Back in what now seems like the very dim and distant past (2009) I came across the name of a new Leeds based band – Just Handshakes We’re British. The moniker made me smile, and I investigated. Just as twee and homely as their name, the band play sweet and syrupy pop, full of succinct and crisp choruses and disjointed yet harmonious melodies. Capturing the obscurities and complexities of life via a summer tinged paint box they have an unabashedly vintage vibe going on, all C86 and cassettes. They are back, and have grown up slightly, not losing their youthful exuberance but packaging it in a slightly more sophisticated way. New album Say It has been the focus of more production time and technology than before, but rather than becoming too slick and manufactured, the result is a more compounded blend of shimmering, bittersweet dream-pop that indicates a maturity in the band and musical direction, whilst retaining their early honesty and quirkiness. The band will be announcing a mini tour later this year following its release, and will be playing in Brighton, Sheffield, London and Newcastle in the coming months.