Following the breakthrough success of their 2016 effort,
Dissonants, Australian rock quintet
Hands Like Houses evolves into a new beast with fourth album
Anon. Polished and streamlined,
Anon. finds them expanding their scope with fresh tricks and unlikely directions, which could prove especially divisive for longtime fans who favor angsty screaming and punk-metal aggression. Much like contemporaries Bring Me the Horizon, Hands Like Houses do not shy away from the pop end of the spectrum, favoring addictive hooks and radio-friendly production -- provided by
Colin Brittain (
5SOS,
One OK Rock) -- that push their early hardcore tendencies into the background. While there's plenty of familiar heaviness on tracks like the rousing "Monster"; the heavy "Black"; the grunge-indebted (and subtle
Silverchair nod) "Half-hearted"; and the pounding "Tilt," that power and aggression are balanced by frontman
Trenton Woodley's increasingly lustrous vocals and the band's newfound restraint and control. For every shredding riff, there's a layer of glossy atmosphere; for each raspy scream, there's a soaring, singalong chorus. Elsewhere, these changes are pushed even further. On "Kingdom Come," they employ handclaps and shimmering effects ripped straight from BMTH's
That's the Spirit, while on the epic "Bad Dream," they take notes from
Muse's arena-ready playbook, adding propulsive stomp and whimsical effects that could bring a roof down. The most surprising entry on
Anon. is "Through Glass," a gorgeous, midtempo pop gem that recalls
the 1975's "Somebody Else." A brave move on the band's part -- this is the precise moment of potential division for those hardcore fans -- "Through Glass" is a vibrant and emotionally exhilarating standout that is unlike anything they've recorded to date. Like the chrysalis on the album cover, Hands Like Houses are on the cusp of their next phase as a band with
Anon. Setting aside expectations of what's possible for a post-hardcore act, the album is a declarative move that finds the band setting their sights on a wider audience and larger venues. Tightly executed and packed with highlights, they pull it off with ease. ~ Neil Z. Yeung
