Chemical Brothers - We Are The Night review

Album of the week - They been around for a couple of decades now, but will the The Chemical Brothers' latest album tarnish the legendary reputation they've worked so hard to achieve?

Need to know

We Are The Night is the hedonistic sixth studio album from Ed Simonsand and Tom Rowland – the club, rave, party cum bedroom-stereo institution known as The Chemical Brothers.

Big beats and adrenaline rush-inducing tempos are married with their distinctive brand of psychedelic electro, along with welcome collaborations from the likes of The Klaxons, Willy Mason and Midlake.

Best track

The album’s self-titled track teeters on the edge of being an over-indulgent piece from the renowned duo, but comes out the other end an addictive, mesmerising harmony of beats and vocals, reminding listeners old and new why The Chemical Brothers truly are the daddies of the dancefloor. ‘The Salmon Dance’ also stands out – an odd, funky and Outkast-cum-Basement-Jaxx reminiscent track reflecting the confidence of the acclaimed duo.

Worst track

Appearing towards the end of the album, ‘Harpoons’, an arguably more experimental track, lacks the flavour of its predecessors, but is still a worthy addition to The Chemical Brothers’ latest collection. You’ll undoubtedly need to listen to the album a few times over before it all makes sense.

One for the collection?

What do you mean you haven’t bought it yet? With We Are The Night The Chemical Brothers have proven they’ve still got plenty left up their sleeve yet. Expect some serious radio time dedicated to choices from the album over the coming months, with tracks ‘Do It Again’ and ‘We Are The Night’ being strong contenders for the summer anthem hit-list of 2007.

James Fryer
9 July 2007