When the Piece Becomes the Self

Samlrc is genuinely one of the most talented people I've ever seen, let alone have had the pleasure to meet. Seriously, this girl can dabble in absolutely any form of art and be graciously amazing at it. I've listened to some of her music here and there, but it took me way too long to listen to a full album of hers because I stall a lot (specially when it comes to albums made by people I know). It was only when she fangirled over her (at the time of writing this) latest album, Sam Is Offline_, and telling me that she also made a movie to go alongside it, that I managed to do that.

I have a certain privilege in reviewing this album (and film) because I actually feel a very intense and deep connection to it. I watched the film in little pieces over 2(?) days, during what I can only describe as one of my worst depressive episodes I can remember, and I also have the privilege of knowing Sam directly and what she wanted to do with this album. Initially I wanted to make this review purely about the music, but this is way too interesting for just that.

So let's begin with just that. The music.

THE REVIEW

While listening to this little experiment, two exact albums were larping here and there in my head. I'm not sure if Sam even knows them or likes them, but they're what this reminds me of the most.

Firstly, a more obvious comparison, Sewerslvt's Starved Slvts Always Get Their Fix. I will not get into Sewerslvt discussion here because frankly who fucking cares, but I always held the opinion that this was her heaviest and possibly best album. The whole palette and aesthetics of Sam Is Offline_ remind me directly of what Jvne was doing on there, just with the advantage of having actual soul and emotion behind it.

The other album that crossed my mind was [one of therhinestonehawk.com's "best albums ever made by anyone ever"] HikkieP's Eutopia. To talk about why that is I first have to point out something that actually disappointed me in this album, which is the COHESION. It's too intelligible, which might be a plus to some, but for what Sam was trying to accomplish, I think it works against it. The first few tracks and last few are viciously chaotic and dynamic, constantly twitching and changing at plain sight with the help of dblue's glitch (yeah, i know what it is. i use it too :p), gross beat and a fuckton of automation clips. That's basically what every single second of Eutopia feels like, a bunch of nonsensical and ever-changing sounds and ideas.

My problem with the cohesion is that it isn't ambitious enough. We have tracks like Song For [ ], Sick and Black Cat which sound very normal for the genres they are in. HOWEVER, I must say, they fucking rule. Just because they don't fit with the whole "erratic depression" vibe the album's going for, doesn't mean they're not bangers. Usually in independent brazilian albums like this I look over the mixing and compression issues that are the norm because they are the norm, but I have to note here that Sam's production in everything is AS CLEAN AS YOU COULD POSSIBLY GET. Everything sounds clear and sharp as possible, immaculate even, and this doesn't interfere with the "chaotic vibe" because even in chaos there needs to be some harmony. The whole thing sounds more professional than a lot of huge names out there.

At the end of the day, my biggest problems with the album are not what's there per se, but what could be. How much denser, heavier and disturbing it could be. But honestly, that wasn't necessarily Sam's intention, but much more my own projections as a fellow producer who also wanted to make something very personal and maximalist like this. But because of this more cohesive approach, the albums ends up being waaay more enjoyable than I thought it would be. I don't know if Sam was afraid of alienating the listener by making something very inaccessible, but I'm very glad we got what we got. Music 》Internet is ONE OF THE BEST SONGS I'VE EVER HEARD??? It's very maximalist and never fails to grab your attention while also being surprisingly emotional. Hug is heartbreaking, Sick is adorable and Black Cat is just generally cool. Sam's Mind is possibly even more ambitious than Music 》Internet, but going for an emotional whiplash instead of a celebration of music as an art form. Livin' 》Suicide feels like a more polished and dynamic take on Sewerslvt's style in her last album, and finishes the record with a very beautiful and contemplative outro.

DETOUR: BIRTH OF THE ARTIST

There are some things I love that I hate talking about because I feel like giving them words is a disservice. Case in point: Sometimes I Go Out In Pity For Myself.

This is a legendary and fundamental album in Simon Strider lore that most people who like me or my music will never even listen to. And you know what? That's a good thing. This album is so emblematic because, without any hyperbole whatsoever, 

it. is. me.

I could very well try to describe my relationship with my identity and the mere meaning of the word, but I don't need to. All you need to know is that I constantly feel like I'm not actually a tangible thing and I'm just the art that I consume and make. If I explain more than that, I'll be making SIGOIPFM a disservice. I poured all my soul, fears, insecurities, music taste and everything I like into that album, and when I die that'll be the last piece of me standing.

I'm not very sure if Sam Is Offline_ is Sam's version of this "Birth of the Artist" phenomenon, but it feels like it by reading her description of it. If not, then at least the album took a life of its own, becoming a living thing, almost like a friend or companion. If >i< have a close relationship to it just by listening and watching the film, I can only imagine how Sam feels about it.

What I want to say is that this is a project rich in emotional depth and content, the kind that can reach people's deepest pathos in the most genuine way possible, and I'm really glad that it exists.

THE POINT

As it stands in Sam's discography, this album feels more like an Ok Computer than an In Rainbows. It's the one album that shows everyone how incredible the artist is and can hypothetically become if they keep experimenting, and from the demos I've heard... Yeah, that will surely happen. This doesn't mean it is instantly obsolete or something like that though. On the contrary, given that Ok Computer still resonates with so many people even to this day. In the future, this will probably still be many people's favorite Samlrc album.

Favorites: Music 》Internet, Hug, Sam's Mind and Livin' 》Suicide Note.

(8.5/10)