Hot Chip have returned with “Fire of Mercy,” a new single featuring Yunè Pinku. Watch the visualizer for the song below.
With inquisitive lyrics like, “Do you ever stop believing/ In the things that make you feel like you?,” the new track shows off Hot Chip’s ability to explore thoughtful themes in a grooving, electronic setting. Beneath an infectious vocal melody, layers of bustling drums and samples create a rhythmic engine, elevating the tune to a cruising altitude of “vibey.”
As for the song’s meaning, the band’s Joe Goddard explained: “‘Fire of Mercy’ relates to the central concept of William Blake’s Songs of Experience — it bemoans the corruption that inevitably comes from adulthood and longs for a return to the purity of childhood.” For her part, Pinku added: “Massive honor to work with Hot Chip, as they’re huge legends within the electronic world. When they played me ‘Fire of Mercy’ and asked me to jump on the track, I was thrilled to work with them.”
“Fire of Mercy” is the first proper new release from Hot Chip since 2022’s Freakout/Release. When that album came out, the band spoke with Consequence’s Associate Editor Paolo Ragusa, touching on their new creative influences and the changes they’ve undergone since their formation in 2000. Read the full interview.
Earlier this year, Hot Chip appeared on “Line in the Sand,” a track with Brian Eno for his Earth Day charity album.
Hot Chip are also set to play a handful of shows during the remainder of 2023, including sets at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles and Portola Festival in San Francisco. Check out the full list of their upcoming dates below, and grab tickets for their European shows here, and their American shows here.
Hot Chip 2023 Tour Dates:
08/08 – Lokeren, BE @ Lokerse Festival
08/11 – Barcelona, ES @ Brunch Electronik
08/25 – Birmingham, UK @ Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival 2023 *
08/26 – Cornwall, UK @ Scorrier House
08/27 – Kingham, UK @ The Big Festival 2023 *
09/09 – Cardiff, UK @ Alexandra Head
09/28 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Hollywood Palladium
09/30 – San Francisco, CA @ Portola Festival
10/21 – London, UK @ Bugged Out! at Drumsheds
11/17 – Mexico City, MX @ Corona Capital
12/02 – London, UK @ Alexandra Palace
* = Hot Chip DJ set
