Joe Goddard - Electric Lines

Joe Goddard
Electric Lines
2017
Spotify

Joe Goddard is one of the founding members of Hot Chip, which in and of itself should get you excited about this record, but this is also somehow is first solo album. Instead of trying to be Hot Chip however this record blends in a great mix of electronic, disco and pop to create a producers record to be reckoned with. What Electric Lines really feels like is a way for Joe Goddard to create modern pop and dance music that is hip but also intellectually deconstructs the genres He is working in. Goddard has such a light touch on this record but it never feels thin, hollow or overly delicate. At the very heart of it all this is dance music and it is clear that is what he wants you to do. Each track is so varied, "Home" for example starts with this very, very disco opening but then changes into this Techno R&B jam sesh, the spirit never leaves even if the sound slightly does. It really is quite incredible. The song perfectly encapsulates that feeling of when the biggest club banger just dropped the night was amazing but now it's time to float home, but after just one more dance. Vocals from Daniel Wilson also insure that this lead single is going to get a lot of play. What Goddard really shows on this album is just how comfortable he is in playing around with genres, it takes a real confidence and skill to change your sound so boldly track to track, but He makes it work. "Lasers" is a more dub type of track, but really switches up the vibe of the record in a kind of strange way.

The one issue with this journey through dance music history is that there are times where Goddard relies on the basic sounds of these genres too much. Some of the tracks can sound more like imitation than those where Goddard is clearly very comfortable. "Truth Is Light" has that same light touch that I mentioned earlier and actually sounds the most like a real deal Hot Chip song. The album as a whole is a really nice listen and you will find little things sprinkled throughout which will make you look up and take notice. However it does seem like Hot Chip Goddard may suffer from having one track that is absolutely stellar ("Home") while the rest tends to not be quite as exciting. It is almost like this album will be the base of something to come rather than the finished product. You can almost envision in your mind where a live set of this record would go, but for now we have to base the review on what is in front of uis. There is plenty to like about this album, and other things that don't quite light that fire. In the end however Goddard presents his version of dance music history and it is pretty damn good.

7.9 out of 10