Sleaford Mods and Hot Chip have joined forces for a collaborative double single – listen to ‘Nom Nom Nom’ and ‘Cat Burglar’ below.
The two bands released the songs today (November 26) as a seven-inch vinyl and on streaming platforms via Friendly Records in aid of War Child. Both tracks were recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London.
The London group (fronted by Alexis Taylor) invited the Nottingham duo (comprising Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn) down to take part in one of Abbey Road’s innovative and groundbreaking Lock-In Sessions – which has been captured in a short film.
Lead track ‘Nom Nom Nom’ combines “both acts’ best characteristics, creating a suave yet edgy groove that is as happy on the dancefloor as it is in the mosh-pit”, per a press release.
Speaking about the ‘Hot Mods’ collab, Williamson explained: “On the day we went in cold and just handed ourselves over to it. ‘Nom Nom Nom’ is a lyrical continuation from our album ‘UK Grim’ [2023] over Andrew’s keyboard riff, built on by Hot Chip and finishing up with an excellent chorus from Alexis.”
The vocalist went on to describe ‘Cat Burglar’ as “a weird prog rock meets B52s jam that explores the narrow corridors of modern human experience”.
Hot Chip added: “Making these songs over the course of one day at Abbey Road was a great experience.
“We arrived without a plan but quickly began working together in a harmonious way, with lots of improvisation and very little ego. We are very grateful to Sleaford Mods for joining us and very proud of the result.”
Sleaford Mods decided the tracks would be perfect when Friendly Records approached them to participate in their project with War Child. Artist David Shrigley OBE has created the artwork for the single.
Williamson continued: “The cover art from the great David Shrigley is the cherry on the cake, as it perfectly represents the music and lyrics.
“All creativity aside, most importantly we’ve donated the tunes to War Child. They’re doing important work in a time where the world is in chaos and although we can’t fix the chaos, we can do a bit to help.”
Mark Robertson, Abbey Road’s Head Of Brand, said: “Bringing Hot Chip and Sleaford Mods together for the first time saw the two bands use the studio as a creative playroom without boundaries. What an amazing day of creativity and collaboration.”
He added: “The resulting music is that rare thing – something truly unique that somehow blends the signatures of both bands while creating something new, vibrant and essential.”
Hot Mods’ ‘Nom Nom Nom’ and ‘Cat Burglar’ are available on a transparent seven-inch vinyl – which is limited to 1,000 copies, priced at £20. Alternatively, fans can purchase the record on red vinyl (limited to 100 copies) at the Friendly Records shop in Bristol for £30. Buy here.
War Child said: “We’re so grateful to the ongoing support from Sleaford Mods and to both bands for donating the fantastic tracks ‘Nom Nom Nom’ and ‘Cat Burglar’, and David Shrigley for the brilliant design.
“The world is more dangerous than ever before to be a child affected by conflict and the continued generosity of the artists we work with enables us to get children safe, deliver the vital mental health first aid they need to help them deal with the trauma they’ve experienced and get them back into education.
“This is the fourth seven-inch Tom, Scott and the incredible team at Friendly Records have put on for us and all proceeds go directly to War Child to help us make a difference for some of the most vulnerable children on the planet. We’re deeply thankful for the generosity of everyone involved and can’t wait for you to hear it.”
Friendly Records explained: “We’ve been working with War Child for a few years now and we are immensely proud of the shows we’ve put on with them, the recent run of seven-inch singles we’ve released and most of all the amount of money that’s been raised.”
You can watch Hot Mods’ Lock-In Session film above.
Mods frontman Williamson mentioned the duo’s collaboration with Hot Chip during an interview with NME last month. “It really works!” he said at the time, before confirming that the team-up would arrive in November.
He also revealed that Sleaford Mods were “starting a new album”, adding: “We’ve had a few sessions already. Things aren’t so much shaping up; it takes a while to get back into the groove of it.
“You always go in with: ‘I wanna try this, I wanna try that.’ And you try it and it doesn’t quite work, so eventually you go back to the formula but there is all of this subconscious change – life, I guess – that then applies itself to the formula, and it then changes. Not massively, but it shifts along. So it’s like a chemistry lesson!”
Williamson went on: “I wanna go rap-centric, or rant. It’s just gonna be blocks of shouting again – as per usual! [Laughs] You learn to fall in love again with the formula. I’m lucky I’ve got Andrew Fearn, really. His music is like a whole universe of selection. It’s like getting into a spaceship and taking your pick for two weeks!”
Sleaford Mods are currently out on an intimate UK tour – find any remaining tickets here.
