EP Review/ Rock : Griffen Handshake’s ‘Three Strikes and You’re Out’

Griffen Handshake is an alternative rock band that is big on the saying, ‘Go hard or go home’. Their riffs, basslines, and beats are designed to drift, to drive the listener to spheres of cerebral highs and stimulations. Even stylistically, the grooves, the melody lines, and the breaks are hardcore. They do explore alt elements and they do it with grandeur, charisma, and an electric power. 

Their latest release is the ‘Three Strikes and You’re Out EP’, a collection that flows like an ultimatum. The title track’s riffs and beats are relentless like torrential rain. They keep falling, with momentum and madness, a passionate punk-powered, garage rock/ hard rock song. There are moments of light whimsy that change the mood from intense to playful; reminiscent of Queen, both in style and delivery. 

We see these drastic contrasts, stylistic dimensions in most tracks. In ‘Morgan’ the beat is a little more bolstered with chromatic melodies, synth pop influences, and pop rock anthems. In ‘Kicking Rocks’, we see performative vocals built up by riffs, basslines and beats. It’ll perhaps remind you of Panic! At the Disco, especially in how ardent the vocal expression is. 

‘Unclear’ has a little bit of everything. Soulful vocals, melodic rock riffs with a bluesy cast. Streaks of passion run hot in the chorus, vivid and remarkable. There’s even some soft piano melodies that break the heat. ‘Wings’ concludes the album. The vocals are reflective, expressive, and contemplative. There is an intimacy in it. And it is carried by the wild ocean of instrumentals, harmonies. Each arc has a crescendo, an apex that the guitar spectacularly drives to, an exhilarating peak to jump off of. It is cathartic, liberating, and a great culmination to a grand EP. Listen Now!

The EP is available for streaming on popular sites like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music! 

You can listen to ‘Three Strikes and You’re Out’ by Griffen Handshake here -