In late August, Sampha took to Instagram to preview his forthcoming sophomore record Lahai, revealing the inspiration behind the name and album cover art. According to Pitchfork, Sampha has now returned with an official announcement, providing the release date and tracklist. Lahai consists of 14 new songs and is expected to arrive on October 20 via Young. A brand new single and music video entitled “Only” has been shared as a preview of the record.
Sampha will also hit the road in support of the upcoming album. The North American leg of the tour will kick off with a show on October 25 in Los Angeles, California at Hollywood Palladium. He will also be visiting San Francisco, California at Regency Ballroom on October 29, Chicago, Illinois at Vic Theatre on November 1, Toronto, Ontario at Danforth Music Hall on November 4, New York City at Webster Hall on November 7, Washington, D.C. at Howard Theatre on November 10 and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Franklin Music Hall on November 13. The trek will come to an end with a show on November 15 in Atlanta, Georgia at The Eastern.
Earlier this year, in July, Sampha released the third song on Lahai‘s tracklist, “Spirit 2.0” which marked his first new solo music in six years. The song was his first release since the arrival of his debut studio album Process. Sampha live debuted the track at his residency performances in New York and London. The song features a star-studded cast of collaborators Yussef Dayes, El Guincho and Owen Pallet as well as Yaeji and Lisa-Kaindé Diaz of Ibeyi with contributing backup vocals.
Lahai Tracklist
1. Stereo Colour Cloud (Shaman’s Dream)
2. Spirit 2.0
3. Dancing Circles
4. Suspended
5. Satellite Business
6. Jonathan L. Seagull
7. Inclination Compass (Tenderness)
8. Only
9. Time Piece
10. Can’t Go Back
11. Evidence
12. Wave Therapy
13. What If You Hypnotise Me?
14. Rose Tint
Sampha Fall 2023 North American Dates
10/25 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
10/29 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Ballroom
11/01 – Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
11/04 – Toronto, Ontario – Danforth Music Hall
11/07 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
11/10 – Washington, D.C. – Howard Theatre
11/13 – Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall
11/15 – Atlanta, GA – The Eastern