Hot Thoughts
by Spoon
  • Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Mar 17, 2017
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 94 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 84 out of 94
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 94
  3. Negative: 6 out of 94
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  1. gorinilo1
    Jul 21, 2017
    0
    this is a horrible cd, this brand produces nothing but garbage, they are extremely overrated, linkin park and lil wayne are much better than these frauds!
  2. BlownSpeakers
    Jun 21, 2017
    8
    It’s hard to believe indie rock greats, Spoon, have been around for over 20 years, considering that bands five years their junior are already embarking on “classic” album tours. To put it simply, Spoon has yet to cash in on their "classics" because their latest output, despite the band's age, is still good. Although their last two LPs, Transference and They Want My Soul, felt a bit tooIt’s hard to believe indie rock greats, Spoon, have been around for over 20 years, considering that bands five years their junior are already embarking on “classic” album tours. To put it simply, Spoon has yet to cash in on their "classics" because their latest output, despite the band's age, is still good. Although their last two LPs, Transference and They Want My Soul, felt a bit too familiar, it still saw the band staying relevant in a time where many of their contemporaries disappeared into obscurity. Their latest release, Hot Thoughts, is a refreshing change of pace in that it’s a majorly up-tempo affair that focuses its efforts entirely on mood and groove.

    Spoon are no strangers to throwing in a couple of dancey tracks that “hit [you] like a tom” on their albums, but on their latest record they seem to be making it their major. A lot of these up-tempo numbers tastefully sugar its propulsive rhythm with tropical instrumentation, giving the album a pastel colored punch. Just listen to “Last Caress” and “Hot Thoughts” and try not to get up and bust a move (and if you’re me- bust your ass shortly afterwards). In contrast, “Do I Have To Talk You Into It,” slows things down to caveman-like waltz, but is so buried in groove that it'd take a gravedigger to unearth Britt Daniel and company.

    On every Spoon album, there’s always at least one song that dedicates itself entirely to atmosphere. These songs employ what I’ve come to coin as the Ghost of You Lingers Method. Before some knowledge is dropped on your beautiful face, first revisit the Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga classic.

    As you can imply, these types of songs are chorus-less, driven by a simple, repetitive melody whose sole purpose is to set a particular mood. As they progress, various instrumentation/vocals will be added in, piece by piece, in such a way that the track ends up feeling much bigger than it did in its outset. “Pink Up” and “Whisper…” employ this method to varying degrees. The latter follows a looped electronic for a while until eventually breaking into conventional guitar/drum interplay, while the former spends its entirety contemplating in its sultry, yet mysterious atmosphere. Nonetheless, interspersing these atmospheric songs between the more conventional ones gives the album a greater space to breathe.

    The problems with this record are minimal. There are certain artistic choices that might raise an eyebrow, e.g. the mechanical drumming on “I Ain’t The One,” but they’re easy to look past. The bigger problem comes with the tracks that waste their momentum. “Can I Sit Next To You” would be a funky romp if it wasn't stuck in lyrical limbo, with Daniel forever declaring how he’s going to “get kicks in the night” and “walk a tight rope." “Shotgun” on the other hand, comes up short musically. It gallops with great fervor, but because it doesn’t vary its sounds, does so without a destination in mind.

    It doesn’t feel that long ago, I was laying in my bed obnoxiously singing along to “Japanese Cigarette Case,” for what seemed like the billionth time to my Freshman year roommates (sorry Marcus and Brad). Although Hot Thoughts might not feel as anthemic as some of their greater works, it will still have you playing your favorite tracks on infinite repeat to someone's dismay. Overall, this vibrant, energetic sound is a welcome push in a new direction for the band. Hopefully, it's more than enough to keep them from embarking on that nostalgia tour for another couple of years.    … Expand
  3. Music_Observer
    May 16, 2017
    7
    This album doesn’t go too far in any direction of extreme significance within its layers, but their consistent blend of electric guitars and synthetic textures produce quite a few decent songs, despite not being able to find true catchiness in a setting that called for it. My Score: 126/180 (Good) = 7/10
  4. jotaeseche
    Apr 30, 2017
    8
    Few other records manage to concoct rock and electronic music that effortlessly than Hot Thoughts. Each track is the vivid proof of some pretty well-executed and produced idea and, above all, just people who know how to do things having real fun together.
  5. triple_co
    Mar 22, 2017
    8
    As a big fan of Spoon's last record, 'They Want My Soul', I was immensely excited for this release. The first single 'Hot Thoughts' came out in January and I was immediately hooked on the direction the band appear to have taken on this new record. I'd hoped they'd expand on some of the sonic choices made on the previous album and, thankfully, they've done just that.

    This is a mix of    As a big fan of Spoon's last record, 'They Want My Soul', I was immensely excited for this release. The first single 'Hot Thoughts' came out in January and I was immediately hooked on the direction the band appear to have taken on this new record. I'd hoped they'd expand on some of the sonic choices made on the previous album and, thankfully, they've done just that.

    This is a mix of classic indie rock music with a undercurrent of dark, electronic-influenced sound. It's easily accessible but rewarding with repeated listens. Spoon have taken multiple different sounds and merged them together to create a consistent, exciting album, one that provides foot-tapping rhythm with an edge that draws you back again and again. The best examples of this are on 'Can I Sit Next To You' and 'I Ain't The One'.

    They're best release to date, in my opinion. Well worth your time.    … Expand
  6. molecular
    Mar 20, 2017
    10
    It is very exciting to hear Spoon constantly evolving on every new album (especially after 20+ years.) They strike a great balance of experimentation and accessibility on Hot Thoughts and Dave Fridmann's production is layered but subtle. The best band in America? Yes.
  7. Paulo_Jorge
    Mar 17, 2017
    9
    I hate when guys like Mojo, A.V. Club and DIY Magazine f*ck up some great albums. This is Spoon's finest and more experimental album since Ga Ga Ga Ga, which released a decade ago. Despite They Want My Soul being catchier than it, Hot Thoughts exceeds expectations in songs like "WhisperIlllistentohearit", "Pink Up" and "Us" Spoon adventures through different sounds but maintaining theirI hate when guys like Mojo, A.V. Club and DIY Magazine f*ck up some great albums. This is Spoon's finest and more experimental album since Ga Ga Ga Ga, which released a decade ago. Despite They Want My Soul being catchier than it, Hot Thoughts exceeds expectations in songs like "WhisperIlllistentohearit", "Pink Up" and "Us" Spoon adventures through different sounds but maintaining their identity as well.

    Hot Thoughts it's not a masterpiece, it's maybe the 3rd or 4th best album in Spoon's carreer, but it still one of the best indie rock albums I've head in a long time, as always, Spoon is maintaining their solid carreer with another solid album.    … Expand
  8. PaulAndrews
    Mar 17, 2017
    10
    Spoon just keeps getting better and better! Standout tracks aside (and they're phenomenal), it's the un-typical Spoon tracks that get me. And also, the last track IS NOT a weak Radiohead ripoff (cough cough, Mappes' terrible review and harbinger of Pitchfork's long-foreseen demise) it's bloody beautiful Britt & co.
    And btw, what's with the "small stakes" refs all over the place for this    Spoon just keeps getting better and better! Standout tracks aside (and they're phenomenal), it's the un-typical Spoon tracks that get me. And also, the last track IS NOT a weak Radiohead ripoff (cough cough, Mappes' terrible review and harbinger of Pitchfork's long-foreseen demise) it's bloody beautiful Britt & co.
    And btw, what's with the "small stakes" refs all over the place for this album? Spoon has been life-and-death stakes since Kill the Moonlight! Don't read reviews, go to shows. See Britt jump. Jump Britt. Jump.    … Collapse
  9. buzzlight
    Mar 17, 2017
    9
    This is a beautiful and dark album. The song I Ain't The One is my favorite in the mix, moody and sad but sticks like glue. The drum beats and keyboard sound vintage goth or new wave, but with a dose of funk. No doubt stand outs are Hot Thoughts, WhisperI'lllistentohearit,, Do I Have to Talk You Into It and Can I Sit Next to You. Songs Pink Up and Us offer up tranquil mostlyThis is a beautiful and dark album. The song I Ain't The One is my favorite in the mix, moody and sad but sticks like glue. The drum beats and keyboard sound vintage goth or new wave, but with a dose of funk. No doubt stand outs are Hot Thoughts, WhisperI'lllistentohearit,, Do I Have to Talk You Into It and Can I Sit Next to You. Songs Pink Up and Us offer up tranquil mostly instrumental pleasures never heard before on Spoon albums. I believe Alex Fischel and Dave Fridmann at really contributing to these new sounds. Thank you Britt and Spoon for keeping it fresh and glorious, every album. Listen to this album at night, sitting in the rain with the Northern Lights on the horizon.… Expand
  10. midnightmyth
    Mar 17, 2017
    10
    Spoon's latest LP is packed with surprises yet remains familiar. Draws on the simple yet stunning melodies that rocked their early career and pulls from more modern influences. Drumbeats that feel hip-hoppy, electronic manipulation that puts us in the Radiohead world, and a haunting sax to close the whole thing out. But there's no denying it's Spoon through and through. Best songs includeSpoon's latest LP is packed with surprises yet remains familiar. Draws on the simple yet stunning melodies that rocked their early career and pulls from more modern influences. Drumbeats that feel hip-hoppy, electronic manipulation that puts us in the Radiohead world, and a haunting sax to close the whole thing out. But there's no denying it's Spoon through and through. Best songs include "Do I Have to Talk You into It?" and "Tear It Down." Makes me want to get up and dance. Waiting for that final song "Us" to end up in the Twin Peaks revival.… Expand
  11. heisenbergsfan
    Mar 17, 2017
    10
    Spoon has always been consistent, that is no surprise. For this new record, I knew it wasn't going to be a challenge for Spoon to right a great, tight, catchy rock record. However, deep down, I was hoping they would venture out just a bit farther with their sound. Songs like "Inside Out" and "New York Kiss" on their previous record gave hints of their new synth, dance-inspired sound and ISpoon has always been consistent, that is no surprise. For this new record, I knew it wasn't going to be a challenge for Spoon to right a great, tight, catchy rock record. However, deep down, I was hoping they would venture out just a bit farther with their sound. Songs like "Inside Out" and "New York Kiss" on their previous record gave hints of their new synth, dance-inspired sound and I am more than happy that they explored it too its fullest on this record. With soundscapes evoking the best of Bowie and Radiohead, this is Spoon's most adventurous and vibrant record in their 20+ year career. Going from tracks like the mellow "I Ain't the One," to the groovy "Do I Have to Talk You Into It," all the way to the mesmerizing atmospherics of "Pink Up" and "Us," this record again shows Spoon's ability to tastefully adapt and experiment with new sounds while still crafting pockets of delicious pop goodness. Some of you rock purists or Spoon traditionalists might dislike this record for all this brand new sonic direction but like all great artists, Spoon needs to evolve. This is just their biggest step yet and whether or not you like it, you have to commend them for pulling it off with such confidence and integrity. Yet again, Spoon has proved to be amongst the finest that rock has to offer this generation.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

92
#92 Most Discussed Album of 2017
8
#8 Most Shared Album of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. No Ripcord
    Apr 20, 2017
    80
    The whole record is crafted with an air of distrust, but its execution is surgically precise. Spoon’s stream of critical acclaim shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.
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  2. Magnet
    Apr 14, 2017
    90
    The album, fun though it is, also burns with anger and tension. It's another way Spoon throws into sharp relief what there--and what's not. [No. 141, p.51]
  3. Chicago Tribune
    Mar 24, 2017
    88
    This is not a dilettantish push into the unknown. Spoon has been heading in this direction for years, and in many ways Hot Thoughts is the payoff.
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