Hands Like Houses – Hands Like Houses (EP Review)

Posted on October 23, 2020 by Ebony Story

Hands Like Houses – Hands Like Houses
Released: October 23, 2020

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I’ve been a fan of Hands Like Houses since I heard ‘Introduced Species’ on their 2013 album Unimagine, and then crowdsurfing during that same song at their 2018 UNIFY appearance pretty much topped off that weekend for me. So, yeah, I think they’re pretty cool. Their progression over the years has been absolutely mint to hear, but it’s with this EP that they’ve really caught my eye.

It’s self titled, incorporates Auslan for the hearing impaired (see our interview with Trenton for more info on that), and just has an addictive quality about it.

We kick everything off with ‘The Water’ and it’s catchy in an indie rock/pop kind of way. The bouncy riffs keep it light, even if the lyrics hint at something heavier, and Trenton Woodley’s vocals are just so upbeat.

‘Space’ was the first single released and is definitely my favourite on the EP. It feels atmospheric, emotional, and has just enough hardness where it’s needed. Live, I reckon this chorus has the potential to get heavy, or maybe it’s just me wanting to yell ‘I need space’ as loudly as possible.

‘Dangerous’ could be an alt rock party song, it’s a little dancey number, but ‘Wired’ gives off a moody vibe. If we could isolate the vocals it could come across as a darker song, but the music behind the vocals really lifts the song—the riffs in there are absolute gems.

And then all too soon we’re at the last song! ‘Stranger’ oozes coolness. Is it the chorus? The quirky, rocky melody? The attitude in the vocal delivery? You know, I don’t know, but to quote Hands Like Houses themselves, ‘I fucking love it’.

This EP is gold all the way through. Is this a new era of Hands Like Houses? Because their self-titled EP is a yes from me.