How we’ve seen Hot Chip grow from the pitter-patter of tiny beats that populated 2004’s ‘Coming On Strong’. They’re now England’s ongoing tribute to LCD Soundsystem – a conglomeration of the coolest retro references, expertly repackaged as intelligently accessible dance-pop.
‘In Our Heads’ is Hot Chip’s most understated album since their debut. Its basslines ruffle your hair rather than beat you about the head, leaving the housey nostalgia of 2010’s ‘One Life Stand’ almost absent. Here, even the frivolous funk of ‘Don’t Deny Your Heart’ slips down your earholes without touching the sides, it’s so smooth, while the silky ‘Now There Is Nothing’ glides like a paper plane. Hot Chip still have an ear for excitable electro though – ‘Night And Day’ is a sheer sensory assault and ‘Flutes’ is a stunning seven-minute spiral of syncopation that instantly stitches itself into your subconscious. The issue is that ‘In Our Heads’’ clean-cut choruses lack the experimental edge of old – ‘How Do You Do’ bubbles without bursting and ‘Ends Of The Earth’ rumbles without erupting – but at least this shows Hot Chip are looking towards their future. They’ve left easy indie-disco hits behind and are now proving they’re some of the most capable songwriters around.

Robert Cooke