With the very first note of Sam Lily’s latest single, “Soothe,” an emotive sonic landscape that perfectly captures the turbulence of a breakup’s aftermath begins to take shape. The track starts off with melancholic vocals that echo over the gentle tinkling of keys, foreshadowing an introspective journey. When the percussion laced in the track does come into play, you are transported into a world where heartache and healing coexist in a touching dance.
Sam Lily is an artist from Murwillumbah, Northern NSW, in Australia. He has a way of catching the raw, unfiltered emotion that one often feels at life’s hardest moments. His organic and candid lyricism in ‘Soothe’ reflects strongly on the duality of wanting to move on and feeling tethered to the past in one way or another. And the harmonies are absolutely striking and add depth and resonance to the narrative.
The lyrics of the song dive way into wanting to escape the pain but yet needing to stay connected with it through the music. Sam’s lyrics double as a reminder of pain and also a way to alleviate it, creating something therapeutic for listeners. He articulates an inner struggle that many people can relate to: the struggle of holding on to memories while yearning for emotional release.
‘Soothe’ showcases the distinctive sound of John Lawrie’s banjo that really gives a mellow track another twist. A blend of the lightly plucked banjo, emotive vocals, and with some harmonies represents this sound to be pretty soothing. Sam Lily describes it as “incredibly personal” but also hopes it resonates with anyone who has experienced similar emotional journeys. He expressed so eloquently that music could lift the burden of heavy emotions in times of trouble.
‘Soothe’ is among the tracks on the EP ‘Twigs and Sticks,’ which puts themes of love and resilience into focus. This EP should be expected to be an honest one, with a series of new releases coming out on August 8, October 10, and December 12. With Sam’s power and ability to put a sorrowful melody beside a soul-felt lyric, the songs of the record are sure ways to become quite familiar and personal to the heart.
Independent folk singer-songwriter Sam Lily has recently emerged on the indie horizon. With performance skills and genre fusions being his main forte, it is through the narration of stories in his songs that brings about a new perspective to the audience who can empathise. After ‘Soothe,’ Sam reassures everybody that he aims to reach out through his music to entertain but also to heal.
You can listen to ‘Soothe’ below: