It isn't as if Sampha's been missing; in the time since his singular, award-winning solo debut Process was released, he's lent a hand to the artistry of stars including Kendrick Lamar and Alicia Keys, emerging songwriters like Mustafa, and old friends SBTRKT and Lil Silva. Recent single "Spirit 2.0," his first solo material in six years, is a welcome bit of reconnection in music and message.
Sampha first sets a scene of vulnerability in singing of safety in conversation and "automatic self-protection," nerviness further communicated by a cycling synth melody and the expectedly intricate drumming of Yussef Dayes. It falls away as the artist is suddenly "drifting into open sky" on the warmth of Owen Pallett's string crescendos, shaking off the fear with each spritely fill from Dayes. All the while, a chorus offers comfort in letting go: waves, light, love and spirit will break your fall, however far.
New connections are also felt in the vocal presence of Yaeji and Ibeyi's Lisa-Kaindé Diaz, the former closing the single with softly sung phrases in Korean. Whether in its dynamic structure, or the way Sampha delivers "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" to open the song's third verse, "Spirit 2.0" is a glimpse of an artist in full flight.
(Young)Sampha first sets a scene of vulnerability in singing of safety in conversation and "automatic self-protection," nerviness further communicated by a cycling synth melody and the expectedly intricate drumming of Yussef Dayes. It falls away as the artist is suddenly "drifting into open sky" on the warmth of Owen Pallett's string crescendos, shaking off the fear with each spritely fill from Dayes. All the while, a chorus offers comfort in letting go: waves, light, love and spirit will break your fall, however far.
New connections are also felt in the vocal presence of Yaeji and Ibeyi's Lisa-Kaindé Diaz, the former closing the single with softly sung phrases in Korean. Whether in its dynamic structure, or the way Sampha delivers "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" to open the song's third verse, "Spirit 2.0" is a glimpse of an artist in full flight.