Hand Habits - 'placeholder' — When The Horn Blows

Los Angeles based Hand Habits has released the bittersweet single ‘placeholder’ ahead of their album of the same name set for release in March.

Cutting their teeth as a session guitarist and touring musician, Meg Duffy conveys the assuredness you’d expect from a seasoned professional. The upcoming record will be their second as Hand Habits, a project that began life as a private songwriting outlet before growing into a full band.

You can still feel its roots as a solo project, with the melancholy revelations of ‘placeholder’ feeling deeply personal. Their vocals wash over like the rising tide, as they come to the realisation that the relationship they’re mourning is the fault of both parties. The lyrics are poetic yet direct, granting an immediate emotional connection between artist and listener.

In spite of the sadness of source material, the track has a real warmth to it. It surrounds you in a gentle embrace, like a magnanimous ex-lover giving you one last squeeze before they say goodbye. The guitars take you soaring, but the piano keeps you grounded, lending a profundity to the sorrow that prevents it from becoming Morrissey-like self-pity.

The record certainly won’t be a ‘placeholder’ in the list of albums we’re excited for this year (sorry, had to be done).

Words by Hattie Long

Tour Dates