Back in June, I had the privilege of reviewing the latest single by Start-track staples, Phantom Handshakes. The New York City based duo of Federica Tassano and Matt Sklar, create lo-fi dream pop that is steeped in feelings of nostalgia. ‘Good Intentions’ set the bar high for subsequent album, Sirens at Golden Hour; fortunately, that bar was not only met, but was deftly vaulted over.
The best kind of dream-pop is the stuff that takes you back to a time and place you were never present for – Phantom Handshakes do just this. As I mentioned in my previous write up of the band, they are a group that focuses on vibe and beauty. ‘Good Intentions’ is a perfect example of this; a relatively simple song that immediately gets the listener in the mood for what’s to come, showcasing the little hooks and flourishes that separates Phantom Handshakes from their peers. They have a pop sensibility, with an ethereal point of view, making for a purely magnetic charm. ‘It Rains’ is another example of this, though in a notably more subdued expression, bearing resemblance to the best moments of Canadian, fellow dream-poppers, Men I Trust. Phantom Handshakes wields a warmth that can only come from natural instinct. The synths on ‘It Rains’, and the rest of the record for that matter, feel like a hug at the end of a rainy day.
It feels as if Sirens at Golden Hour gets progressively more ethereal as it heads towards it’s climax. ‘Stranger’s Ride’ washes over you, as does the waltzing, ‘All Around’; it’s steady swing is mesmerising, lulling the listener into a hazy, drunken slumber. Final track, ‘Sirens (Tame)’ is as equal parts groovy as it is dreamy. The bass line bounces behind waves of wet synths and loosely firing guitars, concluding in the only way a Phantom Handshakes record can; overwhelming the listener with a wall of sound, making it hard to discern where the track started and finished. It is truly wonderful stuff, with an energy on display that is only pulled off by bands like this one, ones who are so devoted to their genre.
Sirens at Golden Hour is the sound of a band that knows what they’re doing. The album displays Phantom Handshakes at their strongest; a duo so familiar and infatuated with their sound, their seemingly perpetual rise should really be no surprise. Those unfamiliar with Phantom Handshakes, should become acquainted as soon as possible – you are missing out on some of the best music the current DIY scene has to offer.
Written by Callum Folds
