Handle: Post-Punk's Disorienting New Language

The Manchester band Handle has released their second album, COLLIDE, presenting a complex and rhythmic form of post-punk. This release builds upon their debut, In Threes, with a sound characterized by unusual percussion, incantatory vocals, and inventive bass lines. Handle's music draws from genres like dance punk and no wave, creating a uniquely disorienting yet compelling listening experience.

The album, COLLIDE, showcases Handle's distinctive sonic palette. Tracks like "Invisible Number" and "Blue & White" feature hypnotic grooves supporting Leo Hermitt's stream-of-consciousness lyrics. Other songs, such as "Difference" and "Slightly Does It," lean into a no-wave style, while "Next" and "Do You?" descend into adventurous sonic explorations.

Despite the apparent chaos, Handle exhibits strong instincts for sound design on COLLIDE. Lead singer and synth player Leo Hermitt's detuned, metallic synth tone is a unifying element throughout the album. The band carefully layers instruments, sometimes recording them as if through walls, and integrates digital distortion, treating these effects as integral parts of the live sound.