The World and Ourselves turns 13

Back in 2013, yk records released the debut album from Talking with Hands entitled The World & Ourselves. It’s an explosive dose of pop-rock - confidently wearing the influences of ELO, Jellyfish, AIR, Jon Brion, and their ilk on its sleeve. You could call it power-pop but that’s underselling it.

Talking with Hands is Matthew Smith, a Nashville native that grew up with music all around him and plenty of encouragement to play and create his own. His song “Hot Shit” - from The Shit split EP - actually recalls that life story. The World and Ourselves was not his first ever album but the first under the solo moniker Talking with Hands.

The project has morphed and shifted styles over the last 13 years - an intentional ebbing and flowing of discovery - but The World and Ourselves is where it starts. It’s a well balanced dose of bombastic energy, melancholy observations and memorable euphoria.

If you’ve never heard it, you’re in for a treat. If it’s been awhile, it’s still a great listen.

Happy birthday, Talking with Hands.