Meg Duffy has a voice that cannot be ignored, and with her band Hand Habits, that voice comes through loud and clear. With the debut album from Hand Habits Wildly Idle, it was apparent that Hand Habits was more than a side project, but a fully fleshed out band. Now with the upcoming release of placeholder due in March, Hand Habits proves they’re a force in indie rock that we all need to pay attention to.

The first single, the title track “placeholder” has these subtle nuances that are like glue that you can’t get off of your hands. The way the drums start the slow boil, the guitar coming in like an old friend saying hello, and Duffy’s vocals just swaying in on the track like a calm breeze-it’s all so magical. There’s weight here, which is odd because the song feels airy but not without heft. Duffy has figured out how to dance alongside orchestral instrumentation with ease, while her vocals and the pacing of the song play out like a memory.

With the second single “What Lovers Do,” that sound comes full circle, offering up a mixture of sweetness and sincerity that drip through each note. The vocals almost have a ghostly sound, while the music reminds you of acts like Beth Orton or Aimee Mann. There’s a lot happening here, while the casual listener may not notice the intricacies, the tender song will definitely perk your attention and keep you wanting more.

You can stream the two videos above or on YouTube, you can stream all of the singles on all streaming sites, or you can purchase them on all digital outlets including Bandcamp. You can also pre-order placeholder directly from Saddle Creek Records before its release date of March 01. Hand Habits will be on tour beginning March 22 in Bolinas, CA at Bolinas Community Center until May 25 in Amsterdam, Netherlands for London Calling Festival. A complete list of their tour dates can be found here. 

Image Credits: Photo by Aubrey Trinnamen.