Instrumentals rarely become hits, but once they do, their staying power is undeniable. "Green Onions" (Booker T. & The MG's), "Frankenstein" (Edgar Winter) and "Pick Up The Pieces" (Average White Band) are just a few examples that come to mind.
Modern equivalents are hard to come by, so the immediacy and irresistible groove of "Cream On Chrome" — by the New York City duo Ratatat — earns bonus points for proving that with the right alchemic mixture of a propulsive beat, hooky guitars and a touch of synthesizer, instrumentals can be earworms, too. Press play and prepare to want to ditch work, hop in your convertible and take a high-speed drive down a long highway, with this on repeat.
The fifth Ratatat album is due this summer, via XL Recordings.
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