Track of the Day: E.W. Harris – Hammerhands
A singer-songwriter, producer, experimental artist, lover, son, brother and dystopian romantic (his personal favourite), E.W. Harris is defined as numerous things – as we all are, I suppose. Hailing from post-industrial Akron, Ohio (that’s in the USA to be specific), Harris began his musical career approximately 20 years ago in the 1990s. Since then, he has toured heavily across the globe, but now he brings things home with his experimental alt-folk sound. The latest addition to his growing repertoire is the single ‘Hammerhands’.
Coming from his self-dubbed “folktronicist” soundscape, the experimental artist layers shoegaze synths with classic blues, rock and pop in ‘Hammerhands’. I’ll admit when I began listening to ‘Hammerhands’ I was apprehensive. Yet, as I continued to listen, Harris set my soul soaring with his eclectic melody. The tinges of blues and classic soul brought an old-school edginess to the track; however, it was the insertion of 60s pop that made the song truly soothing. Once I hit the mid-point of ‘Harmmerhands’ I was grinning from ear to ear.
Obscure to say the least, E.W. Harris brings a surreal feel to a charming melody. The thing is, while the melodic arrangement can captivate you, the lyrics also bring an eclectic depth. A natural storyteller, E.W. Harris brings an intense intimacy through a heartfelt narrative. He explains that ‘Hammerhands’ is “a story of exile, lost love and longing couched in a story of an alien executioner in the post-apocalyptic future.”
Folk-inspired, but with an ethereal vibe to the hazy soundscape, ‘Hammerhands’ is sincere, sentimental and utterly unique. My only criticism of E.W. Harris and this new single is the length of the song – it isn’t long enough! I can’t wait to hear Harris’ upcoming record Homunculus IV.
For more from E.W. Harris check out his official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
