Spoon, Hot Thoughts | Track Review 🎵

Spoon delivers a groovy, infectious new single with “Hot Thoughts,” the title track and promo single for their forthcoming 2017 album.

Spoon ranks high among the darlings of alternative and indie rock. For alt-music fans, the release of a new Spoon album is “kind of a big deal.”  Notably, the band has been around for more than two decades! They return to drop their first album in nearly three years, Hot Thoughts (March 17).  Fittingly, the title track serves as the promo single for the new LP.

“Hot Thoughts” opens unsettlingly, before a sick groove and bass line anchors things down.  Uniquely, “Hot Thoughts” has a danceable quality without remotely being a pop or dance number.  In the same token, the record rocks hard enough to please fans of the band and rock music in general.  It’s not as if Britt Daniel and company were necessarily aiming to walk a fine line, but the results yield a record that has crossover appeal. Likely, “Hot Thoughts” won’t gain traction – few rock or alternative records do – but its sound at least earns the possibility.

Not only is the music enticing, so are the lyrics.  Depth doesn’t properly characterize the songwriting – it’s more fun than transcendent.  Spoon embraces repetition when it comes to the titular lyric, while the lyrics are drenched in innuendo.  Even though innuendo is part of the script, it isn’t explicit or tasteless.  In the age where unapologetic lyricism is key, Daniel and company keep it classy, which adds to the charm of the record.  The romantic interest of Daniel? Given the cited city, the assumption is she’s Japanese:

“Your teeth shining so white
Light up this sad street in Shibuya tonight.”

Prior to that lyric from verse two, Britt sings:

“Hot thoughts melting my mind
Could be your accent mixing with mine…”

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, “Hot Thoughts” is a worthwhile preview of what’s to come from the new Spoon album.  As a title track and opener, it’s electrifying and enjoyable start.  At this point, Spoon isn’t likely to woo a new fan base – no matter how soulful that bass line is – but in their middle age, Spoon continues to flex.

Spoon • Hot Thoughts • Matador • Release: 3.17.17

Photo Credit: Matador