If Hot Chip's 2004 debut Coming on Strong was a patchy-but-likeable introduction to the London electro-poppers, and their sophomore effort The Warning simmered with potential greatness but never quite reached boiling point, then their third outing rectifies all of their previous imperfect undertakings. Be under no illusions though, Made in the Dark is not a faultless album; but it's packed with so much joyous variety that it'll hold your attention until its last note - a quality that both previous efforts were lacking in. Hot Chip may never again attain the heights of their knockout hit Over and Over - which will perhaps remain something of an albatross around their collective neck in years to come - but they make a damned fine attempt at bettering it here. The two tracks that were recorded live and in a single take (Out at the Pictures and Hold On) are among the best on the album. The former's 'Doctor Who/robots invasion' vibe gives way to a haze of synths and the quirky, organic layering technique that HC do so well, and the latter's finger-clicking disco slickness suggests that the band have been listening to their fair share of soul records. Indeed, soul and funk are an apparent theme on Made in the Dark, with We're Looking For A Lot Of Love's gospel riff floating over a cheesy '80s powerpop hook, and Wrestlers providing outer layers of hip-hop and r 'n' b to a luscious Chip butty filling. There are also some surprising turn-ups; the title track is a sentimental, lounge-style guitar ballad unembellished by effects, while the superb One Pure Thought sounds like The Streets met The Specials on a rainy day in 1980s Manchester. It's lead single Ready for the Floor that probably packs the heftiest sucker-punch, though: pinging with synth splashes, ponging with a decisive, obsessive drum beat, it's one of the best dancefloor tracks you'll hear in 2008. If Hot Chip can make an album as exquisite as this in the dark, imagine what they can do with the lights on.
