Pressure on the Curb

Pressure on the Curb by HANDLES TDNB is a confident and bold hip hop project hailing from west London with some brilliant use of samples and lofi elements that complete its sound. Confidence is often ascribed to the loudest person in a room and it feels like HANDLES TDNB goes against this notion with lyrics that feel comfortable not saying too much. There is an enigmatic confidence in the way they are delivered that leaves you, as a listener, wanting more.

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The opening track, The Style Of Life, immediately draws in the listener in with this excellent classy sample. Going back to this concept of less is more and not giving away too much, the sample is given time to marinate here, allowing the audience a second to pick up the vibe. It suggests a seasoned producer is at the wheel of this track as this choice shows a serious level of trust in the listener. HANDLES TDNB isn’t trying to hit your dopamine receptors with 20 different sounds per second. This track marches with confident hip hop style and expects you to be along for the ride. The vocals have a subdued tone but clearly demonstrate emotion through the subtle ebbs and flows of the artist’s vocal cadence. When talking about getting money every time he opens his mouth, there is so much confidence and conviction in what is being said, it makes you feel more confident even as a listener. The way the samples are utilised here shows a clear level of respect for the original songs cut up to use in Pressure on the Curb. It feels like the project emphasises the original tone of the samples and redirects it into a new perspective as opposed to gutting it and using it for their own purposes. Instead, it’s a symbiotic strength that elevates each track through the amplified momentum of the sample it uses. Pressure on the Curb uses lofi and subtle vocal cadences to say more with less.