8 Ball Album Love
It’s been almost two months since the release of my debut full-length album, 8 Ball! The response has been incredible and I want to share how grateful I am for all the love. Here are some excerpts:
“Journey To The End Of The Night In One Album” - ExtraVAFrench
In the vibrant veins of Toronto, a murmur spreads, soon turning into a musical roar: it is “8 Ball,” the latest opus from Sam Louis, which bursts onto the stage with raw intensity. This album is like an old vinyl record discovered in a forgotten trunk, except here, each groove is a contemporary revelation, a musical confession carved from the heart of hip-hop and alt-pop.
As soon as you dive into “8 Ball”, you are caught up in this feeling of freefall in a universe where trap beats meet the tormented sensitivity of dark pop. The bass is deep, almost telluric, and the melodies, they fly away light, disturbing, intertwining nostalgia and euphoria. Sam Louis is not just a musician, he is a sound architect, a painter who uses notes instead of colors.
“Sam Louis Shares Debut Album '8 Ball', An Alt-Pop Odyssey of Mental Health And Escapism” - Broken 8 Records
Throughout, '8 Ball' is a fever dream of an album, reflecting Louis’s dark alt-pop style, with trap-like melodies that convey a mix of loss, regret, and euphoric highs. The album's release was highly anticipated, especially after the success of its lead singles 'Burnout', 'Faded Jeans', and 'Chemical'. Each track is a visceral experience, balancing adrenaline-fueled moments with poignant reflections on the darker aspects of mental health.
In interviews, Sam Louis has expressed his desire to push artistic boundaries and create music that offers profound, life-changing moments. '8 Ball' is a testament to this vision, blending raw emotion with polished production to create a distinctive, impactful album. As he continues to evolve as an artist, Louis aims to keep challenging norms and expanding the emotional depth of his music.
“Sam Louis – 8 Ball Album Review” - PUNKIO
The 2nd track on the album is ‘Faded Jeans’, which to me is a emo pop rock anthem in the making, and should be up there with the likes of Lil Used and King Theta, albeit not quite the pop punk sound they have, however there’s definitely something similar to those artists within the structure and vocals on this track.
‘Like A Drug’ is something completely different to ‘Faded Jeans’ and that’s what I love about this album, Sam brings so many different genres to the forefront of the album. The track feels like more of a pop anthem, with the lyrics about a relationship that’s gone wrong, but still being hung up on your ex.
… Overall the album keeps you guessing from start to finish and I absolutely love it!
For more 8 Ball love, click through below…
“Sam Louis Talks About Mental Issues And Escapism on His New Album ‘8 BALL’” - Biography Web
“Sam Louis Journeys Through Escapism With New Album ‘8 Ball’” - Rotate Magazine
“Sam Louis builds a true parallel space on his album ‘8 Ball’” - Music for All
“HYPERSPACE: Best Discoveries of the Week – Episode Ninety-Two” - Space Sour
“Sam Louis Questions the Price of Success in Haunting Alt-Pop Anthem ‘Legacy’” - Rockdafuqout