The long awaited news of Just Handshakes' debut album is finally with us, Say It will be released on May 20th via Bleeding Gold Records and is available to pre-order now via Bandcamp (Bleeding Gold for US orders) with a limited purple marbled vinyl heading my way soon.
If that and the shimmering excellence of the recently released "London Bound" weren't enough good news for you, we've been treated to another teaser track from the album in the form of the absolutely beautiful "Bright Lights", which plays to the bands softer, melodic side with swirling keys and Clara Patrick's striking, sweetly toned vocals melting hearts as it builds elegantly to a jaunty, percussive finale that leaves me wanting nothing more than to hear that album in full - patience is a virtue I'm yet to master!
I band I fell completely smitten with last year were Just Handshakes (although they had previously featured here back in April 2011). The last six months or so I've been patiently waiting for news of their next release content with listening to their debut 7", demo tape and a sampler CD given to my Clara at a Beautiful Strange gig last year (there are earlier CD singles that I missed out on). Earlier today that wait was over as news reached me of the first single to be taken from their forthcoming debut full length Say It, the wonderful "London Bound"...
The single is one you may have heard previously as a demo on the aforementioned tape, here it comes alive with studio polish and instantly finds a sweet place in your brain with its infectious, swirling melody. Gorgeously contagious "London Bound" glistens with upbeat, indie pop charm amongst rat-a-tat percussion, shimmering keys and jangly guitars whilst Clara's fragile, distinctive vocals resonate with sweet, enduring ease. "London Bound" is a track that perfectly captures the essence of Just Handshakes - consider me excited for more.
London Bound is released digitally via Bleeding Gold Records on Feb 18th with the album, as yet, without a date.
You see some bands with truly, truly terrible names, some so bad that it puts you off listening even if the music ends up being pretty decent. For example, Cold Cave were supported last night by a band named DrumCunt, I've heard they are actually pretty decent but with a name like that I decided to stay in the pub and watch Real Madrid hand a lesson to Tottenham...
Another trend is the increasingly repetitive names you see, if you add 'Wolf', 'Crystal' or 'Club' you are guaranteed to at least get a mention in a hipster mag or two. Basically what those rambling sentences means is that it was really refreshing to see the unique and smirk inducing name of Just Handshakes (We're British) crop up in my mailbox...
I think the band have been around a while but their new EP was my introduction to the Leeds based group, as part of the 'New Adventures in Pop' series (released April 18th via Elefant Records - buy) it is four tracks offering short and concise indie pop greatness; absolutely perfect for a day like today with clear blue skies, Just Handshakes distinctively cute and sunny sound will brighten up an already glorious day with their fun and playful sound, just like music should be (well sometimes).
Lead singer Clara possesses a distinct, dreamy gorgeous voice that might split the mainstream crowd but I really like it, see "Falling Over Our Fear" for a sample of their honey-sweet sound with jaunty, jangling guitars lines and an infectious sing-along chorus it's another slice of C86 revival pop. I think "Downward Spiral" is probably the highlight, sticking with same melodic guitar led formula, embedded by a wonderfully catchy synth, you can just picture yourself having a dance in a field on a warm summers day to this. In Glastonbury this June perhaps?
