Album Review: Sam Himself – Never Let Me Go

A revival of the past meshed with celebration of the present

Never Let Me Go is an extremely well put together project, surprisingly familiar yet fresh at the same time. Sam Himself combines the sounds of an analog 80’s heartbreak with modern indie, alluding to an almost surf rock house party vibe, yet one that would take place in a retro setting similar to the TV show Stranger Things. Never Let Me Go is an abruptly “real” album in the sense that it conveys sharp emotion as well as a sense of value. This album will put the listener in a certain mood, depending on what they are going through. That’s the point of good music though, right? 

Never Let Me Go is entertaining yet thought provoking. The instrumental arrangements and vocals are extremely easy to listen to, hence giving off a more a listenable radio polish. However, some of the lyrics are blatantly gut-wrenching. Sam Himself plays upon feelings of love, heartbreak, time and trust. Certain songs like “Golden Days” and “Left of Me” are brutally honest in their lyricism, painting an image of frontman Sam Koechlin’s life. Ironically, these sad lyrics are paired with positivity, not only in the music, but in the overall aesthetic of Never Let Me Go. In the Spotify video clips for this album as well as official videos released featuring his new music, Koechlin is seen smiling, dancing and overall enjoying himself, allowing the music to act as a positive outlet for the pain. These visuals say a lot about the artist’s journey not only as a musician, but as a human being too. 

On top of this, the music is simply catchy. Each track presents itself as something that could be popular in the 80’s as well as today, with a great chance of it being appreciated in between time periods as well. Koechlin turns his darkness into light on Never Let Me Go, making the most of situations while uncovering gold in the process. This album is perfect for those who wish to feel something deep without getting too lost in their emotions. Sam Himself found something special within Never Let Me Go, perfectly curated for the complex, varied human brain.