Local Review: Blue Hands — Loneliness

Blue Hands
Loneliness
Self-Released
Street: 07.01.2025
Blue Hands = Tommy Wright III + Onra

My first impression of Loneliness, the seven-track release by Salt Lake City producer Blue Hands, was a journey toward understanding the artist’s intentions. The cover art immediately caught my attention: a cartoon character against an intense red background, eyes half-closed, with an exhausted expression of someone who didn’t get enough sleep the night before. A text emoticon beside the figure provides additional emotional context, while the title appears both in English and in Cyrillic beneath it. But what grabbed my attention the most was the smaller print: “A Beat Tape by Blue Hands.” This smaller print detail is what matters for this review.

A beat tape is different from a traditional EP or an album. It works more like a producer’s sketchbook where they usually include a collection of ideas, textures and moods presented in motion rather than delivering finished songs. Once I approached Loneliness from that perspective, everything fell into place. Composed of seven tracks averaging around two minutes each, the release relies heavily on atmosphere, repetition and sample manipulation. The vocals sound buried deep in the mix or absent altogether, serving more as textural elements for building the sonic skeleton. This is not a collection of unfinished songs or songs waiting for completion. This is a beat tape that fulfills its purpose completely within the conventions of the format.

Within this context, Blue Hands delivers a distinctive style right from the opening track, “Skip It.” This first track opens with a very known sample that reminds me of some Latin disco energy. This small but effective move brings a contrast between the title’s emotional weight and the samples Blue Hands used along the whole track. This results in an enjoyable first track that engaged me the entire two minutes setting the stage for what comes next.

The next tracks of this beat tape, “NYNT,” “Unexpected,” “Cherry,” and “First Listen,” move deeper into lo-fi hip-hop territory: pitched samples, layered effects and different textures allowing each beat enough room to breathe while maintaining a cohesive use of sonic identity across the release. The use of other well-known samples do not overload the final result of these tracks, rather they are well balanced providing a comfortable atmosphere while Blue Hands adds a personal touch across the whole production.

One remarkable thing is Blue Hands does not tend to load each beat past its comfortable weight limit, nor does he stack filters and textures until the individual elements lose definition, which is a mistake where other producers often fall into. In a beat tape, each track is essentially an argument for the producer’s sensibility and skills at the moment of mixing and building well-balanced densities that work in favor of the listening experience. This is where Blue Hands exceeds by far.

The release closes with “Change Your Mind,” and it’s my favourite track from this work. Blue Hands actually sings here, and while his vocals are modest and the writing uncomplicated, this personal touch adds a warmth and nostalgic sensation. 

Throughout its thirteen minutes, Loneliness keeps the listener engaged. The project does not feel assembled to satisfy a playlist algorithm. It feels personal. This small gesture is much appreciated. As a beat tape, Loneliness is an outstanding entry point into what Blue Hands is building. Cohesive in mood, occasionally surprising, and over quickly enough to invite a second listen. 

For listeners willing to spend time inside his world, Blue Hands has crafted a beat tape that feels reflective, understated and emotionally honest. —Guillermo Pino Cruz

Read more from Guillermo Pino Cruz:
Why Is Music Returning to the Tangible World of Vinyl and CDs?
Local Music Singles Roundup: June 2026

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