Hand Habits – Fun House

Meg Duffy is first and foremost a collaborator. The LA-based musician, also known as Hand Habits, is a stalwart of the indie music scene, having toured and recorded with the likes of Kevin Morby, Sylvan Esso and The War On Drugs. 

It make sense then that Duffy would bring that collaborative spirit into their own work. Their dazzling third LP, Fun House, was fleshed out alongside producer Sasami Ashworth (SASAMI) and musician Kyle Thomas – Duffy’s housemates during the pandemic – and also features a duet with Perfume Genius. Easily Duffy’s most adventurous collection of songs yet, the record explodes into being with two outstanding opening tracks. More Than Love is a foot-tapping, Springsteen-referencing instant obsession, followed up by the tightly-wound and beautifully layered Aquamarine. 

But Fun House’s intrigue lies in its continually shifting emotions and energies. From the surety of Aquamarine to the simple vulnerability of Graves, Duffy strikes an irresistible balance between sorrow and joy, once again displaying their knack for dressing stark trauma in infectious beats and major chords. Whether a coping mechanism or an inside joke, the result is truly exciting music that is also uniquely heartbreaking.

Listen to: More Than Love, Aquamarine, Clean Air