There's no real surprises on Hot Chip man Joe Goddard's debut solo album 'Harvest Festival', but the fruit inspired 12 track LP still doesn't disappoint.


As many Hot Chip fans will know, Goddard brings the bleeps, beats and backing vocals to the band, so this album being all electronic is no real surprise. It's interesting as a fan of the band to see how much of an influence Goddard has had on their sound, by listening to his solo work. Having had several techno, minimal and house remixes releases in recent years it can only be expected that these genres make up a large part of the album.

Opener 'Apple Bobbing' pairs a fruity laidback arp with some detuned saws, gently bobbing along to a 4/4 beat for a satisfactory introduction to Joe's style of production. 'Tinned Apricot' could easily be forgotten along with similarly wonky tech efforts 'Pear-Shaped', 'Pineapple Chunks' and probably the best of the clubbier tracks 'Go Bananas'. All very workable dancefloor tunes. Goddard highlights his Hot Chip electro pop side in 'Strawberry Jam', as the gloopy bassness of track drags you along with it before heading into dramatic breakdown with delayed vocals, you can really imagine Alexis Taylor's vocals coming in over the top.

'Half-Time Oranges' proves a welcome break from the 4/4 monsters and a proposed interval as the title would suggest. It comprises a hip hop beat with some clever melodies and marks a point from which the album becomes much more interesting. It is followed by my pick of the album, and the only track to properly feature Joe's vocals, it's a really nice contrast to the other tracks and shows off his broad soundscape within electronica. This is likely to be the most popular track for Hot Chip fans.

With decayed beats and sub bass providing the punch, 'Tropical Punch's emotive keys really draw the listener in. Then there's 'Sour Grapes', at 6mins26 it's a dark and slowly building track that denies itself the peak time slot with a slightly lower tempo than the other 4/4 tracks and a winey, sinister organ that would worsen my tinitus on the even best club systems! The Balearic pads of 'Mango Chutney' are interrupted by some irregular and unforeseen synth stabs before a pounding beat comes to match it, turning it into a dancefloor monster that shows off improvisation. Closing track 'Coconut Shy' opens with more down tempo warm pads before Goddard's melancholy vocals are present again, and the track is quite soothing, before closing the album with a 50 second outtro.

In general, the album sounds almost random with regards to timing of keys and melodies, but somehow it all comes together in the end, showing it for what it really is - an experimental masterpiece. You get a sense that Joe wanted to use loops and prolonged instrumental sections here, where he couldn't with Hot Chip. There are times where the adventitious and playful melodies can interupt an enthralling breakdown or groove, which may prove too discomforting for some, but I think it was Joe's intention to make an album that is an intricately imperfect celebration of electronic music.


Pre-Order your copy now at Rough Trade



Greco-Roman Music (For full album preview)