Scorcher!

There has always been a space in popular music for the oddball. Each generation has come and gone with its fair share of eccentrics, and based purely on aesthetics, Hot Chip are among this generation's crop. Of all the awards for which they may be nominated in 2008, "sexiest" or "best dressed" are almost out of the question. Sonically though, their eccentricity is entirely to their benefit, and Made in the Dark is an infinitely better album for it.

This is a band who have enjoyed significant critical acclaim for their previous work, without quite matching up in terms of tangible success. This third long player though ought to be the vehicle by which they achieve it - it's a massive step forward from 2006's The Warning.

The most remarkable thing about Made in the Dark is it diversity. Each and every song sounds completely different from its predecessor. Furious dance banger Shake A Fist flows almost effortlessly into the catchy, radio friendly pop of Ready for the Floor, the latter being the first single from the album, and already an early tip for Ibiza's more discerning dance floors this summer.

Eclecticism oozes through this album, but not at the expense of cohesion or craft - this is not diversity for diversity's sake. Tender ballads sit sandwiched between ecstatic synth driven anthems, Alexis Taylor's delicate vocal an equally perfect foil to either. Title track Made In the Dark is a gently moving piano led plodder, One Pure Thought a guitar driven rock riff careering towards a beat to die for, and Don't Dance defies the listener to take instruction and sit still - a real highlight.

Perhaps Made In The Dark is two or three tracks too long, and is therefore not quite so clinical or succinct as it might be. But boundaries are pushed here, and the result is very close to excellence.

Hot Chip look like they were made in the dark, and they certainly appear to have got dressed in the dark, but they may just find 2008 their year.