Andreas Espenes strips everything back on “Empty Hands,” delivering one of his most emotionally direct and quietly devastating songs to date. Built on acoustic instrumentation and raw, unguarded vocals, the track feels intentionally exposed — as if there’s nowhere to hide, mirroring the emotional truth at its center.
“Empty Hands” tells the story of someone who gives endlessly — kind, present, dependable — only to find themselves alone when they finally need support in return. The song captures the exhaustion of one-sided friendships and the silent heartbreak of realizing that loyalty isn’t always reciprocal. Espenes doesn’t dramatize the pain; he lets it sit, unresolved and honest, which makes it hit harder. The vulnerability in his vocal delivery feels lived-in, as though the words are being confessed rather than performed.
Sonically, the simplicity is the point. The acoustic foundation allows every lyric to land clearly, amplifying the emotional weight of the story. There’s a quiet ache in the arrangement, but also restraint — a refusal to over-polish something that’s meant to feel human. That balance between sadness and sincerity has become a defining trait of Espenes’ songwriting.
The track fits seamlessly into Espenes’ evolving catalog, following deeply personal releases like “Horrible,” written after the sudden loss of a childhood friend, and his debut album Scars and Stars. That album explores both pain and hope — the “scars” we carry and the “stars” that guide us forward — and “Empty Hands” lives firmly in that emotional duality.
“Empty Hands” is for anyone who’s ever shown up for everyone else and wondered who would show up for them. It’s quiet, heavy, and hauntingly relatable — a reminder that even unreturned kindness deserves to be seen.
Written by Taylor Berry
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