New Hot Chip (Alexis Taylor solo track)
Posted by Imran on 15 October 2008
I’ve had an odd relationship with Hot Chip. When they started out, I was not a fan at all. I was NME Radar editor at the time and it all seemed so kitsch and unambitious. My friend Tim Jonze once pitched them to me as “hip-hop made on Gameboy’s”. He was being positive, but I took it as symbolic of why I disliked them. They’re the only band whom I refused to give a NME new band piece too and subsequently regretted the decision (that said Tim was also championing The Research at the same time, so can you blame me?).
Five years on, Hot Chip are one of my favourite bands. Relentlessly ambitious, unique, creating brilliant pop music at every turn – I’m actually something of an obsessives these days. I think both ‘The Warning’ and ‘Made In The Dark’ are classic albums and I’ve even made my peace with their debut ‘Coming On Strong’.
So I was delighted this morning to find out that singer Alexis Taylor has released a solo album this week. ‘Rubbed Out’ is his solo record, described as “exclusively tailored in places,planes,hotel rooms and at home. 15 bespoke songs and instrumentals by Alexis Taylor.”
I ordered the CD this morning but in the meantime, discovered a track from the record which you can listen to below. Entitled ‘Baby’ it’s not very Hot Chip at all – it’s a totally simple songsketch, pinned together with an incredibly infectious guitar line and a real John Lennon vibe. Check it out below…