Underground alt-pop riser Extrazen takes a bold step forward with his sophomore EP, “What To Do With Your Hands.”

A raw and reflective body of work, “What To Do With Your Hands” encapsulates Extrazen’s journey of self-discovery, creative struggle, and personal growth. The EP kicks off with ‘360 Palm Stretch,’ a punchy, high-energy track that challenges listeners to stop overthinking and take action. Lead single and “fake it ‘til you make it” anthem ‘Hollywood’ follows — a collaboration with Herlander and Odete that explores the grind of self-promotion with dark, club-driven beats.

‘Plaster Me’ blends gritty, dance-floor vibes with a raw emotional edge, addressing childhood bullying and the power of defiance. The EP’s second single, ‘Stunt,’ delivers an aggressive, fast-paced declaration of self-confidence, while ‘Meaning’ tackles the struggle of pursuing music against familial pressure, closing out with a personal lullaby from Extrazen’s father.

The third single, ‘Back To Life,’ reflects on unreciprocated love, building from minimalism to chaotic intensity. ‘Don’t You Worry’ — which also comes with a stylish and vibrant music video — ends “What To Do With Your Hands” on a poignant note, offering a bittersweet look at the passage of time and the importance of cherishing relationships across a blissful blend of UK garage beats.

Taking full control of the project, Extrazen self-produced nearly all the EP, using deep bass-driven sounds and innovative sampling to shape his evolving style. Embracing the challenge of working by himself, the creative process taught Extrazen to trust his instincts and “keep my hands moving with no fear, always,” a sentiment central to the EP’s creation.

The EP’s title is inspired by a chapter from Jon Kabat-Zinn’s book “Wherever You Go, There You Are,“ which reflects the idea that our hands are a reflection of our inner selves. Thematically, the EP explores following one’s passion, dealing with family pressure, and overcoming life’s challenges across seven alt-pop tracks, underscored by the symbolic act of keeping one’s hands moving to fight adversity.

Extrazen’s visual identity complements his music with a cohesive, blurred aesthetic across cover art and videos, symbolizing fluidity and the constant movement of time and emotion. The music videos, while diverse in their approach, share a common motif of hands—often framed in moments of searching or running away—reflecting the urgency and personal stakes explored in his songs. 

Speaking about the EP, Extrazen shared:

“This project is the first where I take the main stage not only as the artist but also as the producer. I remember the travels between Lisbon and Porto on the bus, finishing the songs and working through all the mixing and mastering sessions, figuring out every detail. When people hear this EP, I hope they take away the importance of being themselves, following their gut and trusting in their hands. Keep your hands moving to fight through adversities and discover who you really are.”

“What To Do With Your Hands” marks an exciting new chapter in Extrazen’s career, defined by standout performances at London’s NiNE8FEST, alongside NiNE8 Collective (Lava La Rue, Biig Piig, et al.) and yunè pinku, to Portugal’s iconic NOS Alive Festival, where he shared the stage with global megastars Dua Lipa and Tyla.

Claiming his place as an essential new force in the alt-pop scene, Extrazen’s art has gained press attention from 1883 Magazine, Live Nation’s “Ones to Watch”, The Luna Collective, and Stardust Magazine, while also earning placements on key playlists including Spotify’s “New Music Friday” and Apple Music’s “New Music Daily” and ALTO – Indie Portugal.

Extrazen’s love affair with music began in Santo Tirso, a small city near Porto, Portugal, where he taught himself guitar as a child. His early passion for diving deep into all aspects of creating music laid the groundwork for his adventurous soundscapes, blending his Portuguese roots with experimental alt-pop.

Refining his techniques throughout the years with different styles and textures on a myriad of indie cuts, Extrazen joined One House Only in 2019, who released his acclaimed debut single and music video ‘With You’. Following a quiet 2020, Extrazen made his return with ‘Pinewood St.’ – an intimate and nostalgic ballad – and ‘Cleopatra’ in 2021, earning him his first million streams on Spotify.

Now emerging with a brilliant collection of new material after a period of creative hibernation, this thoughtful and artistic new voice is poised to infiltrate the upper echelons of the alt-pop world. “What To Do With Your Hands” kicks off what is set to be the biggest year of Extrazen’s career yet.

Follow EXTRAZEN on:
Instagram | Spotify | TikTok | YouTube

Photos: (c) Tiago Pestana