Welsh rockers Samoans (confusing, right?)release their debut album ‘Rescue’ on the 14th of July with ‘Dancing On the Sea Lion’ being the first single from it. So, what’s it like?
Three minutes of total prog rock confusion which you’ll have to listen to about 5 times before you can make any kind of informed decision on it. I think it’s good? Maybe? Yeah, it’s good.
The Liars-esque tempo suits the delicate and thoughtful melodies of the single but the strangest thing keeps on happening throughout. The song starts. And then stops. Repeatedly. The deliberate and slow riffs of the guitar always appear to be leading somewhere and you’re proven right as they suddenly accelerate in speed before quite strangely, completely dropping off again back to the gentle rhythms that have begun to hypnotise you.
This happens quite a few times; you’re constantly teased with the promise of a crescendo but nothing comes of it. You are left wondering if there’s something wrong with your laptop but, in the strangest of ways, it’s utterly compelling to listen to if not slightly frustrating. Yet, that’s what prog rock is all about: challenging the conventions. This is something which Samoans clearly relish doing.
“I think we got caught up in trying to overcomplicate certain songs in the past. Having the time out to reflect on this, I thought it was time to embrace simplicity,” frontman Dan stated ahead of its release. I was so mystified and intrigued by ‘Dancing…’ that I went ahead and picked up a copy of their earlier song ‘Antlers’. It’s a definite leap in style between the two songs and a brave one at that – Samoans are not afraid of taking risks and could very well be ones to watch.
If you’re a prog fan and want something new and slightly infuriating/oddly magical, you can’t go wrong with this.
6.5/10
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