Phantom Handshakes - Standing By
Behind the shimmering guitars and delicate melodies of dream pop, there is sometimes a much darker perspective on the world than the music initially suggests. Phantom Handshakes, the New York duo formed by Matt Sklar and Federica Tassano, have always understood this contrast, combining the warmth of indie pop with introspective songwriting. Their new five-track EP, Standing By, released on October 22, 2026, takes that approach further, exploring social indifference, political uncertainty and the gradual erosion of human compassion.
The project began during the spring of 2020, when the Covid-19 lockdown brought the two musicians together through a remote collaboration. Sklar would send instrumental compositions to Tassano, who added her vocals, establishing a creative process that has remained central to their musical identity.
Their debut EP, Be Estranged (2020), introduced a sound characterised by airy guitars, understated rhythms and gently melancholic melodies. This direction continued with No More Summer Songs (2021), A Passport to Remain (2022) and Sirens at Golden Hour (2024), gradually developing into a distinctive combination of dream pop, indie rock and jangle pop, occasionally incorporating the atmospheric textures of shoegaze.
Recorded and mixed independently between the duo's home studios in Manhattan and New Orleans, and mastered by Carl Saff, Standing By retains the intimate production and melodic sensitivity of their earlier releases. Across approximately seventeen minutes, the EP moves between reflective passages and more rhythmically driven compositions, with Tassano's soft, expressive vocals providing a consistent emotional presence.
However, the record's most striking quality lies in its lyrical direction. Rather than focusing primarily on romantic nostalgia or personal memories, Phantom Handshakes examine the contradictions of contemporary society, questioning the ease with which people become passive observers of injustice and conflict.
The opening track, “From The Side,” released as the first single on September 17, introduces this perspective through bright, chiming guitars and a rhythm carrying subtle post-punk influences. Its accessible melody contrasts with lyrics addressing moral complacency and the disturbing tendency to watch society deteriorate without taking action.
“For You” returns to the duo's more contemplative dream pop sound, exploring shifting beliefs, personal disillusionment and the difficulty of reconciling past convictions with present realities. Beneath its apparently intimate title lies a broader reflection on human inconsistency and the consequences of changing loyalties.
The second single, “Wisdom,” offers one of the EP's most poignant moments. Described by the duo as a kind of pagan prayer, the song expresses a longing for greater understanding, generosity and compassion. Its gently layered guitars introduce a subtle shoegaze influence, while the delicate vocals create an almost meditative atmosphere. Despite its underlying concern, the composition preserves a sense of hope.
With “Mid Air,” Phantom Handshakes introduce a brighter, more immediately melodic character. Sparkling jangle pop guitars accompany reflections on youthful freedom, fleeting happiness and the gradual arrival of doubt and regret. The song captures the bittersweet experience of recognising that moments once considered permanent can disappear almost unnoticed.
Closing track “Sonic” brings the EP back towards darker territory, confronting themes of greed, economic conflict, environmental exploitation and the manipulation of religious beliefs. Its lyrical concerns give the record a particularly unsettling conclusion, reinforcing the questions about collective responsibility introduced in the opening song.
Throughout Standing By, Phantom Handshakes demonstrate how effectively contrasting musical and lyrical elements can work together. Their arrangements remain delicate and inviting, built around crystalline guitars, restrained percussion and melodies that recall the softer traditions of independent guitar pop. Yet beneath that apparent serenity lies a growing frustration with the divisions and injustices shaping contemporary life.
The influence of classic dream pop and jangle pop is unmistakable, but Sklar and Tassano avoid treating those styles as exercises in nostalgia. Their music retains a personal, understated quality, allowing the songs to communicate their concerns without resorting to excessive instrumental drama or confrontational performances.
This balance is particularly important to the EP's overall character. The gentle production does not diminish the seriousness of the lyrics; instead, it encourages a more reflective engagement with subjects that might otherwise be expressed through anger or aggression.
Following Sirens at Golden Hour, Standing By represents another thoughtful development in the duo's songwriting, placing greater emphasis on the relationship between individual responsibility and the wider world.
With Standing By, Phantom Handshakes deliver five beautifully understated songs that combine the luminous melodies of dream pop with a quietly unsettling examination of modern society.
It is a reminder that music does not need to be loud to express concern, and that beneath even the most comforting melodies there can be an urgent question about the world we are allowing to emerge.
© Thusblog
