Australia’s alternative-dance powerhouse, Haiku Hands, have delivered an electrifying sophomore album in the form of “Pleasure Beast”, out now!. Comprising Claire, Beatrice, and Mie, the trio dive straight into an assortment of their minds, life experiences, energies, and, as the title suggests, unleashes their inner beast.
“Pleasure Beast” is an audible kaleidoscope that explores the myriad facets of Haiku Hands’ musical expertise. From the infectious beats of the recent single “Cool For You“, to the dreamy, tropical escape offered by today’s new single release, “Paradise“, the album is a rollercoaster of joy and mayhem. The trio blends together electro-pop and rap, creating a manifesto that’s as infectious as it is irresistible.
“Paradise” was co-written in quarantine with Caleb of Broods, stands out as a three-minute holiday into another dimension, as described by Beatrice. “I wanted this song to feel like a 3 minute holiday into another dimension,” Beatrice emphasises. “What it would feel like taking mushrooms and laying on a beach watching the sun go down, feeling the sand underneath your feet and feeling like the sky and the sea in front of you never ends.”
The album’s bold declaration, “I want pleasure on my French toast / I am here to be, to be sexy and free,” sets the tone for the electro-pop-rap extravaganza that follows. “Pleasure Beast” is a sonic grab-bag that feels like reaching into a mixture of different sounds. The album’s artwork is also a marriage of the Korean symbolism of the Tree of Life and Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” bathed in a glowstick sun, further encapsulates the fusion of diverse influences that define Haiku Hands’ unique sound.
“Pleasure Beast” proves that in a world that seeks to separate and divide, music has the power to unite, liberate, and celebrate the simple joy of being alive.
