Brighton five-piece Chop Chop are coming to the Hope & Ruin this month to celebrate the release of their album ‘Everything Looks So Real’ on the newly-formed Rose Hill Records label.

Chop Chop are an enigma and a series of contradictions, managing to combine a fine range of musical genres in an eclectic funky avant-garde sound that combines elements of Can’s Krautrock/jazz, Neu-Noise rock, 70s funk and West African music amongst a variety of other flavours. The new album will cement their growing reputation, with strong message songs like ‘This is Not a Home’ or ‘What is the Question’ and their poignant combination of intensity in emotion and artistry. Led by frontman Xelis de Toro, the band are supertight and talented musicians and Tom Robinson (BBC6) proclaimed their sound “fantastic life affirming noise”. Their gigs are generally energetic, unpredictable and fun. One not to be missed.

Support comes from Map 71, the darkly danceable sounds of Lisa Jayne and Andy Pyne, and the scrawly DIY acid-punk of The Emperors of Ice Cream.

Chop Chop play the Hope & Ruin, Thursday 13th February 2020.

Words and pictures by Jon Southcoasting