Since their inception, Australian outfit Hands Like Houses have never been short of fans. They’ve consistently produced outstanding albums, in the form of ‘Ground Dweller’ and ‘Unimagine’, and have toured the world over, sharing stages with the likes of Pierce the Veil, Sleeping With Sirens, Slaves, and more, as well as having played Warped Tour. So when they announced that they’d gone back into the studio with Erik Ron to work on their third album, ‘Dissonants’, expectations were high – and they haven’t failed to deliver.
‘I Am’ rips through with technical riffs and a roaring chorus; it’s no wonder that it went down so well when it was released as a single. It’s a risky move to put such a good single as the opening track, but it’s a move that Hands Like Houses manage to pull off. And that’s not the only thing they pull off. Tracks like ‘Perspectives’ and ‘New Romantics’ are astounding and huge in their energy, while ‘Colourblind’ sees Hands Like Houses bring out their experimental work in all its glory; synths and programming make the chorus stand out, alongside with lyrics such as “We are the sickness and the symptom and the cure.”
Each riff they dish out is vibrant and dynamic. Closing track ‘Bloodlines’ simply screams with power – the drum work is thunderous, whilst the adrenaline that runs through each note burns and blisters. ‘Division Symbols’ is emotional, yet retains plenty of bite with their spiky riffs.
With every new track, frontman Trenton Woodley’s vocals shine through. They’re huge and staggering; ‘Stillwater’ sees him push his vocal range, reaching brand new heights. In ‘Glasshouse’, his whispered vocals are still just as powerful, despite the difference in volume and tempo when compared to earlier tracks. Either way, his vocals simply soar and see Trenton cement his place as one of the best and most genuine vocalists within the alternative rock scene.
Hands Like Houses have, again, delivered another awe-inspiring album in the form of ‘Dissonants’. Each track is huge and is delivered with finesse and grace, something that Hands Like Houses are able to do time and time again. In short, this album is absolutely stunning.
JESS TAGLIANI