About

Following a period of experimental single releases and two compilations, London based band Stereolab returned with their eleventh album in 2008. Touted as taking a more pop-oriented, Mowtown-inspired direction, Chemical Chords met a generally lukewarm reception from a press mostly endeared to their sound of space-age electronic pop over what was by then an almost two-decade career.

Review

I'm a big fan of Stereolab and not listened to this album. It's a big discography, alright? Stereolab's later work is a war of attrition. It's immaculately orchestrated as ever, but their work during this time lacks distinction. Brass hooks and thumping sixties-style 4/4 rhythms on tracks like Self Portrait are where things crescendo, but if you've heard a Stereolab song from around this time, you've heard most of them. The harpsichord or whatever it is really needed to retire well before this point.

Will I check this album out again?

Yes - I'll give it another go sometime when delving into the enormous Stereolab discography.

Reviewed on 5 June 2024