Hot Chip Announce New Album A Long Way From Kansas, Share Single “Random Violence”: Stream

British electronic band Hot Chip is gearing up to release their ninth studio album, titled A Long Way From Kansas, scheduled for January 8, 2027, through Domino Records. The 11-track collection marks a shift toward a rawer, more distorted sound influenced by punk, reflecting the band’s engagement with themes of political turmoil and societal unrest.

The album’s title draws inspiration from the classic film The Wizard of Oz, symbolizing a journey away from a familiar place toward an uncertain and chaotic reality. This metaphor underscores the record’s exploration of finding stability and belonging amid the current global climate, which the band describes as increasingly harsh and discordant.

Recorded at the Relax and Enjoy studio in East London, a space operated by band members Joe Goddard and Al Doyle, the album includes notable collaborations with vocalists Beth Ditto and Eddie Chacon. These guest appearances contribute to the sonic diversity of the project, which balances introspective lyrics with energetic instrumentation.

To introduce the album, Hot Chip released the lead single, “Random Violence,” accompanied by a music video directed by Jack Cole. The track serves as a tribute to the late Keith McIvor, better known as JD Twitch, a revered figure in the Scottish DJ scene and part of the duo Optimo. The song reflects on McIvor’s influence, juxtaposing themes of violence with moments of kindness, celebrating the human connections fostered through music.

The video features the Boss Morris morris dancing troupe, incorporating traditional dance elements as a form of homage and resistance. This visual nod connects to Optimo’s famed Halloween parties at Glasgow’s Sub Club, a venue significant to both the band and McIvor’s legacy.

The band’s frontman Alexis Taylor has contextualized the album within a backdrop of global conflict and societal challenges, acknowledging that while these themes pervade the record, not every song is a direct political commentary. Instead, the atmosphere of the times inevitably influenced the creative process.

Following their previous 2022 release, Freakout/Release, A Long Way From Kansas continues Hot Chip’s evolution, blending electronic textures with more aggressive, punk-inspired energy. Earlier in 2026, the group also appeared alongside actor Oscar Isaac in the Netflix series Beef, while commemorating the 20th anniversary of their 2006 album The Warning.

Hot Chip plans to support the new album with a UK and European tour commencing in February 2027, with concerts slated in major cities including Berlin, Paris, Dublin, Glasgow, and London. Before the tour, the band will honor Keith McIvor with a DJ set at Glasgow’s Sub Club on October 21, reinforcing their connection to the venue and McIvor’s enduring impact.

The track listing for A Long Way From Kansas features songs such as “Stuck Around,” “Waiting Around,” “Random Violence,” “The Mask Is Slipping,” and “Me In Your Head,” the latter showcasing Beth Ditto’s guest vocals. Eddie Chacon appears on “The Garden,” adding to the album’s dynamic range.

As details on the album’s full thematic scope remain emerging, Hot Chip’s latest endeavor appears poised to confront contemporary anxieties through a blend of introspection and sonic experimentation, reaffirming their position as innovators within the electronic music landscape.