On Handshakes, House Ghost does a lot with their moody, bubblegum electro-soul, from the soaring and smooth “Kid Icarus” that ambiguously darkens an 8-bit landscape with an interesting juxtaposition, to the album’s strongest track “Gold Watch” (featuring James Lindsey), a down-and-out melodic gem that will be stick with you. “Dear Dead Days” is a hazy daydream, while “Painful Rainbows” works the atmosphere in a way that almost goes over the edge, but recognizes its limits, reminiscent of John Cale. Handshakes is a series of smart pop that continuously bends its melodic, catchy and experimental structure.