Music: Shaking Hand – “Night Owl”: Manchester’s Dream-Infused Post-Rock Indulgence

Shaking Hand are a **three-piece alternative/post-rock/emo band from Manchester, UK, crafting music that sits beautifully between introspective ambience and indie rock tension. Their self-titled debut album, released on 16 January 2026 via Melodic Records, draws from early post-rock, ‘90s US alternative, and Northwest emo influences — evoking bands like Slint, Pavement, and Yo La Tengo while still forging their own hypnotic sound identity.

Formed around a core of friends who honed their sound amid Manchester’s evolving city landscape, the trio — George Hunter (vocals, guitar), Freddie Hunter (drums), and Ellis Hodgkiss (bass) — build songs with dynamic contrasts, delicate interplay, and immersive atmosphere. Their music thrives on tension and release, quiet moments swelling into intense waves of sound that feel emotional, honest, and richly textured.

“Night Owl” is a standout track from Shaking Hand’s debut album that blends jangling guitars, evocative rhythms, and introspective songwriting into a late-night sonic journey. The song weaves gentle, melodic passages with subtle surges of intensity, capturing a sense of quiet contemplation — like wandering through a city after dark, alternating between solitude and fleeting sparks of emotional clarity.

With its atmospheric vibe and thoughtful structure, “Night Owl” exemplifies how Shaking Hand balance post-rock expansiveness with heartfelt indie expression — a track that feels both meditative and alive in its subtleties.

Band Page: https://www.instagram.com/shaking__hand