Push the Button

by The Chemical Brothers

Overview

When the big beat boom gradually subsided, the Chemical Brothers initially sought refuge within a carefully crafted version of house music both epic and psychedelic. Still, the duo are fusion fans at heart, and their fifth studio album, Push the Button, finds them easing back to their true love -- pulverizing stylistic boundaries while they seek out clever hooks to hang their production caps on. The first half of the record is heavy on collaboration, beginning with the clear highlight, "Galvanize," which features guest Q-Tip riding a delicious mid-tempo groove and the brothers teasing out an ingenious Middle Eastern string sample over the course of several breakdowns and over six minutes. "The Boxer" has ChemBros veteran Tim Burgess of the Charlatans coming on like an extroverted Steve Miller, while the next track, "Believe," features Britpop newcomer Kele Okereke (of Bloc Party) agonizing over an energized electroshock production composed of equal parts Prince and Chicago acid house. It's clear the Chemical Brothers are still searching restlessly for new sounds and new fusions; only they could alternate a polemical hip-hop track -- "Left Right," a guest spot for Anwar Superstar, who, incidentally, may be the younger brother of Mos Def, but sounds like he's been living in Jay-Z's head for a few years -- with a feature for an indie band, the Magic Numbers ("Close Your Eyes"). Obviously, it's far more refreshing to explore new territory rather than merely go back over old ground; while "Come Inside" suffers by aping their 1997 approach, the subsequent track, "The Big Jump," finds the pair energized with a fresh gloss on their patented sound (although it is easy to notice how the skronky guitars in the background are clearly a post-electroclash development). While there aren't as many heart-stopping productions as on 2002's unjustly neglected Come With Us, Push the Button proves the Chemical Brothers have retained the innate curiosity necessary to keep them blazing trails for years to come. ~ John Bush

Product Details

Release Date:	01/13/2017
Label:	Astralwerks / Universal / Virgin Emi
UPC:	0724356330214

Tracks

1. Galvanize
2. Boxer
3. Believe
4. Hold Tight London
5. Come Inside
6. Big Jump
7. Left Right
8. Close Your Eyes
9. Shake Break Bounce
10. Marvo Ging
11. Surface to Air

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Chemical Brothers   Primary Artist
The Magic Numbers   Primary Artist,Vocals
Q-Tip   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals
Anwar Superstar   Primary Artist,Vocals
Tim Burgess   Primary Artist,Vocals
Kele Okereke   Primary Artist,Vocals
Anna-Lynne Williams   Vocals
Jon Brookes   Drums

Technical Credits

Steve Dub   Engineer
The Chemical Brothers   Design,Producer,Art Direction
Anna-Lynne Williams   Composer
Ed Simons   Composer
Romeo Stodart   Composer
Mike Marsh   Mastering
Kamaal Fareed   Composer
Tim Burgess   Composer
Anwar Superstar   Composer,Performer
Kele Okereke   Composer
Cheeky Paul   Editing
Najat Aatabou   Composer
Tom Rowlands   Composer
The Magic Numbers   Performer
Vaughn Merrick   Voice Engineer
Tappin Gofton   Design,Art Direction
Kam Tang   Illustrations
Ben Thackeray   Assistant Engineer
Anwar Prescott   Composer