Samuel Jack has achieved a landmark moment in his career to date as he releases his debut album ‘The Gold & The Glory’. He launches the album by paying a special tribute to his late father, the man who inspired Samuel’s first steps upon this journey, with the poignant new song ‘Chat Dad.
Released ahead of Father’s Day this Sunday, ‘Chat Dad’ is the most affecting moment of an intensely personal and reflective debut album. Accompanied by little more than a piano, Samuel opens up his emotions for the world to hear: the longing and the loneliness that comes with grief, the life-long shared love overpowering the rare moments of conflict that come within any relationship.
The most touching moment comes with “I hope you know I tried to do you proud / Wish you could see it, Dad, and hear me now.” And pride is exactly what he would be feeling if he could hear his debut album ‘The Gold & The Glory’ which is out now. He says: “‘Chat Dad’ is one of those songs that reminds me why I became a songwriter in the first place.
“Music is such a cathartic experience for me, and writing this song really helped me whilst I was in grieving. It's like a letter to my dad. I miss our chats. I miss him. I hope that even in a small way that this song can do the same for anyone that has lost someone.” Samuel wrote ‘Chat Dad’ with Chris Young (Jack Savoretti, Ella Eyre) and produced it with Owen Thomas (Hayley Kiyoko).
In addition to the recent tracks ‘Borderline’, ‘Sun Goes Down’ and ‘Those Days’, ‘The Gold & The Glory’ finds Samuel reflecting upon memorable moments - both good and bad - in his life. There’s plenty of essential new material for fans to unpack, with highlights including the lovelorn ‘Amsterdam’, the dramatic, gospel-flavoured ‘Home To You’, the funk-meets-hip-hop flow of ‘Ruin Myself’ and the sheer passion of the title track. Throughout, Samuel’s voice is the star turn - sometimes soaring, sometimes gritty but always affecting in his ability to bring emotions to life.
A UK singer-songwriter who spent much of his childhood in Johannesburg, Samuel Jack’s first official releases came in 2016 before deepening his artists with three ‘Empty Pockets Crowded Hearts’ EPs. His breakthrough moment came unexpectedly in the middle of lockdown when his track ‘Feels Like Summer’, released a year earlier, became one of the first songs to go viral with TikTok leading to over 50 million streams.
Since then, Samuel has gone from strength-to-strength, with much more to come. Samuel celebrates the release of ‘The Gold & The Glory’ earlier this week by playing a special intimate launch show tonight in London at Servant Jazz Quarters.
