Best of CBR Music with Vince Leigh

Sam Sly: Be With You

Sam Sly redefines her take on contemporary pop yet again on her latest release, Be With You. Where previous tracks have utilised a ‘70s/’80s aesthetic, mirroring particular thematical concerns and focus, the new single sharpens that approach, as is perhaps evident from influences such as BENEE, Dua Lipa, and Troye Sivan.

If we consider Be With You as a taster of the six-song EP, the new collection promises to mark a significant evolution in her music—from writing style to production.

Be With You is a more brisk-paced offering than Sam’s previous releases, Palace and Witness. It blends a textured, introspective introduction with clear-cut pop verses that spotlight Sam’s commanding vocal abilities. The production is meticulously crafted and deliberate, embodying the cutting-edge polish that defines today’s contemporary pop soundscape yet maintaining a singular distinction due to an effortlessly arresting vocal performance.

The intro sets a reflective tone, leading into verses with Sam’s vocals at the forefront—a focal point of controlled emotional pull. A pre-chorus breakdown momentarily interrupts, adding a layer of anticipation before transitioning into a robust chorus.

Sam demonstrates her vocal versatility here, intertwining high notes with a hooky chorus, supported by a dynamically atmospheric musical backdrop and enveloping synths. The direct nature of the lyrical content fuses seamlessly with the melodic choices. The structure remains familiar yet contains unexpected elements as the second verse echoes the first’s strengths, enhanced by vocal harmonies.

The song’s architecture cleverly builds towards the chorus’s return, where the hook reassures and entices melodically and connects emotionally through the narrative.

In an unconventional twist, the track doesn’t revert to the expected after the second chorus, instead moving into a bridge that rivals the chorus in hook factor. It then concludes with a musical interlude, drawing from the bridge’s momentum and finishing on a contemplative note.

Be With You is a solid piece in Sam Sly’s expanding catalogue, demonstrating her skill in marrying lyrical sincerity with musical sophistication. It’s a track that respects pop’s traditions while injecting a personal flair, reflecting Sam’s artistic identity without succumbing to overdone theatrics.

Listen to Be With You here!

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