You know when you see a shooting star and make a wish? You know how rare that happens? Well, I feel the same when I hear a good debut album. It’s just that I feel like my wish has already come true. My soul is growing with the sound of another sound and I can feel the presence of all the star constellations in our galaxy. Speaking of which…
Seven years after his first EP Sundanza and three and a half years after the second one titled Dual, British author and producer known as Sampha has finally released his full length album called Process. And what a process that was. Over the past few years, he became visible for his collaborations with globally famous performers such as Kanye West, Solange, Frank Ocean and Drake, to whom he offered a piece of his magic cake.
Even though numerous contacts in the world of pop music, his debut includes 10 songs without a single guest appearance. That says a lot about his confidence and self-belief in his own abilities. On the other hand, Rodaidh McDonald, a Swedish sonic wizard, has found himself in a role of co-producer here (he is the guy who also produced I See You, the fresh album by The XX, but is also responsible for the debut releases of Savages, Daughter and Willis Earl Beal). As Rodaidh doesn’t knowhow to produce a bad record, Process does not fall from the tree when it comes to quality.
Twenty seven year old musician from London has served us his vision of pop that incorporates dark r’n’b and electronic elements. Very sensual, downtempo melodies are supported with intimate lyrics in which he does not withhold sharing neither his worry nor vulnerability. Predominant themes are death of the singer’s mother (in a beautiful piano ballade No One Knows Me Like The Piano), love pains (Take Me Inside, Incomplete Kisses), confrontation with inner demons (Blood On Me), personal mistakes (Reverse Faults).
Sampha’s strongest asset is vocal hovering over encapsulated electronic beats. His approach is mature and candid. With Process, Sampha marks the official commence of his career and joins the selected company of experimental pop musicians on the road of never-ending audio evolution.
