Even in the COVID-19 pandemic landscape, Toronto's Sam Lewis — a.k.a. Pleasure Craft — understands the strange allure of isolation: his new single "Don't Need a Knife" tackles the topic of severing ties, performed on location in Sudbury in the Shawn Kosmo-directed accompanying video.
"Don't Need a Knife" follows Lewis' previous 2021 single "Bag Down," which served as an introduction to the egotistical character his 2022 LP will bring to life in a three-act concept. The new track marks the end of the aggressive first phase of the narrative exploration, wherein the over-the-top character begins to disappear into isolation due to his fear of vulnerability ahead of the forthcoming album's introspective second act.
Of the single, Lewis said in a statement: "I was listening to a lot of Nine Inch Nails at the time [that I wrote it] and I think it has some heavy industrial influence — but all in all, I love pop music and I hope that melodic, bright energy comes through in everything I make, no matter how dark the themes."
Assisted by long-time collaborator Mingjia's haunting harmonies, you can hear those opposing forces meld together at Lewis' hand; he doesn't need a knife to cut his ties or dissect the complimentary elements of his myriad influences.
The trippy music video certainly suits the sonic mood, with chainmail armour and claustrophobic black-and-white effects marking the upcoming album's fearful first act, before opening up into the full colour of its psychedelic second phase.
Watch the video for "Don't Need a Knife" below.
Pleasure Craft's previous single "Bag Down" was featured on Exclaim!'s The Eh! List highlighting the week's best new Canadian music last month.
"Don't Need a Knife" follows Lewis' previous 2021 single "Bag Down," which served as an introduction to the egotistical character his 2022 LP will bring to life in a three-act concept. The new track marks the end of the aggressive first phase of the narrative exploration, wherein the over-the-top character begins to disappear into isolation due to his fear of vulnerability ahead of the forthcoming album's introspective second act.
Of the single, Lewis said in a statement: "I was listening to a lot of Nine Inch Nails at the time [that I wrote it] and I think it has some heavy industrial influence — but all in all, I love pop music and I hope that melodic, bright energy comes through in everything I make, no matter how dark the themes."
Assisted by long-time collaborator Mingjia's haunting harmonies, you can hear those opposing forces meld together at Lewis' hand; he doesn't need a knife to cut his ties or dissect the complimentary elements of his myriad influences.
The trippy music video certainly suits the sonic mood, with chainmail armour and claustrophobic black-and-white effects marking the upcoming album's fearful first act, before opening up into the full colour of its psychedelic second phase.
Watch the video for "Don't Need a Knife" below.
Pleasure Craft's previous single "Bag Down" was featured on Exclaim!'s The Eh! List highlighting the week's best new Canadian music last month.
