Hand Habits – Sugar the Bruise
Hand Habits are at their most experimental and loose on new EP Sugar the Bruise
Sugar the Bruise is a wonderful example of how to use the EP format. It's different and experimental enough to warrant release, tiding over fans until the next full-length, while demonstrating how Meg Duffy's restless creativity might be channelled in a few new directions. Borne out of a month-long stint teaching songwriting, Duffy found themself out of their comfort zone, and the songs here show what Hand Habits might be when contorted into new shapes.
Gift of the Human Curse is perfectly whimsical, Duffy pushing their vocals into a theatrical range. Andy In Stereo continues the theme, managing to reimagine vaudeville with synths before dropping a bass/drum combo reminiscent of 90s trip-hop. Private Life and The Bust of Nefertiti are more typical of Duffy's direct, confessional style (though the latter buoys the colonial intrigue with some leftfield beats). Between these songs is a dusty, soulful instrumental with a nice touch of brass.
There's a lot happening in just six songs, with too many jarring ideas to fit on a cohesive album, but as a grab-bag of ideas it's an interesting and enjoyable listen. The high-pitched 'wah-wah-wah' or alarming synths may never reappear, but Duffy has shown there's a lot more to Hand Habits than some might give them credit for.
Listen to: Something Wrong, The Bust of Nefertiti