“Crying in Pastel”, the lead single of Sophia Hansen-Knarhoi’s debut album, Undertow, and its music video are out today. She explores memory, growth, and emotion through analyzing violence against women. The song has a tranquil and dark presence, conveying melancholy from the first note. The regret portrayed in her lyrics and vocal tone cuts through the serenity of the instrumentals. In some ways the song is eerie and sorrowful, but in others it is calm and accepting like she already knows the answer to the questions she’s asking.
“Did you think of me?
Something pretty?
Are you scared of me?”
“Crying in Pastel” vacillates between anger, fear and sadness, all feelings that coexist in grief. Rage and ruin juxtapose a hope for connection, a need to understand the psyche of a predatory man.
Currently residing in London, Sophia recorded Undertow in Brooklyn with the help of producer Randall Dunn (Sunn 0))), Pallbearer). On the record, Sophia explores ambient-folk, involving cello, flugelhorn, harp and synth. The minimalistic approach has Sophia experimenting with new approaches, differing from her previous record “Wildflowers.” As heard on “Crying In Pastel,” she’s confrontational, covering bruising topics like violation and deep trust. “My voice and cello act as vessels for the corporeal,” she says.