EP REVIEW: Hands Like Houses Share Their Self-Titled EP
EP REVIEW: Hands Like Houses Share Their Self-Titled EP
The five-track release shows the five-piece band at their best
Words by: Amanda Marano
Australian rock band Hands Like Houses has just released their self-titled EP. Featuring singles “Space,” “The Water,” and “Dangerous,” the five-track release shows the five-piece band at their raw, emotional, and gritty best.
Starting off strong with “The Water,” the band brings the groove with a dance-inducing melody and intense vocals. The hook riddled track is ripe with longing and nostalgia. The perfect end-of-summer anthem belting, “I said, ‘take me back down to the water, don’t make goodbye any harder / Don’t make it harder than it has to be / This place was never meant for someone like me.”
“Space” is about a toxic relationship with lyrics that contemplate needing space but not being ready to let go of things. Through guitar riffs, rock drums, and grunge elements, “I said I needed some space, ‘Cause I’ve got no time, got no patience, Living in fear and frustration, ‘Cause I’m still on your side, Yeah, I’m still on your side.”
Volatile and explosive, “Dangerous” is full of powerhouse guitar and playful lyrics, the single is paired with a bold and exciting video, full of cool graphics and shots of the band playing. Speaking on the track, lead vocalist Trenton Woodley explains, “Something about this song has always been uncomfortable for me – when we started, ‘Dangerous’ was meant to be playful, confident, even arrogant – but as it came together, it felt like a reflection on frustration and losing control…”
“Stranger” brings a cooler, darker vibe, full of rock and rhythm that can touch even the most outskirt of outsiders. “Wired” leaves you awake and ready for more, somehow moody in its vocals but uplifting in its sound.
The band have kept busy leading up to the album with performances for triple j’s acclaimed Like A Version segment, an exclusive set for Triple M‘s Garage Sessions [alongside the likes of DMAs, Eskimo Joe, Kingswood, Paul Dempsey and more] and energetic live streams. With upcoming Australian live dates in the near future to celebrate the EP, there are exciting times ahead for Hands Like Houses.
Leading up to the recent release, the band shared 2018 single “Monster” and EP single “Dangerous,” which were handpicked to soundtrack the 2020 NRL and AFL finals series, with exclusive performances airing across finals matches, awards and talk shows across the Fox League and Fox Footy networks throughout October.
After forming in 2008, Hands Like Houses signed a record deal in January 2012, and soon after released their first album Ground Dweller in March. They went on to embark on their first US tour, The Freshman Class of ’12 Tour, supporting The Air I Breathe, Palisades and My Ticket Home. They went on to release three more albums and partake in several more sold out tours, setting themselves as one of Australia’s most acclaimed modern rock bands.
