizers.  Why Make Sense? is essentially a big budget sequel to their debut LP, Coming on Strong (2004).  If you were to listen to "The Beach Party" (off Coming on Strong) and "Cry For You". you wouldn't think much has changed in 10 years.

They're still making more love songs than I would prefer them to, but Why Make Sense? has that humble and fun take that has been missing for a while.  Hot Chip's hot takes on relationships this time out are comically oversimplified or just plain don't make sense.  Strangely, that's what makes these songs work.  They find a catchy beat, and do just enough to it to make it sound good.  Thanks to this silly and simple "budget CD bin" songwriting approach, Hot Chip once again recaptures that "Weirdos who don't belong in this genre" magic.  The achingly cheesy rap verse in "Love is The Future", with casio-like beats.  The laughably simple mottos of "Started Right" and "Easy To Get".  A song titled "White Wine And Fried Chicken" has the perfect little home on this album.  This album reeks of glued on plastic jewels and Elvis Presley collector plates.  Hot Chip are once again R&B's lovable dorks.

Hot Chip isn't just going for a cheap thrill, thankfully.  They've come to far to undo ten years of growth.  I did side-eye "Huarache Lights" at first take, but admit, it's one hell of a track.  Between the First Choice sampling on this track (a perfect fit) and De La Soul's guest spot on "Love is The Future", I can see Hot Chip one day going down the Gorillaz/Battles route of guest vocalists.  Not to take anything away from Alexis Taylor's indistinguishable croon.  While we're on about vocals, the 2nd most sincerely impressive track has got to be "Dark Night", and it's all because of the best fucking performance by Joe Goddard I've ever heard.  I had to look up a live performance to make sure it was him.

If the world revolved around me, the album's self titled closer would represent the album.  The song "Why Make Sense?" is one of the most sonically abrasive tunes they've ever done.  It's an avalanche of synthesizers, making for their biggest closer ever.  A message that Hot Chip can still make a defiant artistic statement when they want to.  Hot Chip has managed to have its cake and eat it too with this album.  The love songs that have defined them for the past five years are still in full bloom, but their kitschy roots show more than ever.  That third side of theirs that I love so much is the least represented, but i know being sour over that is just selfish.  Yes, the album is that good.