Sampha releases first song in 6 years – ‘Spirit 2.0’
The English singer-songwriter and pianist Sampha may have appeared on Kendrick Lamar’s Mr Morales & The Big Steppers (on “Father Time”) and previously guest turned on records from Drake and Stormzy among others, but it has been a whole six years since the artist released some solo music, the same year as he debut album Process in 2017.
Collaborations with Lil Silva and Actress withstanding, ‘Spirit 2.0’ is a proper solo singer heralding a 2.0 era for the artist and album two.
The song isn’t a radical departure for Sampha, offering a song of soulful self-motivation with electronic undertones, and it’s always nice to hear him sing in any form, and echoing the album’s collaborative sessions, the voice of Yaeji can be heard on the outro.
Yussef Dayes, El Guincho, Owen Pallet and Lisa-Kaindé Diaz of Ibeyi also contribute on the song.
Speaking about the track, Sampha says:
“It’s about the importance of connection to both myself and others, and the beauty and harsh realities of just existing. It’s about acknowledging those moments when you need help – that requires real strength. I hope people can enjoy that feeling of someone being there for you, even if that person doesn’t have the answers. Just calling someone up without overthinking… letting go and just dancing.. wanting to see past the mundanity of things and appreciating the magic of it all, from birds nests to spaceships.”
