The latest project from Portugal’s hottest offering is fuelled by a hypnotic drum beat which sets its dark sound ablaze through lyrical heft and an infectious energy.
A sophomore EP which was almost entirely self-produced, the record kicks off with a female voice asking the titular refrain “What do I do with my hands?” before opening track ‘360 DEGREE PALM STRETCH’ sets the tone for the rest of the record, establishing an up-tempo electro-pop sound as soon as you press play.
‘HOLLYWOOD’, the lead single from the EP, features fellow Portuguese artists Herlander and Odete. The energy that exudes from the trio on this track is contagious, with a bouncing beat which you just can’t help but move to. Extrazen has a knack for creating a fluid vibrancy in his songs, something he’s mastered through years of teaching himself instruments and exploring all aspects of the music making process. It’s an effortless brand of confidence which comes from experience, despite this being his first major-label release.
On the EP standout ‘PLASTER ME’, Extrazen narrates overcoming a difficult upbringing [“I said f- the statistics”]. His drive to make music fuels him, and he won’t stop until he sees success; a lyrical theme which spans the record. Extrazen’s delivery succeeds in presenting this self-imposed pressure as admirable – rousing, even – rather than corny, which is particularly prominent when he speaks directly to his fans with lines like “Don’t let anybody tell you what you can or can’t do.”
Away from the record’s highpoints, however, there are a handful of tracks where Extrazen takes his foot off the pedal. Where ‘MEANING’ should stand as an attention-grabbing moment, the EP stays fast-paced for a few moments too long and the gear shift comes a little too late in the day by the time that they reach this slower track. Ironically, the ‘meaning’ of the track is lost in the motion blur which should be his signature (visually and sonically).
On the whole, WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR HANDS is an enjoyable listen that alt-pop fans will return to time and time again. With technical expertise and a slick delivery, the potential here can’t be denied and it wouldn’t at all be surprising to see Extrazen as the next musician to see a meteoric rise.
featured image: Tiago Pestana
