So this is actually quite exciting – Alexis Taylor, head of Hot Chip obviously, dropped some new solo recordings last week. An EP titled Nayim from the Halfway Line – which is a bit of a peculiar title. Surely, you will recall 1995’s UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup Final between Arsenal London and spanish side Real Zaragoza. With the match tied after 90 minutes it went into overtime and Nayim scored the winning goal for Zaragoza in the final minute of the game: beating Arsenal’s David Seaman from the halfway line (btw, HOW good is David Seaman’s pose after the fact?! Casual.). Ever since, ‘Nayim from the halfway line’ is a popular taunt among Tottenham Hotspur supporters directed at their North London rivals. So if Alexis Taylor isn’t a closet Spurs fan, this might just be the most randomly-named release.
However, this EP is more than just a slap in the Gunners’ faces. Four great tracks, all single-handedly produced by Mr Taylor himself. There is this special groove to it that certainly marks a lot of Hot Chip’s productions too, which I guess is little surprising. So overall, it feels a bit like an experimental Hot Chip EP. Which is great. I really enjoy Alexis Taylor’s solo efforts. He released a full album in 2008 – which I’m not sure created that much attention. This song Baby from it is pure bliss, check it out.
Back to this new football-influenced EP though. Four great songs that’ll be stuck in your head. Nayim from the Halfway Line is out now on Domino as a 12 inch, stream in full below.
