by Sampha
Released February 3, 2017 via Young Turks
Reviewed February 1, 2022
Top tracks (based on community voting)
Plastic 100° C (71%), Blood On Me (58%), (No One Knows Me) Like the Piano (48%)
Sampha’s Process is a masterclass of a debut, but more importantly, it’s a triumphant score for lifting your head from the depths of grief and loss. The record is often sparse but has a gravity easily attributed to the soulful edge of Sisay’s often harrowing vocals as he perfectly phonates the ever-present devastation in losing your parents at two of the most critical stages in your life. His father lost a battle to lung cancer when Sampha was just ten, and his mother passed under his care when he was 27. Process sees him reclaiming the beauty in the human experience after rebuilding a life that centers around a path toward healing. Warm piano chords and plucky strings pull us through this journey, perfectly balanced with tranquil and contemplative synths and blips that carve out a space in Electro-Soul as a spiritual successor to Quiet Storm in a new medium and millennium. – Henny (9/10)
Coming into 2017, Sampha was one of the most hyped artists without an album, and a lot of the hype arose from his star-studded collaborations. Most would kill to be featured by Drake, Kanye, Beyoncé, and Frank Ocean. However, to many, Sampha was just a pretty backing voice. And not without reason; Dual EP sounded gorgeous, but the songwriting and production could have done with some improvements. Four years later, he showed the wait was beyond worth it. Sampha’s voice can tell a million stories by itself. One could go as far as to liken it to a more emotive sounding James Blake, which is such a strong feat it’s like calling someone a taller Yao Ming. When paired with an improved pen, the combination makes magic. Beautifully written lines like “you don’t know how strong you are” or the genius that is “No One Knows Me” hit like a Mack truck coming from him. It’s been five years since then, and Sampha still hasn’t dropped a follow up. Hopefully whatever comes out of it exceeds expectations like Process did. – Alan (8.8/10)
Sampha has yet to return from his acclaimed 2017 debut, Process, which continues to ring out with exception as a modern classic, with fans eagerly awaiting his sophomore effort. Process has captured the hearts of so many with its emotionally illustrative songwriting: be it sweltering heat, preying wildlife, or the quietness of a prayer, Sampha writes himself into the emotional scenery best fit to highlight his experiences. The singer’s wonderfully resonant and gifted voice excels at selling such emotions, shaping to and blending with intercosmic instrumentals. Each track bends the ear. Earthly piano keys flying against surreal synth strikes to achieve an otherworldly complexion, one that has set Process well apart from the field of alternative R&B albums since its release. – DeVán (8.5/10)
Pablo: 9.5/10 | DeVán: 9/10 | Henny: 9/10 | Alan: 8.8/10 | Hadley: 8.5/10
Jared: 8.5/10 | Daniel: 8.4/10 | Dominick: 8.3/10 | Cam: 8/10
