ALBUM REVIEW: Between Bodies – Hands To Hold Each Other

‘…unquestionably a contender for 2026 Album of the Year, standing at the very forefront of Germany’s DIY punk and emo scene…’

Based out of Cologne, and further built from members from Toronto and Paderborn, Between Bodies have been involved within the expanding German DIY alternative scene since 2019, with the release of their debut EP ‘On Fences‘. September 2022 would see the band follow this up with their debut LP, ‘Electric Sleep‘, accompanied by years of steady but extensive touring around Germany, including shows with latest pop-punk breakout stars Shoreline, and late alternative rock legends You Me At Six. At long last, last month saw the band release their sophomore full-length.

‘Hands to Hold Each Other‘ is an instant modern pop-punk classic that thoroughly deserves both your attention and affection. Between the spirited melodies, heartfelt lyricism, and surprisingly intricate musicianship, Between Bodies have constructed a fantastically cinematic listen that feels like the communal diary of a working class community in a post-industrial western city. It is bright, bold, and bittersweet, bursting with hopes and dreams as the record leaps from one sparkling anthem to the next, never losing momentum.

One of the few moments of quiet contemplation on this record is served to us with the introductory number, ‘Water As A Metaphor’, as the band immediately lay down the record’s core theme: if sorrow is inevitable and all consuming, then must be joy. Then, the record bursts forth with the simply incredible ‘Waves’, serving as a display of the modus operandi; the hooks are so infectious they ought to be quarantined, the melodies and harmonies are gloriously radiant, and the musicianship is complex without ever losing emo’s humble heart.

‘Annie (21st Century Working Class)’ and ‘Milli Writes on Hotel Walls‘ are both immediately superb examples of Between Bodies’ capacity for story telling, with brilliantly infectious and bittersweet melodies bringing to life these individuals and the world that they live in. A backdrop of reckless youth, broken dreams, and political unrest sparkles with a grim sense of charm, as if Between Bodies have constructed a musical set in the throes of 80’s conservatism and the collapse of blue-collar working towns. ‘False Start‘ is crackling number that perfectly encapsulates the bitter sensation of living a life far from what you had dreamed of, both on a personal and a societal level. Between Bodies approach the track by taking a pop-punk sound and constructing it with a somewhat subdued nature, which permits the emotional weight to really hit home; the choruses have something of a power-pop shine beneath their melancholic overtones, and feature some of the strongest melodies across the record’s entirety.

‘Bathroom Floor‘ is a wickedly fun pop-punk anthem that perfectly captures the sentiment of trying to crawl back into your own life, after years of falling out of step with the world and those you love. The drumming thunders with life, charging forwards beneath thick bass lines and twanging guitar work, whilst the gang vocals burst with a desperate hope. ‘I Wanted To Tell You‘ takes a far more vulnerable yet delicately optimistic approach to a similar theme, building from gentle indie-rock ruminations towards a towering, cinematic climax. The challenge of understanding one’s own self, and the shadows of people that live within us, is told with a compelling sense of openness and wonder, buoyed by a particularly incredible vocal performance, and a steady pace that permits the song to reach a genuinely shiver-inducing conclusion.

Even towards the record’s conclusion, the band lose none of their bite or electricity, have constructed the record with perfect pacing and momentum. ‘Sparrows‘ sees the band incorporating some fantastically executed screamed vocals during the verses, whilst the choruses sparkle with a gentle, fragile optimism and guitars rip through wonderfully catchy riffs. The closing number, ‘New Ways to Stay on Earth‘, makes for another masterclass in storytelling, with Between Bodies approaching grief with a sense of eternal joy and pride, living life to the fullest in the name of those who are no longer with us. It wraps up all of the record’s themes perfectly, serving as an important reminder to live against all odds, and to rejoice in those around you. As the track waltzes through a glittering, spirited, cinematic climax, the band deliver undoubtedly their strongest and most emotive lyrics, and wrap up the record in simply the most perfect way: ‘You’re scattered across every word we say/Hold on tight and dance the night away‘.

‘Hands to Hold Each Other‘ is unquestionably a contender for 2026 Album of the Year, standing at the very forefront of Germany’s DIY punk and emo scene. A riotous, rightous, and at times genuinely magical experience, this is a record that instils hope in a hopeless world, reminding you of the importance of love, community, and the simple vital act of standing up for what is right. It is incredibly easy to give in to doomerism given the state of the world right now, and one can find themselves isolated and afraid, living something so very far from the life they once dreamed of; Between Bodies are here to let you know that it is never too late to start hoping, and that the family you choose will always welcome you with open arms when you return. The momentum never falters, and the brilliance never dulls; this is, in every regard possible, a must-listen record.

RATING: 92/100

For Fans Of: Shoreline, Arm’s Length, itoldyouiwouldeatyou, Topiary Creatures, Creeper

Physical copies of the record are available to purchase here.

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram