News
20 October 2026 – Hot Chip Announce Ninth Album A Long Way From Kansas and Pay Tribute to DJ Twitch With Random Violence
By Editorial Team - October 20, 2026
Summary
British electronic group Hot Chip announce ninth album A Long Way From Kansas, paying heartfelt tribute to Optimo's late JD Twitch on Random Violence.
Key Facts
- Hot Chip announce ninth studio album 'A Long Way From Kansas', due January 8, 2027.
- Lead single 'Random Violence' pays heartfelt tribute to late Optimo DJ Keith McIvor (JD Twitch).
- Album recorded in East London featuring guest appearances by Beth Ditto and Eddie Chacon.
- Entities: Hot Chip, A Long Way From Kansas, Random Violence, Keith McIvor, JD Twitch, Optimo, Joe Goddard, Al Doyle, Felix Martin, Beth Ditto, Eddie Chacon, Jack Cole, Boss Morris, Sub Club, Glasgow, London
- Tags: hot-chip, a-long-way-from-kansas, random-violence, jd-twitch, optimo, electronic, dance, synth-pop
British electronic favourites Hot Chip have announced their ninth studio album A Long Way From Kansas, scheduled for January 8, 2027, and introduced the project with new single "Random Violence". The announcement marks the group's first collection of new studio material since 2022's Freakout/Release, although its members have remained busy with solo projects and collaborations.
"Random Violence" is particularly significant because it pays tribute to Keith McIvor, the influential Scottish DJ better known as JD Twitch, who died in September 2025. McIvor was one half of Optimo, the celebrated Glasgow electronic-music partnership whose adventurous DJ sets helped establish an important connection between underground dance music and alternative culture. Hot Chip's Joe Goddard explained that memories of McIvor and Glasgow's legendary Sub Club inspired much of the composition.
The accompanying video, directed by Jack Cole, features progressive Morris-dancing collective Boss Morris, introducing an unexpectedly traditional visual element to the band's electronic arrangements. The forthcoming eleven-track album was recorded at Goddard and Al Doyle's East London studio and includes guest appearances from Beth Ditto and Eddie Chacon. It also marks the first occasion that band member Felix Martin contributes vocals to a Hot Chip recording. A UK and European tour is planned for 2027, including a major London performance in March.
Hot Chip have spent more than two decades demonstrating that electronic music can be simultaneously intelligent, emotional and wonderfully danceable. "Random Violence" continues that tradition while remembering someone who helped make independent club culture considerably more interesting. Apparently even synthesizers can become unexpectedly sentimental when the right memories are involved. Explore more stories across our electronic portal and browse our full news archive.