Sampha, Blood on Me | Track Review 🎵

British electronic producer and singer/songwriter Sampha drops an extraordinary gem with “Blood on Me,” from his forthcoming debut, Process. 

Sampha arrives in February 2017, dropping his debut album, Process.  Who is Sampha? He’s an electronic music producer and singer/songwriter.  After collaborating with multiple artists – most recently Solange on “Don’t Touch My Hair” – Sampha steps into the spotlight himself.  The first taste of the British musician’s debut, “Blood on Me,” is pitch-perfect.

Although groovy from the onset, “Blood on Me” isn’t a particularly exuberant record. Don’t let the radiant and soulful pipes of the musician sway you away from the terror! “Blood on Me” has dark tilt that can be interpreted literally and metaphorically.  The chorus sums up the imminent danger that Sampha faces:

“I swear they smell the blood on me
I hear them coming for me.”

Essentially, Sampha erects a song that where he feels he’s being hunted down or forced to run from a devastating threat. He paints a frightening portrait throughout the course of the verses.  On the first verse, he describes his fear, singing:

“Grey hoodies, they cover their heads
I can’t see their faces…
They’re near me
Look, sweat on my head…”

On the second verse, “They’re at the edge of my bed,” or so Sampha asserts.  He proceeds to tell the story of escaping from what (or who) he is running from.  By the end, he:

“And I crash the whip
And this tree flew through me
Arms out, you pull me
And wipe my wounds clean.”

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, “Blood on Me” is a brilliant record that should be receiving more hype.  Many critics have praised the track, with several including it on year-end best-songs-of -2016 lists.  We missed it on our summative list, but clearly, “Blood on Me” is fantastic.

Sampha • Process • Young Turks • Release: 2.3.17

Photo Credit: Young Turks