Samia's EP 'Scout' brings big sounds to center stage while pondering long-distance phone calls, breakups, reunions, and long-haul road trips
Words by Matt Keenan
I’ve always loved Samia as a songwriter, with her debut, The Baby, being one of my favorite records of all time. Samia’s melodramatic examination about what it's like to be a lover, friend, child, and family member is captivating, and she guides you through stories and narratives leaning on a sort of scattered distractedness that paint the album with a rather earnest nature. I went to Miami recently and got a tattoo inspired by and including lyrics from her song “Pool.” For me, Samia's songwriting has always been a source of strength, with her lyrics holding such profound personal significance that I decided to permanently tattoo them on my body.
After The Baby, her following EP, Scout, has been in my listening rotation a lot recently. It boasts a yearning yet ponderous nature about what it’s like to be loved by someone, especially on the track “As You Are,” where Samia sings on the chorus:
“When somebody loves you
They take you as you are
When somebody loves you
They take you as you are
When somebody loves you
They take you as you are”
The evocative nature in which Samia draws emotion out of listeners by using spoken elements from friends and family is particularly effective on the track and can also be seen throughout her discography (like on her track “Pool,” the first track on The Baby). While the record certainly boasts big sounds, including echoey vocals and drums alongside almost breathy guitars that strive to feel spacious yet purposeful, the true strength, to me, once again lies in her lyricism. It draws you into a shameless examination of Samia’s life through thoughtfully crafted stories and narrative.
You can stream the EP Scout now, as well as check out the rest of Samia’s discography wherever you get your music.
