Bleep

Hot Chip frontman Alexis Taylor returns on Domino Recording Co. with his second solo album Await Barbarians. Written and played entirely by himself (with the exception of the string parts), its a more pared-back and intimate release than his work with Hot Chip or About Group, beginning with the subtly treated piano of opening track 'Lazy Bones' before the raw, playful strums and lulling melody of 'From The Halfway Line' take over. 'Immune System' is a light piece of twinkling, dream-like atmosphere while 'Elvis Has Left The Building' is weightier and grander in scale. Over all its a touching record, far removed from the sparky, upbeat dance-pop we have come to expect from Taylor, and showing his talent as a composer in unexpected ways.