Hello my
pretties,
It’s me again, Rebel Yell, miss me? Don’t be silly of course
you did! Remember how I was saying I was in demand? Well slowly but surely I am
making my way through that extensive list. Unfortunately one event that I was
super psyched to attend, Dovehouse’s single launch for Cheap Tricks at the Hope & Ruin last Thursday, had to missed
due to England’s glorious weather screwing over our already dubious train
services. What’s more, not only would the night have been incredible, but also
would have served as a part two to the news I have to share today. A few months
back I had the pleasure of interviewing singer-songwriter Sami James (a support
act for Dovehouse’s launch) for my fellow blogger Treble With The Bass, whereby he gave us a taster regarding his
debut EP: Show The World. Guess what
folks?! That day is here! So strap on your seatbelts and brace yourself because
you’re mind is about to get blown…again.
Back in March, Sami stated his EP revolves around the
concept of “having faith in your passion and following what you love” but his
most interesting comment was how he defined himself as an artist. Declaring he
is “honest and pure – no filter”. However I will be the judge of that. Right.
The juries seated. And there is one smoking Judge on the scene. Let’s get to it
shall we?
Track One: Judge Me
Sami doesn’t waste time in grabbing the listener’s
attention. Within seconds they are hooked to both an interestingly rhythmic and
melodic introduction, demonstrating the important of instrumentation without
the support of lyrics. He further exhibits his ability as a songwriter as he
composes an arrangement that enhances rather than drowns the vocal. Although,
it’s worth noting that the composition, as a whole, feels full yet without
sounding complicated or clustered. Now I’m aware that I went into student
musician mode right there, shudders of fear rattled down my spine! But trust me
all of those are remarkable check points that most musicians I’ve listened to
fail to incorporate into one song, let alone the first 20 seconds of an EP.
While the instrumentation leaves space for the vocal in verses, the pre chorus
drops further allowing the vocals to become vulnerable, suiting the theme of
judgment perfectly. Side note: the irony of a reviewer such as myself writing
about an EP whose first track is titled Judge
Me did tickle my funny bone…ya know because I’m judging it…and…never mind…I
have an odd sense of humour you should all know that by now! Moving swiftly
on…for someone who finds it exceptionally difficult to use repetition
effectively within her own songs, it is refreshing to hear the technique being
used effectively. What’s more, the lyrics are simple yet potent. Not masked in
misleading metaphors. What you see is what you get. And that is something I
love about Sami’s work. Brutal honesty in a beautiful package. Notably there is
an unexpected guitar solo mid way through the song which provided a sense of
release that the listener was unaware they needed. However my favourite element of the whole
song has to be last chorus. The change in the backing vocals from being in
unison to being behind not only prevents the song from being dully repetitive
but provides a subtle change that makes the listener fall further in love.
Track Two: Flowers On The Ground
Delicate and beautiful. If I could leave it at that I would,
but I don’t want the song to feel like I favour the others more by spending
more time with them! After all songs have feelings too…I know how insane that
sounds so hush! Let’s just blame it on lack of sleep shall we? Yeah let’s stick
with that. That sounds highly plausible. Especially to those who know me, ya
know what I’m talking about! Okay I’ve gone off on a tangent larger than the
size of a politician’s ego. Back to beloved Sami. You can’t help but fall in
love with the sweet introduction, contrasting the slight rock elements of Judge Me, Flower’s On The Ground accents Sami’s folk style. Throughout the
entire EP Sami includes some intoxicating lines that restore my faith in the
pop industry today. For instance, “you wear my shoes, you wear them all the
time. But you’ll never really understand” revolves around a tiresome cliché
however Sami words it in a way that restores its initial vivacity. I have a
particular love for the juxtapositions that are intricately scattered
throughout. What’s more, it is the most realistic interpretation of the
uncertainty of a new love through lines such as “don’t need a reason to say I
miss you, I don’t want you back in case I don’t”. Defying typical pop songs
whilst still appealing to a mainstream audience. Again, my favourite part of
the song has to be the last chorus due to its extremely minimal arrangement
with pretty much just the vocal and another delayed harmony.
Track Three: Show The World
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| It's THAT guy you keep seeingaround Brighton. |
Now time for the track that christens the EP. Large
expectations for this as Sami himself described this as being “something
special”. And that’s exactly what this track is. Notably being the most obvious
one revolving around the theme of following your dreams no matter what. Whilst
maintaining the acoustic ambiance found in the folk genre, remaining simplistic
and hopeful. Moreover, the space within the song fashions a mesmerising quality
that hypnotises the listener at the crucial half waypoint of the EP. Remember
those killer lines I referred to? Sami works his magic again with the evocative
lyric of “like a cigarette in a spiders web” and “you’re heart holds the
answers you don’t understand”. However one of the most fascinating lines is the
chorus hook of “show the world how you grow old” personally I find it a
intriguing way to summarise this message of follow your dreams and show them
just what you’re capable of. Again this man is a master of concluding songs,
particularly by ending this with just vocals, mirroring the vulnerability of
the message.
Track Four: Hurt To Remember
They say first impressions are key in any situation. First
impression of Hurt To Remember is
that it is very Beatles-esk. I don’t know if that is a compliment or offense
for Sami but I regard it to be a compliment of the highest. However, the Beatle
ambiance created within the opening immediately entwines with Sami’s Noel
Gallagher’s vocal techniques, giving birth to a remarkable sound. One thing
about this song’s chorus is that it has sure as hell as been stuck in my head
since first listen. Piece of trivia for you, this is the only song to begin
with the chorus hook – the strongest part of the song - this on the one hand
could be risky as the songwriter has to maintain this intensity (which Sami
does well) but on the other hand it is a technique encouraged in the pop
industry – hook the audience as soon as you possibly can. Again Sami marries
binary opposites, while the songs content seems to be more bleak then others
off the EP it still manages to appear hopeful and uplifting, which mirrors the
lyrical transition in the song its self. For instance, “does it hurt to
remember all the places we spent together” to “look up to the sky and recognise
myself once again”.
Track Five: Runaway
Ahhh Runaway. By
far my favourite track off the EP! Fell in love with this upon first listen. No
surprise really as this is the ‘rebel track’. The one that doesn’t quite follow
social conventions created by the other four. The one your parents don’t want
to meet…okay maybe that’s a bit too far…anywayyyysssss. This song is the
rockiest yet maintaining its strong folk style, however the spoken word bridge
further accents Sami’s extremely diverse influences and ability to compose for
different genres. What’s more, compared to his melodic vocal delivery in other
songs, Runaway is far more rhythmic
again making it that bit more intriguing. Furthermore, the chorus is huge.
There is no other way to describe it. Fascinatingly it depends on the backing
vocals to carry it, with the lead vocal interjecting here and there. It
juxtaposes all that Sami has presented us with so far. Would have felt out of
place if it were located anywhere else in the track list.
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| Captivated audience. |
Overall verdict?
Sami demonstrates his talent as a songwriter by composing
intricate melodies and intelligent lyrics in a way that is simple yet endearing
to digest. He marries the hard truth of folk with a pop package that makes the
songs enjoyable to pretty much any audience. The folk is strong in this one…any
one? Ah come on that was tastefully horrific! Give me some credit here! Fine.
Be that way then. Sami states that he is pure and honest in his delivery, I can
confirm that as being true, he certainly favours message over fancy
representation. Listen for yourselves: https://samijames.hearnow.com
I am truly gutted that I couldn’t witness a live rendition
of the EP at Dovehouse’s single launch. However I will be keeping my eye on
what the future has instore for Mr James. I will be there to inject the juicy details
into your hearts and minds. Giving you the greatest rush you could possibly
wish for.
Until next
time,
Unpleasant Dreams.
Follow Sami James below:
Access Treble With The Bass interview here
