If you're still getting over the crushing commercial saturation of Valentine's Day, Shayfer James has your cure, with his music video "Crack A Bottle, Run A Bath". Exploring the complexities of romance and relationships, the track reminds viewers that their approach and perspective can make or break an experience. The accompanying video offers a blend of surreal elements, off-beat comedy, and taste of James' signature charming darkness for the perfect delivery.

 "The song is an upbeat, positive look at romance through a slightly unusual lens," shared James. "The idea that anything can be worked through with enough conversation, a sense of humor, and an ability to let go of the past." While the lyrical content weighs rather heavily, the message it delivers is that love should always include playfulness, forgiveness, and a willingness to communicate.

The visual cut provides a sharp contrast to James' previous music video for the gothic, cabaret inspired "Mercy Down". "Crack A Bottle, Run A Bath" offers a quirky shift into surrealist inspired shots, utilizing a doll-house and its figures, and providing comical relief with clown make-up, to remind viewers not take everything so seriously. Channeling a Wes Anderson style, it's simply eccentric and entertaining. "I asked Kate Douglas, my close friend and collaborator, to direct this video," said James. "She agreed to do it only if it 'captures the Shayfer I know.' She felt there was enough dark brooding stuff out there and that perhaps I should let my guard down a bit and let folks see my sense of humor. It was a hell of a day and we had a blast. It was also 95 degrees outside when I was dancing in those wool pants under the highway. Lucky for me the wine kept me focused."

"Crack A Bottle, Run A Bath" comes off James' new EP, Hope And A Hand Grenade, released on February 1. It was recorded by producer/mixer/engineer and multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Gillespie, with Peter Horn performing viola for the track. James shared, "The viola part on the song is as I wrote it, but when I presented it to Jeremy and Peter their response was quite literally, 'This makes no sense.' Of course that’s the whole point. Love doesn’t make any sense either."

The video was directed by Kate Douglas, and filmed by Kris Night (who also shot Shayfer James' videos for "Weight of the World" and "Filthy Habit"). Hope And A Hand Grenade is available on all major digital retailers now, including Spotify, Bandcamp, and Apple Music. Shayfer James will be celebrating his EP release show on Friday, March 8, at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2 in NYC (9pm show, $10, 21+, full details here).