Sharp, observational lyrics and experimental timings have always been the strong point of Hot Club de Paris‘ music, and it’s safe to say they haven’t changed the formula. Tracks vary from the slow paced ‘We Played Ourselves (Ain’t Nobody Else’s Fault)’, which has beautiful swaying guitar loops, to tracks like that are brasher, with gruff yells that give some of their songs sound like old sea shanties.
Their math rock style indie pop always seemed to be ever so slightly smarmy, but I think this new album has eradicated what i felt was their only minor fault. All of the comedic asides that were a major part of their last album have been limited, constrained and have therefore become a more effective aspect of their music. In fact I really enjoy the more heartfelt songs on the album like ‘Let Go Of Everything’ and ‘The Dice Just Wasn’t Loaded From The Start’. I don’t know whether this is a sign of the band maturing since the last album, but I think it’s a sign that anything they do in the future could be even better, and that they should be a band that will be around for quite a while yet.
The album doesn’t really differ too much from their first album ‘Drop It Till It Pops’, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Most bands who try and make their second album different fail abysmally and produce something that just dissapoints there fan base. So for once, i think their lack of innovation is commendable. Hot Club De Paris have a sound that you could pick out from a mile off anyway, they don’t need to experiment.
