Sampha, Spirit 2.0 | Track Review

Following a six-year-hiatus, singer and producer Sampha makes an epic comeback with his introspective single, “Spirit 2.0.”

“Two bodies on this mattress / Save me as it sinks / Automatic self-protection / Like airbags in my limbs.” Sigh, it has been FAR TOO LONG since we have heard from Sampha (Sampha Sisay), PERIOD. Six years! Sisay wowed with his 2017 debut album, Process. Since then, from a solo perspective, things have been quiet. Sampha returns with his near five-minute single, “Spirit 2.0”.  He produced “Spirit 2.0” alongside El Guincho and Riccardo Damian. The results are positive, as “Spirit 2.0” is a total V-I-B-E.

The sound – light, rhythmic electronic music cues, rhythmic drum groove, and keys – help fuel Sampha’s fire.  There’s also warm strings (programmed) that add to the decadence.  Of course, Sisay’s voice is distinct and fabulous as always.  His tone = #WINNING . Early on in “Spirit 2.0,” the chorus is introduced (partially via the intro).  Eventually, the chorus plays out as “Waves will catch you, light will catch you / Love will catch you, spirit gon’ catch you, yeah,” etc.  There are three verses, including the poetic first verse, excerpted at the top. In the second, Sampha acknowledges traveling for healing, as well as a chain given to him by a special person. The third and final verse is totally different, taking on more of a hip-hop vibe with its quick lines. The ‘bars’ he delivers are alluring, commencing with the clever “Just like Jonathan Livingston Seagull / Try catch the clouds as I free fall / I was caught by the wings of my people / Then you pick me up in your two-door.”  So, what does this fine track all mean? Per Rolling Stone, Sampha states “Spirit 2.0” is about “connection to both myself and others… acknowledging those moments when you need help”, and “enjoy[ing] that feeling of someone being there for you, even if [they don’t] have the answers.” All told, this is an epic comeback for Sampha!

Sampha • “Spirit 2.0” • Young • 6.28.23

[: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Young; OpenClipart-Vectors, PIRO via Pixabay]