New Chemical Brothers Album Due in January

Genre-defining techno duo The Chemical Brothers have been on a break of sorts since 2002's Come With Us, but a recent update on their official website reveals that the pair are getting ready to release a new album early next year. Push the Button will be the group's fifth full-length of new material since their 1995 debut, Exit Planet Dust, and is currently set for a January 24th release in England, with a Stateside street date expected the following day.

The site boldly trumpets Push the Button as "an immense and brooding album that looks set to once again revitalize dance music into 2005 and beyond, marking more than ten years of relevance in clubland." Frankly, we'd settle for just a pleasant return to form. No firm tracklist has been given for the upcoming effort, although a new single will proceed the disc's release by a week. "Galvanize" features vocals by Q-Tip, and is described by the band's website as "a full blooded pulsing dancefloor anthem." The single will see a UK street date of January 17th.

The Brothers (note the capitalization-- it's strictly a Chemical relation, not a blood one) are also set to support the album with a handful of shows taking place in early 2005. Starting off the New Year with a special London concert, the twosome will venture down under for a seven-date trek through New Zealand and Australia, as a part of the annual Big Day Out festival. Travel plans:

12-31 London, England - Turnmills
01-21 Auckland, New Zealand - Auckland Ericsson Stadium (Big Day Out)
01-23 Gold Coast, Australia - Gold Coast Parklands (Big Day Out)
01-26 Sydney, Australia - Sydney Showground (Big Day Out)
01-30 Melbourne, Australia - Melbourne Ras Showgrounds (Big Day Out)
02-04 Adelaide, Australia - Royal Adelaide Showground (Big Day Out)
02-06 Perth, Australia - Claremont Showgrounds (Big Day Out)