Gosh, how excited am I to have Plain Drifter return once more to grace our ears with their musical presence, none other than the incredible and innovative alter ego of Australia’s very own maestro of music, Sam Lillicrap. If you’ve been keeping up with me all this while, you’d know just what a deep hold that amazing song, “Long Way Down,” has had on my heart; it is truly a piece of artistry that has managed to win itself a place deep within my heart, revisited by me time and time again. However, not content with that, Sam Lillicrap surprised us yet again with “Cracks In The Mirror.” Take a seat and come closer, because we are going to talk about why this song is such a success and how Sam Lillicrap is one of the greatest voices in today’s music.
Right from the opening moment when the electric guitar comes into play, it becomes perfectly clear that Sam belongs to an altogether different league. It’s not that he creates music; rather, he crafts a world that seems to wrap itself around your heart. “Cracks In The Mirror” is simply an awe-inspiring piece of evidence that reflects how much he keeps on evolving. What makes the song particularly mesmerizing is the way it has been crafted, something that only an exceptional talent like Sam can do. Not only is he able to constantly surpass himself, but he also manages to cut through the clutter of the industry with pure authenticity and emotional depth.
Ultimately, “Cracks in the Mirror” is one of the most brilliant masterpieces of showing raw emotions through the expression of fear and insecurity. It dives into that dreadful feeling of seeing oneself in the mirror and not recognizing the face that looks back anymore, as if it’s someone else created by years and decisions. And as Sam so poignantly describes, “It’s all about that moment you look in the mirror and the person you see there doesn’t seem like yourself anymore.” Let’s lock in for a minute. This crack in the mirror that he talks about- we have all had it- that moment when we ask the question, “Who am I?” This song will resonate with anyone who wants to unlearn anything he doesn’t find desirable and go on a journey of self-discovery again. In the larger scope of the storyline of this album, the powerful journey that weaves through the serious subjects of loss, memory, addiction, family, and ultimately acceptance, this song becomes a pivotal, life-altering juncture. It is precisely the moment when the music turns its eyes away from the craziness outside of us and forces them to turn inward.
In terms of sound, Sam takes this powerful theme and presents it in an absolutely stunning blend of rawness and elegance. Featuring jagged and intense guitars, majestic melodies, and an aggressive vocal performance which comes across as if Sam is standing in front of you and delivering his lines right into your face, the song does not fear any vulnerability. On the contrary, it challenges this feeling and embraces it in its purest form – in the form of a harsh, uncompromising, and honest truth that resonates deep inside you. Every aspect of production serves to enhance the emotional center of the song and proves that Sam is writing rock music in its purest form.
The one thing that makes Sam’s artistry so captivating is the dedication in everything he does. He operates independently from his home studio based in the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia. Being called Plain Drifter, Sam’s every song is independently produced and composed by him alone, without any corporate input or influence. Every guitar-fueled anthem, every sharp hook, and every ounce of authenticity in those lyrics has been written, produced, and composed by his own hand.
As a result of “Cracks in the Mirror,” striking all the right visceral chords, I find myself completely spellbound, and knowing that it is just a matter of luck that our paths have crossed after these two fantastic numbers, I can only think that this is meant to be. Having an up-close view of such incredible talent blooming is indeed a great privilege. I am ready to commit to this amazing process until the end, supporting Plain Drifter all the way to world domination!
Stream “Cracks In The Mirror” on Spotify
Follow Plain Drifter here and his socials: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube
- PLAIN DRIFTER SHATTERS EXPECTATIONS WITH THE RAW, UNSTOPPABLE TRIUMPH OF “CRACKS IN THE MIRROR” - 8 October 2026
- JOYCE LOPEZ JOSE’S “PINK” IS THE RADIANT RAINBOW BABY ANTHEM EVERY HEART NEEDS - 8 October 2026
- “CUP OF TEA”: R. NELSON’S MASTERCLASS IN VULNERABILITY, GROWTH, AND SOULFUL INNOVATION - 8 October 2026