STEREOLAB - Chemical Chords

Tim Gane wanted to "pick rhythms that were quite fast--short songs that were more upbeat" for Chemical Chords, and despite it feeling at this point like The Groop's own catalog is the one getting thumbed through unlike the record-collector alchemy of older efforts, the reliance on drum machine and loops instead of live percussion (deadlines loomed once Gane and Sean O'Hagan finished the double-disc La Vie D'Artiste soundtrack, with Gane apparently needing to quickly pass songs to O'Hagan for arrangements), as on two-minute blip "Valley Hi!", is what may most distinguish studio set No. 9. Opt for the ultra-nerdy limited edition paper sleeve fake Japanese import!