Hot Chip

Continuing in the vein of albums past and adhering to the geek rock electro-pop front that saw their ascent to the top (a tag music journalists are eager to both dispel, as well as embrace), Hot Chip's latest, One Life Stand, seems a departure from the self-conscious and ironic musings prevalent on their third studio release, Made In the Dark. One Life Stand instead clearly differentiates between, and develops its forays into, ballads and dance floor throw downs, ideas that took shape on albums previous, but have found stable footing on this latest release. First single and title track "One Night Stand" is as adept in setting the dance floor vibe as it is in incorporating its ardent, rich chorus. A pulsing beat and steady keys slink through "Hand Me Down Your Love," until melancholic strings swell into a crooning chorus. One Life Stand is a step up for Hot Chip, exposing the album's vulnerability through calculated ruminations.