Meg Duffy aka Hand Habits will release a new album called Blue Reminder on 22 August via Fat Possum. They’ve shared the lead single from the project, “Wheel of Change”, saying:
“Both lyrically and in its production, this song is about the impossibility of return—you can’t go back to the way things were, no matter how much you might want to hold on to a time, or a feeling, or a person. Lyrically there’s a kind of desperation (“I need it now more than ever”), but in it there’s also a request, “don’t take it away just yet,” which is not a question but a demand, and I wanted the production to reflect that. That in longing, there can be this sharper, wild edge. Like, no I need this, give it to me, don’t take it away.”
That pushing against the impossible is reflected not only lyrically but in the crunchier and weightier guitar sound used on the track, especially compared to Hand Habits’ folkier early work. Duffy’s preternatural tenderness and poetry is still just as potent here though, as they speak directly to someone they love – perhaps themselves – who is trying to pull back in time, while Duffy aches to hold them in the present – “can’t you see you’re running in space?” they ask. This frustration and desire for them to return to be in the moment gives the song a dynamic push and pull, building to the pivotal plea “I need you now more than ever” in the beautifully fraught chorus, repeating it into the song’s understated and smouldering finale.
The video for “Wheel of Change” was directed by Otium and can be viewed below. You can find the song on streamers.
Hand Habits’ new album Blue Reminder arrives on 22 August via Fat Possum (pre-order/save). You can find Hand Habits on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Tour Dates:
07/09 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Orpheum ^
08/21 – Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy & Harriet’s ~
08/23 – Los Angeles, CA @ 2220
09/19 – Brooklyn, NY @ Public Records
09/20 – New York, NY @ Nightclub 101
09/21 – Washington, DC @ DC9
09/23 – Albany, NY @ Lark Hall
09/24 – Montreal, QC @ POP MONTREAL
09/26 – Toronto, ON @ Sound Garage
09/27 – Ferndale, MI @ Magic Bag
09/28 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
09/30 – Pittsburgh, PA @ The Andy Warhol Museum
10/01 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
10/15 – San Francisco, CA @ The Chapel
10/17 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
10/18 – Vancouver, BC @ Fox Cabaret
10/21 – Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern
10/23 – Healdsburg, CA @ Little Saint
10/30 – Paris, FR @ Le Trianon *
11/03 – Berlin, DE @ Astra Kulturhaus *
11/04 – Hamburg, DE @ Mojo Club *
11/05 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso *
11/07 – Manchester, UK @ New Century Hall *
11/08 – Glasgow, UK @ SWG3 TV Studio *
11/09 – Leeds, UK @ Project House *
11/11 – London, UK @ Roundhouse *
11/12 – Bristol, UK @ Trinity Centre *
11/13 – Dublin, IE @ The National Stadium *
^ supporting Yeah Yeah Yeahs
~ supporting Japanese Breakfast
* supporting Perfume Genius
