Broken Hands are at it again as they release their second album to date, Split in Two. The quintet from Kent originally formed under the name Onlookers at the age of 15 in 2006 but have been going by Broken Hands since 2011. The name came from the 1955 Western film White Feather, after the character Chief Broken Hands. Their debut album Turbulence came after the name change in 2015 and was met with considerable success. They have been ed by the platforms Radio 1, NME, and The Independent, and spent last few years touring the world, sharing the stage with The Rolling Stones, Catfish and The Bottlemen, Black Sabbath, and Blur. Personally, I was lucky enough to see them perform alongside Badflower and Deal Casino last year in London, and I was blown away by their performance.
For some time after the release of Turbulence, Broken Hands would cover the walls of the venues they played with tinfoil to mimic the feeling of being inside a space capsule, a performance they named the “Silver Landing Programme”. It has since been reported that vocalist Dale Norton wasn’t entirely happy with the material they had been performing from their debut album, and that the band had actually been on the verge of breaking up. However, inspiration grabbed hold of them, and they started to create their second album Split in Two.
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The band have been teasing this release since October 2018, when they announced two new songs; “Split in Two”, and “Friends House.” Fans celebrated as the band began to reveal the new album piece by piece, and I have no doubt that they’ll love what’s coming to them as the entire album is released on the 21st of August. The ten-track album still contains the essence of the Broken Hands sound, while also bringing a new, fresher feeling to the table. Throughout each song, the iconic vocals and slow, gripping instrumentals are still there. However, there’s also something more energetic about the songs. The band have said that the songs document the hard times they faced on tour last year – the ups and downs of their experiences – which is interesting when coupled with the fact that the album feels lighter on the ears.
The album opens with “Can You Feel It” – an upbeat and yet, oddly nostalgic, song that immediately tells long-term listeners that this album is something new for them. The song starts with a few chords of a gripping riff played on the electric guitar before the vocals are then introduced. The vocals have always been really interesting with Broken Hands- they almost have a throwback feeling to the 90s grunge era in of tone and sound, whereas the lyrics themselves seem very modern. Fresh. As the song goes through the first verse and chorus, there’s a slight effect on his voice that enhances the grungy nature of their sound- it’s as though he’s singing through an older microphone. Already, the song sounds lighter than anything I heard on their first album, and it feels like I’m listening to music that was enjoyable for the band to create- which is a lovely feeling.
In some songs, you can really feel the touring experiences coming through. Their music takes on a particularly American tone in some songs, such as “Run Away” and “Lazarus.” In “Lazarus,” the lyrics really do carry the intended meaning of documenting some harder times, as does the slower, deeper progression of the instrumentals. The particular line “We would do anything if you let us out, let us out again” feels like someone begging for release. Emotional or otherwise, it’s clear that the band felt like they had something to escape when they were on the road. However, it’s also clear that they managed to do that. As they continue to push past and create the music they want to make, it’s safe to say that they succeeded in their escape.
“Run Away” is one of my favourites on the album. The slow progression of the guitars, the increasing intensity of the vocals, the song builds from start to finish. Infused with an element of Americana-pop, it combines the best from American and British music, creating a song that is both pleasing to the ears and lyrically meaningful. The chorus- “Run, run away,”- has been replaying in my mind since I first listened to it.
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The final song on Split in Two “For The Night” ends the album on a lighter note. The sweet, melodic vocals and plucky guitars create an almost romantic atmosphere as the single begins. The lyrics themselves “I’m sorry for the distance, I thought you’d be okay”- are soft and delicate. It’s almost a love ballad, either to their fans or partners, and is fuelled with emotional intensity. The slow addition of the grunge-based guitar reminds you that you’re listening to a rock song, as do the vocals during the chorus, but overall, it just feels like an ission of emotions on the stage. And, it’s a song that is just truly beautiful.
While I enjoyed their debut album, Broken Hands have embraced a much-needed change of pace in Split in Two. Their songs are lighter, more heartfelt, and draw you in from the first second to the last. Personally, I know that I’ll be listening to “For the Night” and “Run Away” on repeat for a while. Broken Hands have truly grown since their debut album, and their everchanging nature just makes me all the more excited to see where they explore next.
Split in Two is out now
