Samantics - One Person's Perspective of an 
Apocalypse
Release Date: Out Now
These are early days as we yawn in to 2022 but I think I'm comfortable in saying that this is one of the key albums of the year if not the last 3 years. Devon based one-man-band Samantics has produced 'One Person's Perspective of an Apocalypse' as a part diary, part dramatisation set to music covering everything from the start of 2020 up until the present day and it is as glorious as it is cathartic. Let's dive in shall we?
'Big Plans' gets us going with a massive dose of optimism set to the trademark beats and plucked melody with a list of upcoming achievements rapped out with furious intensity. Supporting Frank Turner, playing in Germany and touring the festivals are all in sight for Samantics but as the song progresses, mentions of some new flu creep in to the lyrics. Jump to 'Locked Down' and we get a more somber and calm tune that speaks of the energy of lock down but there's still some bright side looking as our hero sings "If I'm getting locked down, I wanna get locked down with you". The first pandemic love song?
My favourite track is the perky and joyful 'If It Wasn't For The NHS' which celebrates our National Health Service along with a bouncy little riff and punchy beat underneath lyrics like "If it wasn't for the NHS I'd be hundreds of thousands of pounds in debt". 'Think of a World' reflects on an existence without music, something many of us faced up to during that first lock down not least the musicians out there trying to make a living. The mood is lifted with a little organ in praise of the Palladium Club in Bideford as 'The Palladium Club' calls out the precarious situations so many venues were in and even manages to sneak in a mention for the Music Venue Trust. The first MVT love song?
The rolling piano and delicate guitar of 'Not Happy Being Human' speaks to that existential crisis many of us experienced during the pandemic watching others of our species behave without empathy or the ability to put themselves second (aka dicks). On 'Punched in the Face by the Earth' Samantics we are treated to a jolly melody juxtaposed with lyrics about falling over in the street and the restoration of faith in humanity because of the people that came to help. The first paramedic love song?
'Keep Music In Mind' is an anthem for the benefits of music when it comes to battling mental health issues or even just picking you up when you've found yourself in a slump. Back on the pandemic theme, 'Covidiocy' is a lament based on catching COVID despite being super cautious and careful with a cheeky little sax melody under the breathless and frantic rantings. The mood on 'Cut Off Supply' sounds like an Eminem pastiche as Samantics raps about missing the energy and frisson of live performance. The lo-fi glitchy synth melody of 'Senseless Torture' tells the tale of COVID symptoms working their way through the body and how the taste of Earl Grey or the smell of fried onions are no longer simple sensations to be enjoyed. The first sense of smell love song?
Entering the home straight we have 'Do You Remember?' which explores the nostalgia for pre-pandemic restrictions living and all the things we took for granted and, honestly, i feel seen. This is an incredibly witty, well observed, passionate and slick album but it's the raw acoustic 'Hold On' that brings this collection to a close. The heartfelt lyrics implore you to keep going, one day at a time, in the hope or knowledge that things will get better - a song that would be a tonic at any time but is painfully pertinent now. This is a time capsule of an album, capturing the mood of many people at this difficult time but it is also a window in to, well, one person's perspective of an apocalypse. And it is superb.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/samanticsuk
Live Dates:
4th-7th February - In Cider Festival @ Pontins, Sand Bay
2nd June - The Cursus Festival, Canada Farm
10th June - Here For The Music Festival
16th September - Field Frolics Festival