AUSTIN, TX- Hot Chip played Austin Saturday, April 29 on their current “Freakout/Release” tour in support of their upcoming 8th album which is scheduled to be released on August 19th, 2022 via Domino.
The 11-track album was recorded in the band’s East London studio that was put together during the first year of the pandemic. This follow-up to ‘A Bath Full Of Ecstasy’ (2019) explores an array of intensity and darker emotions different than their previous records.
“We were living through a period where it was very easy to feel like people were losing control of their lives in different ways,” Hot Chip’s Goddard explains. “There’s a darkness that runs through a lot of those tracks.”
The band opened the set with “Flutes”, the single from their 2012 album ‘In Our Heads’ while the crowd was still screaming Alexis Taylor’s name repeatedly. This was followed by “Down”, the first track, and one written for the upcoming album, sustaining the strong energy and carrying both the fun party with a slightly nostalgic feel.
This was an intense dance party that translated visually and sonically the catchy, nerdy, fully realized electronic sound and personality of the band.
The outdoor venue was absolutely packed. I’d love to say the crowd was incredible, but it was the only downside of the show. A Bro culture parade from the middle of the venue to the back in contrast with the most devoted fans jumping and singing upfront in what felt like the hottest evening of the year so far, but they were all immensely happy to be there. I was too.
Newer and older material was scattered unexpectedly going from vibrant to introspective, but always rich-sounding in a well-curated display of Hot Chi’s extensive repertoire.
Yes, they played “Over and Over” and “Ready for the Floor”. It made me feel a bit homesick since these were tunes I enjoyed before moving to the US when I was a younger person, but I found myself enjoying the newer material from 2012′ In Our Heads, and 2019’s A Bath Full Of Ecstasy; and the 2 new singles from the upcoming Freakout /Release.
I’ve followed the band’s work for over a decade and the individual projects by Alexis Taylor and Joe Goddard; it was a sincere privilege to document this set on my first opportunity to see them perform while getting ready to soak in the new work.
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