Just Handshakes (We’re British) – New Adventures in pop

Stream – ‘Downward spiral’

The lovely people from Just Handshakes (We’re British) are back, with more of their dreamy pop in tow (probably in a red wagon – they rule). This new 7 ” maxi-single (well, it’s four songs) is filled with their usual lovely tunes, with a few rocky moments sparsely popping their heads and joining the chorus.

Side A kickstarts (gently) with ‘Falling over our fear’, a bubbly song with all the elements that Just Handshakes (We’re British) have enjoyed doing: a longing voice, a playful bass, the jangly guitar and a firm drumming. No wonder it’s the first song in the single, it’s a nice, reassuring welcoming mat. The little bridge before the chorus is brilliant. ‘Black and blue’ follows the friendliness with the rhythm again being like a peaceful stroll on a Sunday. A very optimistic song.

Side B, in old school tradition, changes the pace a bit. The song is called ‘Brakes’ and iby no means does this one has the band dropping the happy façade and start playing power metal while praying to Tezcatlipoca, it’s just that the previous optimism seems to have been replaced with another feeling altogether. The bitter with the sweet, the dream with the waking up, the longing with the reality. Distance, time, you name it. Something changed.

But enough time in the shade of forlorn, how about something more rocky? Starting slightly surf rock and going for some cool arpeggio workout in the verse part, ‘Downward spiral’ is easily the liveliest of all the tracks in this lovely 7″. If we follow the “this music is dreamy” train of thought, then this last song would be the moment you realise you shouldn’t have pressed “snooze” that second time.

A great 7″ from this band, let’s hope an album isn’t too far in the distance. New adventures in Pop is out on the 18th, but you can listen to it in their Bandcamp link (check the links section provided).

—Sam

Links:

Tumblr. Facebook. Twitter. Bandcamp. Spotify. Myspace. Bigcartel.

About the author: Ed, the bass player for JH(WB) is a fan of port and Electrelane. I wish I was that classy.